Red Mile: Kentucky Sires Stakes season starts for rookies

Dancinginthedark M went an eye-catching 1:52 3/5 mile to lead the way in Kentucky Sires Stakes action for 2-year-old trotters of both sexes on Sunday afternoon at The Red Mile.

Racing in the last of three flights for colts and geldings, Dancinginthedark M (Dave Palone) cleared to the lead after the 56 4/5 half and went on to three-quarters in 1:25 2/5. Through the lane Dancinginthedark M poured it on, opening up to the wire on his way to a 6 1/4 length win over Bidensky (Mattias Melander). Boaster Coaster (Mark MacDonald) was the third-place finisher.

Trained by Marcus Melander, who was first and second in the event, Dancinginthedark M is a colt by 2018 Prix d'Amerique champion Readly Express and is a homebred for Menhammar Stuteri AB. Out of the Andover Hall mare Leila, Dancinginthedark M has won both of his career starts, has banked $29,411, and paid $3.40 to win as the favorite.

Menhammar Stuteri AB was also the winning owner in the first section for fillies, as their Dutiful (by Trixton) was victorious from first-over in 1:54 3/5 for driver Mike Wilder and trainer Jonas Czernyson.

While he was third in the two above-mentioned divisions, MacDonald enjoyed a productive day, winning three of the seven Kentucky Sires Stakes tilts. He took the first colt and gelding race with Cricket Fashion (by Muscle Hill) in 1:55 2/5 for trainer Jim Campbell and owner Fashion Farms LLC., the second filly event with Beautiful Game (by Muscle Hill) in 1:55 for trainer Nifty Norman and owners Mel Hartman, David McDuffee, and Enzed Racing Stable Inc., and the third grouping for fillies with undefeated Lady Chaos (by Cantab Hall) in 1:54 2/5 for trainer Linda Toscano and owners Richard Gutnick, Tom Pontone, Joseph Lozito Jr., and Enviro Stables Ltd.

The other Kentucky Sires Stakes victors on Sunday were colt and gelding fair circuit champion Cuatro De Julio (by Trixton), who stepped up to the top level and tallied in 1:54 for driver Al Eferstein, trainer Marie Ortolan-Bar, and owner D Farm LLC., and filly The Queen B (by Muscle Hill), who pulled a 25-1 upset by winning in 1:55 2/5 for driver Joe Bongiorno, trainer Ron Burke, and owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Phil Collura, J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby, and Ras Racing LLC.