Red Mile: R Melina conquers field in Kentucky Filly Futurity

R Melina and driver Todd McCarthy had to do all of the heavy lifting during a contentious $301,550 Kentucky Futurity filly division on Sunday afternoon at The Red Mile, but the gritty daughter of Chapter Seven was up to the task, annexing the prestigious event in a career-best 1:50 1/5 clocking.

An 11-filly field went postward, with R Melina starting from post two and getting away quickly, with McCarthy allowing Miss I La and driver Joe Bongiorno to get to the front but just briefly. With Hambletonian Oaks winner Warrawee Michelle looking for control, McCarthy quickly moved before the 26 2/4 opening fraction to seize the lead. Warrawee Michelle would move towards the lead but was followed closely by Allegiant and a host of others in the second tier.

"There was a bit of a line behind Ake," said McCarthy, "So I pushed on."

The move turned out to be a winner for R Melina, with Warrawee Michelle parked through a brutal 53 2/5 opening half and Allegiant not keeping with that cover second-over. The third quarter slowed for the leader, but the lack of outer tier flow forced the hand of Andy McCarthy, who moved Buy A Round three-wide early on the closing turn, followed at a distance by Date Night Hanover and Dexter Dunn.

R Melina shook off Warrawee Michalle by three-quarters in 1:22 flat, and, when faced with Buy A Round's challenge, shook that filly off in short order and under encouragement drew clear of the field. Miss I La hung in gamely through the stretch for the place spot, with Sambuca Hanover and David Miller finding room and closing for third.

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Owned by M & L of Delaware, along with Alabama Harness Associates, R Melina won for the eighth time in 14 tries this year for trainer John Butenschoen. As a 5-1 offering she returned $12 to win.

"She's a tough and gritty little thing," Butenschoen said as a compliment to the filly that pushed her career bankroll to seven figures with the victory.

Spy Coast and driver Yannick Gingras made two moves to claim the front and breezed to a 1:50 3/5 effort in capturing the $25,000 Filly consolation. The daughter of Walner, trained by Ron Burke, shook off a bid by Pizzelle, who settled for second, with Star Attraction third in the mile.