Red Mile: Swift mile by Dancin Lou in Kentucky Sire Stakes

Driver Andrew McCarthy pushed Dancin Lou to the lead through a quick tempo and widened his advantage through the stretch to win the faster of two $30,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes (KYSS) second preliminary divisions for 3-year-old male pacers on Sunday, Aug. 25 at The Red Mile.

Western Exposure left for the front from post eight while Pyro tucked into the pocket. Even-money favorite Native’s Sweetlou raced third before tipping off the pylons with Dancin Lou in tow heading to a 27 1/5 first quarter. Native’s Sweetlou took the lead up the backside but yielded for the pocket as Dancin Lou marched by to control the pace past a 53 2/5 half. Dancin Lou then withstood a minor late challenge from Native’s Sweetlou past three-quarters in 1:20 4/5 on his way to an open-length victory in 1:48 3/5. Native’s Sweetlou held second from Odds On Boca Raton, who was rallying from last for third.

A son of Sweet Lou bred by Anvil & Lace Farm, Dancin Lou won his seventh race from 12 starts this season and his eighth from 22 overall, earning $105,203. Tahnee Camilleri conditions the $6.80 winner for owners David Kryway and 1362313 Ontario Ltd.

Odds-on favorite Can’t Beach That swept to the front passing the half and maintained command en route to a 1:49 victory in the $30,000 opening division of Kentucky Sire Stakes for the sophomore colt and gelding pacers.

Captain Ahab cleared control from the outermost post with stablemate Major Deception securing the pocket and Can’t Beach That, starting from post one, moving into third. Captain Ahab took the field by the first quarter in 27 4/5 but yielded the lead as Can’t Beach That blitzed to the top past a 54 3/5 half.

Skip To My Lou—under a tight hold—edged outside and advanced towards Can’t Beach That moving to the final turn, pressing the pace-setter towards three-quarters in 1:21 4/5. Can’t Beach That extended his lead through the stretch while Captain Ahab slid through an inside seam for second while Skip To My Lou finished third, but was placed fourth due to flattening the tire of Major Deception, who finished fourth but was placed third, past the half.

Winning his fifth race from 10 starts this season and his sixth from 19 overall, Can’t Beach That has earned $99,104 for owner-breeder Melvin Segal and co-owners Kentuckiana Racing Stable and Eddie Gran. Chris Page steered the $3.00 winner for trainer Brett Pelling.

Beautyonthebeach brushed to the front and faced little challenge when taking the lone $30,000 KYSS split for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

Driver Brett Miller placed Beautyonthebeach fourth while Summer Charm led the field towards a 27 4/5 opening quarter. Miller then angled the Gregg McNair-trained daughter of Somebeachsomewhere wide and rushed to the top before a 55 4/5 half.

Carousel pulled first-over from sixth heading towards the final turn and approached the pace-setter moving to three-quarters in 1:23 3/5, but promptly retreated when straightening for the finish. Beautyonthebeach kicked clear of her competition by the eighth pole to win by open lengths in 1:50 4/5. Hydration weaved through competition off a pylon trip to take second while Margret Hill rallied through the center of the track for third.

A homebred for James Avritt Sr., Beautyonthebeach won her third race from 10 starts this season and her eighth from 23 overall, earning $334,873. She paid $2.60 to win.

--press release (The Red Mile)--