Red Mile: Swift performances throughout International Stallion Stakes for freshmen male pacers

Workin Ona Mystery ran his record to an unblemished five-for-five with a 1:49 3/5 mile in the first of five International Stallion Stakes divisions for 2-year-old male pacers on Saturday afternoon at The Red Mile.

Driver Tim Tetrick kept Workin Ona Mystery on the outside from post eight in the early going, and he was able to get to the point just past the 27-second opening quarter. A 54 3/5 half and a 1:23 three-quarters followed that, and Workin Ona Mystery finished with a 26 3/5 final panel to win by two lengths. Fellow Brian Brown trainee Rock Candy (David Miller) was the second-place finisher, and World On Edge (Matt Kakaley) was third.

"He's fast and did it really easy," said Tetrick.

Workin On Mystery is a Captaintreacherous-Dragon's Tale (Dragon Again) colt owned by James Stambaugh, Alan Keith, Milt Leeman, and Wingfield Brothers LLC. With the winner's share of the $62,000 purse, he boosted his earnings to $100,400 to go with his perfect record. Workin Ona Mystery was bred by White Birch Farm and was a $30,000 buy at last year's Standardbred Horse Sale in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Sent off at 1-9, he paid $2.20 to win.

The world record of 1:49 for a 2-year-old colt pacer was threatened throughout the splits, but couldn't quite be reDerick GiwnerNo Mas Amor blew up the toteboard at 114-1ached. No Mas Amor (Kakaley) and Captain Crunch got the closest, both finishing in 1:49 1/5.

No Mas Amor, a maiden sent off at 114-1, worked out a second-over trip in the third $63,000 section and rallied through the lane to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Air Force Hanover (David Miller) was second after providing the cover to the winner, and Yacht Week (Christian Lind) was third at 134-1.

"I like this guy. I've always liked him," remarked Kakaley. "The trip worked out perfectly today."

A Sweet Lou-No More Loving (Western Hanover) colt, No Mas Amor is trained by Ron Burke for owner Ken Jacobs. This was No Mas Amor's first win in his eighth try, and he has now put away $61,056. He was bred by Sherri Meirs and David Meirs II and was a $110,000 purchase at the Standardbred Horse Sale. No Mas Amor returned $230.80 to win.

In the next $62,000 contest, Captain Crunch (Scott Zeron) sat on the inside in the pocket and then the three-hole through fractions of 26 3/5, 54 4/5, and 1:22, then found room up the inside in the lane to rally. He would collar and overtake leader Sugar Factory (Corey Callahan) late in the going, winning by three-parts of a length. Proof (David Miller), who was the favorite, could only finish evenly from first-up and had to settle for third.

Captain Crunch won his first three starts, but then was third in the Champlain and missed the Metro final after a sixth-place finish in his elimination. Marcus Johansson, husband of winning trainer Nancy Johansson, said sickness was the big problem the last two times.

"We changed the bit on him, but mostly he simply got sick up in Canada, and that was the problem," he explained.

3 Brothers Stables, Christina Takter, Rojan Stables, and Caviart Farms own Captain Crunch, a Captaintreacherous-Sweet Paprika (Artiscape) colt who was bred by Walnridge Farm Inc. and Sherri Meirs and was taken out of the Standardbred Horse Sale for $85,000. He now has a record of 4-0-1 from six trips behind the gate, and he has pocketed $85,946. A 4-1 shot, he paid $10.80 to win.

The other International Stallion Stakes winners on the day were Captain Trevor (Andrew McCarthy) and Mangogh (Tetrick).

Captain Trevor, who had been four-for-four in his career before third- and fourth-place finishes in the Kentucky Sires Stakes Final and Bluegrass, had a third-over journey off fractions of 27 1/5, 54 4/5, and 1:22 1/5 in the second $62,000 flight, then came with a wide charge and a 26 3/5 final quarter to get up and win by a length and a quarter in 1:49 2/5. Blood Money (Gingras) finished second, and Smooth Lou (Zeron) was a first-over third.

"If they give me a trip like that he'll be very tough," said McCarthy about future engagements, including the Breeders Crown.

Tony Alagna trains Captain Trevor, a Captaintreacherous-It Was Fascination (American Ideal) colt, for owners Brittany Farms LLC., Marvin Katz, Brad Grant, and Captain Trevor Racing. Captain Trevor was bred by The Bays Stable LLC., Riverview Breeding LLC., and Visionary Breeders LLC. and was acquired for $75,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale. He visited the winner's circle for the fifth time, and he has now banked $113,404. A 6-1 offering, he returned $14.80 to win.

"Moving to the front wasn't working for him, so we decided to change tactics," relayed Alagna.

Mangogh gave Tetrick bookend victories by winning the $63,000 nightcap in 1:50 3/5. He was stacked up on cover from fourth-over, but a 27 1/5 last quarter got him to the wire three-parts of a length to the good. Covered Bridge (David Miller) was a game second after being parked first-up and challenging throughout, and Loutenant (Kakaley) got third.

Trained by Bruce Saunders, the winning Western Ideal-My Little Artist (Real Artist) colt is owned by M And L Of Delaware LLC. and M And M Harness Racing LLC. Mangogh, who was bred by White Birch Farm and grabbed up for $63,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale, now has four triumphs to go with a bankroll of $117,980. Mangogh was the 2-1 second choice and paid $6.00 to win.