Filly Trotters Fight In Four Stakes At The Red Mile

At The Red Mile this week, our “Countdown” covers four divisions of the International Stallion Stakes (ISS) for two-year-old filly trotters on Wednesday, Oct. 7, noting those eligible for the Breeders Crown (e). These are important miles as the eliminations near and because freshmen cannot supplement to the seasonal-championship series.

The first two ISS events go for $66,500 each. The second two go for $67,500.

ISS number one for the day features a field of six, most likely headlined by Celebrity Eventsy (e), Staffan Lind’s productive femme. She seems to have it all over this field, not just for her three-of-eight wins but also for her seven-of-eight in-the-money record. Jimmy Takter sends out Gifted Lady (e) and Lookin Sharp, the obvious second choice. This leaves us with a contender that may be third choice or worse, giving her decent wagering value in a short field—Silvia (e). Ron Burke’s filly has everything to gain winning this one because it will all but assure she gets into the box for the division’s Crown elim. For us, though, it may mean a good payoff for investing in this race.

Another sextet makes up round two and here we have a very good reason and chance to go with the maiden, Precocious Miss. Trained and driven by the lesser-known Rocky Ward, she has only raced twice, earning nothing and if you put all that together with no Breeders Crown in her future at two, she becomes the greatest outsider here. Two races are not enough to judge her correctly, of course, and although Haughty (e) is undefeated, the remainder of the field leaves a bit to be desired. Precocious Miss could be better than all of us can judge from only two starts and as an exotic partner could add weight to a payoff with Haughty.

Next, seven characters go for an ISS win. The two Takter-trained fillies do not hover over the talent here unless you embrace the obvious. Cree (e), a Muscle Hill filly from the Trond Smedshammer barn, has been cashing checks and improving. Her best time so far distracts the crowd (she probably has not gone peak speed in a mere eight starts), raising her odds, and a good trip wouldn’t hurt to force her to turn on a swift late charge.

The nightcap also puts seven on the red clay surface, with Kathy Parker (e) geared to be the public choice along with Julie Miller’s Womans Will (e). However, Goosebump Hanover (e), for Burke, deserves more attention as third-on choice.

Follow major BC hopefuls on their road to the Breeders Crown at Woodbine at the Breeders Crown Countdown blog and the TwinSpires harness blog weekly, with archived reports on the results at the Hambletonian Society web site.