Lexington Junior League - Monday Evening
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
The Red Mile is in the midst of a bit of a facelift. In
reality, it is more like total body reconstruction as far as the grandstand is
concerned. But as soon as you step foot on that apron or step hoof in that long
and storied ring, absolutely nothing has changed. Show Manager Kent Moeller has
been preaching patience since day one of this project, knowing well the
challenges that this year would bring. We are dealing with mild inconveniences.
That’s all. And the future looks exceptionally bright. Money is being poured
into the Red Mile at an exceptional rate, and the improvements are well
underway. It wasn’t very long ago that we were having the discussion about how
long we would have this historic venue before it became more campus apartments!
That day is well offc into the distance now. So we have to walk a few extra feet
this time. So our stalls are in a tent this year. Just stick with Kent and his
insanely hardworking crew for this year, and the benefits will be huge.
First to find out that the track is in exceptional shape was
a first-time Lexington participant. Reagan Campbell made her Red Mile debut a
spectacular one, making one of the best shows of the night with CH Real Action.
Winners of the 13-and-Under Three-Gaited blue here, this team has now taken
five victory passes in their first season together. Owned by Darby, Ann, and
Reagan Campbell, Real Action is trained by Bill and Lisa Waller. Another team
showing in their first full season together, My Hail Mary and Clayton Stinnett
made a good show in reserve for WoodLea Farms LLC. Trained by Smith Lilly, My
Hail Mary was the Three-Gaited Over 15.2 Reserve World’s Champion just last
year and a World’s Champion the year before that. The top two in this class
certainly carry impressive resumes! The impeccably bred Callaway’s Silent
Partner earned a spot in the top three with Alyssa Grace Ridings up for Helen
Rich. Sirtainly Stylish and Jessica Manzo finished fourth in this field of
nine.
Miss Olivia O’Claire has had plenty of success on the Red
Mile, ever since 2004, when Steve Demjen rode her to a reserve prize in the
Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited Stake. By Radiant Sultan and out of Incredible
Folly, by Spring Valley’s Deliverance, Miss Olivia O’Claire is now under the
direction of Craig and Kathi Hummel. With a Country Pleasure Driving win
tonight, she has now won on this track three years in a row, with four different drivers. Clayton Caldwell made the winning drive tonight for owner Etta Caldwell, while
Taylor Toth took a spin last year and Lindsey Mason did the honors in 2013. The
2013 win came in Junior Exhibitor Show Pleasure Driving. Champions of Syracuse
just a week ago, Surprise Kiss and Elaine Earlywine traveled southwest with the
Jan Lukens caravan to earn the reserve prize. Also the champions at Devon this
year, they were top three in the Show Pleasure Driving Championship here last
year. In another big class of nine, the son of Callaway’s Northern Kiss and a
Radiant Sultan mare made a stylish show for his owner and driver. Mardi Gras
Memories and Dr. Randy McBride finished third, with CH My Stiletto and Debbie
Marcum in fourth.
It’s hard to believe that the Carly Rae Jepsen song, “Call
Me Maybe” came out so long ago, but the three fillies who are named with some
reference to the song in their registered names show us that that is the case.
One of those fillies added a Red Mile win to her credit tonight, as Nutcracker’s
Call Me Maybe was the UPHA Park Pleasure Classic winner with Kevin Tomasko.
Obviously by Undulata’s Nutcracker, she is out of CH Callaway’s Rhapsody In
Blue, a full sister to Callaway’s Guy Park, Callaway’s No More Mr. Nice Guy,
and all of the other great sons and daughters of Callaway’s Blue Norther and
Broodmare Hall of Fame mare Sweet Sachet. She is owned and developed by Phoenix
Prophecies LLC. By Deep Blue and out of Madeira’s Love, Fox Grape’s Love Bug
was ridden to reserve honors by Steve Wheeler. Fully a member of the Fox Grape
breeding program, Love Bug claims the lovely World’s Champion walk-trot mare as
her dam and the Fox Grape-owned Deep Blue as her sire. This was the show ring
debut for the filly.
Also in a group of three, Jeff McClean drove Heartland Road
Show to the Amateur Hackney Pony blue for Golden Creek Farms. Undefeated on the
season so far, Road Show was the amateur champion at Midwest Charity last
month. He and Mary Gaylord McClean were the Amateur Reserve World’s Champion of
Champions last year. Alexis Lewis always looks to be having a great time at the
lines. She drove CH The Final Contender to the reserve prize under the
direction of Jim McIntosh and Mindy Preston. This was Alexis’ first trip over
the hallowed ground of the Red Mile, but she made the most of it. She showed
three ponies tonight in her first ever Lexington performance!
A high octane group blasted down the long straightaways in
the 14-17 Five-Gaited class. With 13 entries, it was an action-packed class of
top quality. Emma Sanchez continued what has been a great season for her,
taking He’s In Style to the top spot for Sharyn Lackey. Trained by Peter and
Kim Cowart, He’s In Style was the Ladies Five-Gaited Reserve World’s Champion
of Champions last year with Kim aboard and the 2013 Ladies World’s Champion of
Champions. Emma has really got his number this year, fresh off a bigtime sweep
of the blues at Midwest Charity. Another by Deep Blue, he is out of She’s In
Style, by Desert’s Supreme Memories. Similarly named but unrelated, He’s Born
To Royalty was the reserve winner here with Catherine Wheeler aboard for Ceil
and Kenny Wheeler. A son of CH Callaway’s Born To Win and Reserve World’s
Champion Princess Nora BR, He’s Born To Royalty has primarily been a breeding
stallion for most of his life. With a minor adjustment, he is now eligible for
the junior exhibitor ranks, taking the red ribbon here under the direction of
Smith Lilly. Taylor Woods made a great ride for third aboard Liquid Courage for
La Dolce Vita Farms, while Jessi McCurry and My Dreamboat Annie were fourth for
Double Doc Farms.
It was a solo show in the Amateur Roadster Under Saddle, but
CH Vivacious is always a welcome sight on the Red Mile. She and Dr. Holly
Ackerman went through their work for the blue tonight, their third year in a
row to win this title. It was also her last show ring appearance as the great
mare is being retired.
Ceil Wheeler continued a good night for Mercer Springs with a
win in the Amateur Three-Gaited 15.2 and Under class aboard Callaway’s Naughty
& Nice. This daughter of Callaway’s Blue Norther and The Supreme Machine
has all the spunk and sass you want in a walk-trot mare, especially and under
two horse. She was the World’s Champion in this division a year ago and the
Amateur Three-Gaited Reserve World’s Champion of Champions as well. Also by
Blue Norther, Callaway’s Count Your Blessings took the red prize in second with
Jenn Katko up. Directed by Judd Stables, this was the second year in a row for
this team to earn this ribbon. Count Your Blessings is out of the great
Broodmare Hall of Famer Callaway’s Agatha Christie, but it’s no mystery what
makes her special. She was the Ladies Three-Gaited 15.2 and Under winner here
in 2013. Miraculous Chorus and Amery Creighton finished third for Cheval Farm
LLC, while High Heels And A Smile and Annika Bruggeworth were fourth.
Another winner from Golden Creek Farms, Heartland
Demonstrator made a top performance for the Ladies Harness Pony blue. Mary
Gaylord McClean drove to this prize under the direction of Tom Lowry. Also a
winner in two trips at Midwest, Demonstrator was the Amateur Harness Pony World’s
Champion of Champions last year with Mary at the lines. This team also took the
amateur championship here at Lexington last year. Heartland Crimson Rose and
Alicia Schuckert drove to reserve for Faydelle Schott. Crimson Rose is by
Heartland Code Of Honor and out of Heartland Red Rose, by Dun-Haven Bandolier.
Best of the bunch in the Junior Five-Gaited Stallion/Gelding
class was Mountjoy’s Extra Nice. Shown to the blue by owner Tre Lee, he is by
The King Of Highpoint son, Mountjoy’s Knight, and out of a Callaway’s Extra
Extra mare. His dam, Love Me Tender Sweet Sophie Rose, is line bred Will
Shriver. Extra Nice was a winner here a year ago as well in the UPHA Five-Gaited
Classic, going on to win a Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited World’s Championship. A
stallion son of My Royale Charm, My Royale Flush was reserve here with T.J.
Santaferra, who has done a masterful job in his time working with Kathy Capsuto
Walker’s Escalade Stables. With his first crop due in 2016, Royale Flush is out
of a South African-bred daughter of the grand stallion, Arborlane Tangos Wee
Pee (SA). Maria Gilman and Samurai finished in third for Barbara Woods.
What a debut season it has been for Milan Kordestani and CH
His Supreme Reflection. Directed by Jennifer Dixon, His Supreme Reflection is
back under saddle again and has yet to be beaten with Milan aboard, showing in
mostly amateur and open classes on the West Coast. Tonight they took on a
scheduled group of 13 junior exhibitors and came away as the Junior Exhibitor
Three-Gaited Park winners for Omid and Milan Kordestani. The Amateur Fine
Harness Reserve Champion here a year ago, His Supreme Reflection hasn’t missed
a beat in his storied career. This new team made their eighth victory pass of
the season in this one. Fresh off championship wins at Syracuse International
and UPHA 14 Spring Premiere, Anderson Cooper represented the East Coast in this
one with Kimberly Earlywine riding for Elaine Earlywine. Jan Lukens directs
this team that also took a reserve championship in the amateur division at
Devon. Anderson Cooper is by Attache’s Royal Assets and out of a Callaway’s
Blue Norther mare. Caroline Rainbolt Forbes and Watermark’s A Kiss For Luck
were third in this tough group, followed by The Invincible and Lindsay Slemmons
in fourth.
Costa Nostra made a rocked back and strutting performance to
win the Ladies Fine Harness class with Phyllis Brookshire. Under the direction
of one of the Red Mile masters, Matt Shiflet, Costa Nostra was the Amateur Fine
Harness Champion at Asheville earlier this year. The black gelding is by The
Harlem Renaissance and out of an Irish Connection mare. Matt had him here as a
four-year-old as well, earning reserve in the Junior Fine Harness class that
year on his way to the Junior Fine Harness Stallion/Gelding World’s
Championship. Another black beauty, Kalarama’s New York Lady was a strong
reserve with Vicki Reed at the lines. Trained by A.J. Bruwer, New York Lady is
by I’m A New Yorker and out of Lady Whitney. The Amateur Fine Harness Champion
here a year ago, New York Lady exudes a charisma and class that is tough to
beat.
As we mentioned earlier, He’s Born To Royalty was for a long
time a breeding stallion. His daughter, Nightingale Princess, topped the Junior
Three-Gaited 15.2-and-Under class tonight in her show ring debut. Robert
Gardiner made the winning ride for Katie and Carolne Moeller. Nightingale
Princess is out of the gray mare, Callaway’s Gale, by Callaway’s Blue Norther. George
Schmid was reserve aboard Souper Salad. An entry of Carl T. Fischer Jr., Souper
Salad is by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of Eyee Gadzooks, by Periaptor. They
were Junior Fine Harness winners at Rock Creek.
The Limit Hackney Pony class delivered another blue for
Golden Creek Farms. Heartland Dressed To Impress was the winner here with Jeff
McClean driving. While this is a well-known name in the pony world, Dressed To
Impress is new to this particular division. This is his first year as a cob-tail,
having been the Amateur Road Pony 50-52” Reserve World’s Champion last year. He
is now three for three at the park trot. Alexis Lewis continued her first night
on the Red Mile with a second reserve win behind a Golden Creek entry. She
drove Extremely Supreme Star to the red ribbon for the Linda Lewis Estate.
Extremely Supreme Star is by The Extremist and out of Truly A Impressive Star.
Janet Crampton and Callaway’s Hint Of Heaven scored the trip
down victory lane in the Ladies Five-Gaited Mare class for Alde-Mar Farms. Hint
Of Heaven is by Callaway’s Ghost Writer and out of Callaway’s Glimpse Into The
Future, by Callaway’s Blue Norther. This was the second time for Janet and Hint
Of Heaven to hit the ring together. Maria Gilman showed her own Tango Mango to
the reserve win. This was the second year in a row for the daughter of Dorian
Warriors Song and Callaway’s Spring Fever to take this prize. Emily Candelaria
rode Tango Mango to a win at Asheville in the 13-and-under division.
Roadster to Wagon Champion at Midwest Charity, Ice Man made
a nice solo show tonight to win the Roadster to Wagon class with James Nichols.
Owned by Betty Tucker, Ice Man was the Roadster to Wagon Champion at the Royal
last year as well.
Karla Moritz picked up where she left off at Shelby County
Fair, taking another victory pass aboard CH Callaway’s Lil Abner. This time it
was as the 13-and-Under Five-Gaited winner under the direction of Milo Jones.
Lil Abner is by CH Caramac and out of the Broodmare Hall of Famer Town Flower,
by Yorktown. While the winner is 16 years old and going strong, the reserve winner
is 17! CH Sunken Treasure has long been a star for High Caliber Stables.
Abigail Tabor was the rider again tonight for Allen and McGee Bosworth. They
were 13-and-Under Five-Gaited Champions at JD Massey earlier this year. CH
Walterway’s Pardon Me and Emily Candelaria finished third, followed by Kolby
Blaker Smith and Midnight Senor.
Juan Rios drove off with the Limit Road Pony blue at the
lines of Regal’s Perfect Song. An entry of Doug Mesker, Perfect Song is by
Dun-Haven Regal Attraction and out of Perfection’s Love Song LF. Kirstie Buerkley
has taken the last three victory passes with Perfect Song at Shelby County
Fair, Lawrenceburg, and Midwest Charity. Also a winner at Shelby County Fair
and Lawrenceburg, The Lone Ranger was the reserve winner tonight with Tom Lowry
driving for Golden Creek Farms. Lowry drove Lone Ranger to an undefeated season
last year, taking the UPHA Road Pony Classic National Championship.
Another contender for Best Performance of the Night, HS Baby
Steps was spot on to win the Ladies Three-Gaited Over 15.2 with Misdee Wrigley
Miller. Baby Steps has become an ironic name for this daughter of Sir William
Robert and I Am The Dream, as she takes anything but baby steps. With a huge,
open way of going, she drove up under herself in high style tonight under the direction
of Larry Hodge and Danny Lockhart at Kalarama. This team is now five for five
on the season. Lisa Strickland and A Sweet Inspiration took the red prize in
second for Dr. Mary Ling. A Sweet Inspiration is by Undulata’s Nutcracker and
out of Sweet Illusion W.F., the dam of World’s Grand Champion An Heir About
Her.
The string of dams by Callaway’s Blue Norther continued
strong in the Five-Gaited Gelding Stake, as I’m A Blues Man took that title
with Robert Gardiner. Sired by I’m A New Yorker, Blues Man is out of CH
Callaway’s Potpourri, by Blue Norther. Sweet Sachet (BHF) makes another
appearance in our write up of Monday night, as she is the second dam of the
gelding champion. Potpourri was the former teammate of the owner and breeder of
I’m A Blues Man, Carolyn Moore Miller. Fresh off wins in the gaited stakes at
Shelby County Fair and Lawrenceburg, Melinda Moore settled for a good reserve
aboard Sabotage. Melinda owns the son of Castle Bravo and The Small Town Blues.
They were reserve champions in the Five-Gaited Jackpot Stake at Rock Creek.
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