Harness Racing: Bluegrass Stakes previews for The Red Mile

On Sunday, Oct. 4, the Grand Circuit’s first week of harness racing offers a program worth pursuing for bettors.

A dozen Bluegrass Stakes are the features, so let's take a look at every one.

Race 1: 3-year-old males pace

A striking performance from #6 Cattlewash in last week’s Little Brown Jug on the Ohio half-mile track makes us focus upon him for the two-turn Kentucky mile.

#2 Sandbetweenmytoes, a Jug heat winner, will also be in the thick of the finish here, with a nod to #5 Moneyman Hill as a surprise element at the wire.

Race 2: 3-year-old males trot

Racing beneath the radar all season, #6 EL Ideal has earned top dollars for Ake Svanstedt.

He most certainly deserves a serious chance to win in this group and may be accompanied by his trainer’s other entry, #2 King Alphonso.

Race 3: 3-year-old fillies pace

Tony Alagna’s division-star #5 Reflect With Me is the class of this race but will be challenged by #3 Hen Party. #1 Baby You’re the Best will compete fully.

Race 4: 3-year-old fillies trot

We nailed a great price for the Old Oaken Bucket filly #4 Sans Defaut, when she beat the colts at the Jug meet. Up against her division, she could put in an awesome mile.

Testing that scenario is #2 Love A Good Story and #5 Next Level Stuff.

Race 5: 3-year-old males pace

A possible outsider who can tumble the results here is #6 Tell Them Lou. Jim Campbell’s colt has been competitive after he won a PA All-Stars event. He won’t be nearly a public choice with a good chance to upset.

#4 Elver Hanover could take total charge of this.

Race 6: 3-year-old males trot

Hambletonian cast members will meet again in this spot.

Still looking for a win in 2020, under performer #2 Capricornus is in the perfect spot to get his first win and cap a season with a Breeders Crown victory.

Svanstedt’s #6 Back Of The Neck could offer a better price than he deserves, which should attract smart bettors.

Race 7: 3-year-old fillies pace

She is undefeated in 11 starts this season, the queen of the division, and a winner of more than $500,000. She is #4 Party Girl Hill, and she has beaten them all except the one she has yet to race against — #3 Merga Hanover, who is lightly raced and has yet to be tested like this.

Race 8: 3-year-old males trot

Svanstedt’s #8 Jula Trix Treasure has been knocked around a bit since August, but has improved and is getting some luck.

Of all the Hambo final entries, #4 Hollywood Story has not won since but has a class edge to upset or finish far better than usual. Watch the betting for support.

Race 9: 3-year-old fillies pace

This is a tight race with many arguments for entries.

Our argument centers around #6 New Year. She was a strong second in the Jugette, when she stalked Party Girl Hill and maintained the place spot as the best of the rest.

Linda Toscano’s #7 Rocknificent is always in the hunt at the end and finished third, behind Party Girl Hill, over #2 JK First Lady, a likely public choice here.

Race 10: 3-year-old fillies trot

The royalty here is #2 Sorella, who will face #5 Hypnotic AM and #7 Sister Sledge.

The latter gets our vote for price and purpose. She is the most consistent of the three and recently showed better place finishes than the others’ wins.

Race 11: 3-year-old males pace

There is no solid argument for any other but #1 Tall Dark Stranger.

This field is as competitive for him as Goliath was to David, and do not be fooled by #6 Captain Barbossa’s Jug final win, because he defeated nothing, among two of the most awful Jug entries in modern history.

Key “Stranger” for exotics and guess the rest, or pass and watch a world-record mile.

Race 12: 3-year-old fillies trot

Two words: Ramona Hill.