Lexington, KY ---A quartet of Explosive Matter International Stallion Stakes were contested for 2-year-old trotting fillies on a bright and sunny Thursday afternoon (Oct. 2) at Lexington’s famed Red Mile.
In the second $80,550 division Mission Brief provided fans with another world record performance, trotting to a 1:50.3 mile with her nearest rival some 16 lengths behind her. Driver Yannick Gingras had the filly under wraps at the finish line in a simply electrifying mile over the red clay. The time was two-fifths of a second off the all-age record for distaffs in the sport of harness racing, set by 7-year-old mare Giant Diablo in 2007, also at The Red Mile.
“She’s been here for two weeks and she’s been very good here -- mentally. It’s never been a soundness thing with her, it’s always been getting her mentally sound for the race,” trainer Ron Burke said. “She’s a super freaky filly and Yannick has done a super job with her. She could have gone another direction, but Yannick has been very patient with her and today was the calmest I’ve seen her.”
Leaving nothing to chance, Gingras moved his filly quickly off the gate and right to the lead, with Waiting Room (Marcus Miller) settling calmly in behind him, with Gold Cora (Tim Tetrick) following in third. From there, it was simply a walk-over as Mission Brief cruised through easy fractions of :28, :55.1 and 1:23. After opening up five lengths going into the last turn, it was apparent no other horse would come close to the slick-gaited distaff as long as she minded her manners. Gold Cora got up for second, while Hot Start (David Miller) was third.
Owned by Burke Racing, Our Horse Cents Stables, J&T Silva Stables and Weaver Bruscemi, Mission Brief upped her career earnings to $313,315 with the win, the sixth of her career in nine tries.
“She is just a special filly and also makes me nervous,” said co-owner Jerry Silva. “A filly with her kind of speed is just scary. She ranks right up there with some of the greats, including Muscle Hill.”
A $150,000 yearling purchase from the 2013 Lexington Selected Sale last fall, Mission Brief is by Muscle Hill, and is the third foal out of the Varenne mare Southwind Serena. She is a half-sister to Exemplar (by Andover Hall) 3,1:54.3s ($74,391).
The first $80,550 division went to team Takter and Flirting Filly, who stopped the timer in a lifetime best of 1:54.3 for driver Yannick Gingras. The daughter of Broadway Hall-Flirtin My Way-Mr Lavec was bred by Brittany Farms, who co-owns with Marvin Katz and AJ Libfeld.
“She felt good and I thought it was the right time to make a move when I did,” Gingras said.
Gingras positioned himself mid-pack as Ready To Ignite (Ron Pierce) took the field through the first turn to the :28 first quarter before relinquishing the lead to Flirting Filly just past the :56.1 half.
“She responded very well when I did move her,” Gingras added. “Her gait has never been a problem, but it’s been more her mind. The trotting hobbles seem to keep her mind on her business now.”
Gingras kept the filly well-rated, staving off challenges from several rivals through the 1:25.1 three-quarters and in the lane, where two horses broke trying to best his charge.
After a lengthy inquiry, the judges determined that second-place finisher Ready To Ignite -- a full sister to Explosive Matter who made an untimely break just a few feet before the wire -- would be placed as she finished. Aarena Hanover (David Miller) was third, with Kentucky Sire Stake champion Armatrading (Randall Jerrell) finishing fourth. Wiclet Hanover (Ake Svanstedt), the 6-5 favorite, had also made a break in the lane, finishing fifth, but was disqualified and placed seventh.