Freshman colt pacers featured in five ISS divisions at Red Mile

October 03, 2008

Brian Sears rallied Dial Or Nodial down the stretch and the son of Western Ideal posted his second straight victory in Lexington as he won the first of five divisions of the $443,600 International Stallion Stake for 2-year-old colt pacers Friday afternoon at The Red Mile.

Moving to the lead turning for home, Dial Or Nodial crossed the wire three lengths better than runner-up Best Dream Seeker (Luc Ouellette) in 1:51.2. If I Can Dream was third for Ron Pierce.

The win in the $89,320 division was the seventh of the year in eight starts for the homebred of Arlene and Jules Siegel, increasing his earnings to more than $266,000.

"He floats over the ground so easy," trainre Jim Campbell said of Dial Or Nodial. "He's just an exceptionally-gifted horse."

Campbell came right back into the winner's circle in the second $89,320 ISS split with Fireintheshark, a son of Cam's Card Shark also bred and owned by the Siegels. Tim Tetrick moved Fireintheshark to the lead around the final bend and drew clear to score in 1:52.1, with Sand Benelli (David Miller) and Vintage Master (Pierce) second and third, respectively.

The time was a career best for Fireintheshark, who won for the third time in a dozen attempts. His earnings now stand at more than $116,000.

Carnivore continued his excellence at The Red Mile as he captured the third $89,320 ISS division with a 1:52 effort for Ron Pierce. The win was the fourth in as many starts in Lexington for the son of Real Desire, including the $300,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes championship in late August.

Finishing second behind Carnivore was the John Campbell-driven Hypnotic Blue Chip, with Upfront Hoosierboy third for Andy Miller.

Jack Darling owns and trains Carnivore, who posted his sixth win in nine starts, increasing his earnings to more than $290,000.

Sheer Desire didn't repeat his world-record 1:49.3 effort last week with a Bluegrass victory, but the son of Real Desire overcame some road trouble in the final turn to win the fourth $88,320 ISS division in 1:51.1 for driver Dave Palone.

McLaren, driven by Luc Ouellette, popped the pocket shortly past the opening :28.2 quarter reached first by the Yannick Gingras-driven Astounding Hanover, and had the lead through a :56 half as Palone began to work his way up on the outside. Approaching three quarters McLaren broke stride and pushed Sheer Desire wide, but Palone kept his charge moving forward and he cleared to take the loead.

Under some mild urging from Palone, Sheer Desire won by open lengths over runner-up Pro Prospect (Eric Goodell), with Sir Arthur and Sears third. The win was Sheer Desire's third in just four starts for trainer Mickey Burke and owners Sylvia Burke, Richard Ringer, JJK Stables and Tom Cherichello, increasing his earnings to nearly $100,000.

The last $88,320 ISS division went to the Jody Jamieson-driven Ahead Of The Curve, who was able to reach the wire first in 1:51.3 to edge Born To Rockn Roll (Palone) and Ideal Danny (Andy Miller). The win was the first in eight career starts for Ahead Of The Curve, who is owned by Bob Burgess, Karin Olsson Burgess and Marsha Cohen.

Trained by Blair Burgess, Ahead Of The Curve is a so of Real Desire. Last week he got photo'd out in the 1:49.3 world-record mile credited to winner Sheer Desire in that Bluegrass split. The winner's share of the purse increased his earnings to more than $73,000.

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