Brandon Blvd seeks to remain undefeated at The Red Mile

On another Sunday Night Lights sponsored by Crawford Farms on Aug. 17 the 15-race card at The Red Mile offers yet another stakes-laden experience for freshman male pacers. The evening’s schedule of events includes a sole $80,000 third round leg of the Kentucky Championship Series, two $30,000 divisions of the third leg in the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, three $15,000 divisions of the third leg of The Kentucky Golden Rod Series and two $10,000 third round legs of the Kentucky Wildcat Series. Although there are many talented youngsters competing over the red clay, all eyes will certainly be upon the undefeated Brandon Blvd.

Leaving from post position seven in the field of eight, Brandon Blvd will have the services of pilot Tim Tetrick for trainer Andrew Harris in the 10th race. The son of Downbytheseaside-Alexis Faith is 2-1 on the morning line and seeks to extend his unblemished three-for-three record to four in a row.

The heavy favorite in his debut at Harrah’s Philadelphia in a non-winner’s contest on July 13, the colt was sent off at odds of 17-1 upon his arrival in the Bluegrass for the first leg of this series three weeks previously. Brandon Blvd, however, closed on the leader and favorite Panther Hill (Dexter Dunn) to win by a neck with a :25.2 final quarter mile.

The second leg of the series was a non-wagering event on Aug. 6, and the colt closed from fifth to defeat Funky Buddha (Todd McCarthy) well within himself in a new lifetime best of 1:49.3.

Owned by William Pollack and Bruce Areman, Brandon Blvd was bred by Crawford Farms and went through the ring for $425,000 at last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.

The colt hails from an extremely talented female family and has banked $85,000.

Tony Dinges will send out Funky Buddha (T. McCarthy). The son of Sweet Lou-The Double Deuce has hit the board in all six of his starts. He will be seeking his fourth triumph and first in Championship Series company.

The colt captured the $100,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes final at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel on July 14. Funky Buddha has been third and second since arriving in Lexington.

Owned by Rick Berks, the colt was bred by Black Horse Racing and Christina Takter. He was a $50,000 purchase at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.

Funky Buddha’s dam (Captaintreacherous, $22,397) is a half sibling to Storm Point (Somebeachsomewhere, $214,741), Crossfirehurricane (Art Official, $167,515) and A Beach Cowgirl (Somebeachsomewhere, $189,478).

The colt is her second foal.

Funky Buddha has earned $115,600). He will begin pacing from post position three and is 7-2 on the morning line.

Lindy Dragonwater (Joe Bongiorno) makes his first foray in the Championship Series after capturing his last two starts in Ohio Sire Stakes company at MGM Northfield Park and El Dorado Scioto Downs for trainer Ron Burke.

He was third in his career bow on June 28, also at Scioto Downs.

The altered son of Downbytheseaside-Imagine Dragon was assigned post position two and is 9-2 on the morning line.

Bred by Lindy Farms, Lindy Dragonwater was a $100,000 purchase by his trainer, Knox Services Inc., Beasty LLC and Bradley Grant at the 2024 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.

His dam (Dragon Again) banked $184,251 during her racing career. This colt is her fifth foal and is a half sibling to Komodo Dragon (Somebeachsomewhere, $598,295).

Lindy Dragonwater has amassed $54,680 in purse money.