It’s My Show claimed victory over El Rey in KYSS

Lexington, KY — On Tuesday (Sept. 10), Canadian Pacing Derby winner and 2023 Little Brown Jug champion, It’s My Show (Sweet Lou), delivered a powerful final quarter-mile to claim victory over the talented El Rey in 1:49.2 during the $35,000 third leg of the Kentucky Sire Stakes Series (KYSS) for 4-year-old male pacers. In the $35,000 third leg for 4-year-old mare pacers, Hers Hungry (Stay Hungry-Injeanous Style) edged out the favourite, Strong Poison, to win by a neck.

It’s My Show, driven by Scott Zeron, started from post position three in a field of eight, while El Rey (Andy Miller) took the early lead, setting fractions of :27.2, :55.3, and 1:22.4. It’s My Show remained in fifth for most of the race but moved into fourth at the three-quarter mark.

As the field entered the final turn, It’s My Show launched his late charge, moving into third behind Speaking Volumes (Tony Hall). Despite El Rey’s early advantage, It’s My Show unleashed a scorching final quarter of :25.4 to overtake the leader by a half-length at the wire. Speaking Volumes finished third.

Trained by Linda Toscano, It’s My Show set a lifetime mark of 1:46.4 at this same venue during the 2023 Kentucky Sire Stakes Championship, establishing a world record. After a dip in form later in the 2023 season, the gelding found his stride again in 2024, highlighted by his recent triumph in the $399,000 Canadian Pacing Derby on Aug. 31 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Bred by his owners, Richard and Joanne Young, the son of Sweet Lou and Put On A Show now boasts a career record of 36-12-8-3 with earnings of $1.48 million. He rewarded his backers with $2.72 on the win.

In the mare division, Hers Hungry delivered a fierce final quarter-mile of :25.3 to give Scott Zeron a sweep of the 4-year-old sire stakes races. She edged out Strong Poison by a neck in a lifetime-best 1:49.

Keep My Secret (Tony Hall) grabbed the early lead, posting a first quarter of :28.1. Strong Poison (David Miller) moved up to challenge, clocking times of :55.3 and 1:22.2. Hers Hungry, who began from post four, stayed in fourth before making her move on the final turn. With a strong finish, Hers Hungry powered past Strong Poison to secure the victory, while Keep My Secret took third.

Trained by Travis Kolaczynski, Hers Hungry improved her record to 30-8-7-0 and has earned $76,717. She was a $27,000 purchase at the 2021 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, and her pedigree includes the Hall of Fame mare Delinquent Account and other notable earners. Hers Hungry paid $28.20 to win.

Racing resumes at The Red Mile on Sunday (Sept. 15) with eight $400,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes Championship Series finals. The track will also host the $100,000 Commonwealth Series finals on Monday (Sept. 16) and the $50,000 Golden Rod Series finals on Tuesday (Sept. 17). Following a brief break, the Grand Circuit returns to The Red Mile on Thursday (Sept. 26) for a two-week stint.