On April 21, 2025, Oak Grove, Kentucky, witnessed impressive performances in the second round of the $50,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes (KYSS) for 4-year-old pacing horses and geldings. Notably, the standout horse Women Layer, trained by Virgil Morgan Jr., delivered a remarkable performance, clocking a winning time of 1:50.4.
With Todd McCarthy at the reins, Women Layer began the race in third position before overtaking stablemate Lou Hill, who initially established a strong pace. Women Layer completed the first quarter in 26.3 seconds and maintained momentum to reach the half in 54.4 seconds and three-quarters in 1:22.4. Finishing with ease, he crossed the finish line 4-3/4 lengths ahead of Lou Hill, who secured the second position. Steely Knife, driven by Trace Tetrick, finished third, while Copperfield, with Andy McCarthy, broke stride and finished fourth.
This victory marked Women Layer’s 13th win out of 22 total starts, increasing his earnings to $411,079. He races for a group of owners consisting of Let It Ride Stables Inc., Douglas Overhiser, Jeff Fought Racing, and Larry Wills, and the gelding by Sweet Lou returned $2.70 for a win.
In the other KYSS division for 4-year-old pacing horses and geldings, Better Is Nice proved his worth as the favorite at odds of 3-5, winning in 1:52.1. Driven by Andy McCarthy, Better Is Nice started from fourth position while Total Stranger, piloted by Todd McCarthy, led the pace. McCarthy moved Better Is Nice first over, challenging Total Stranger to the three-quarters mark at 1:24 before rallying in the stretch to win by a length. Swaggy Cal, driven by Jeremy Indof, finished second, while Total Stranger took third place, and Courtship, handled by Marcus Miller, finished fourth.
Better Is Nice, a stallion by Bettor’s Wish, has now won 13 races from 30 starts and accumulated earnings totaling $1,059,933. He is owned by Alagna Racing LLC, Pryde Stables Inc., and Birnam Wood Farms, with Tony Alagna as the trainer. The horse paid $3.52 for a winning ticket.
Meanwhile, Spy Coast claimed victory in the $50,000 KYSS for 4-year-old trotting mares, defeating the 3-2 favorite Woman Of Passion. Spy Coast, driven by Jeremy Indof, managed a time of 1:54.1 after a competitive race. After starting third, he advanced as Woman Of Passion established the early tempo, reaching fractions of 27.4 seconds and 56.4 seconds. In the stretch, Spy Coast emerged victorious, crossing the finish line a neck ahead. Black Velvet As took third, while R Liza claimed fourth.
With this win, Spy Coast has recorded nine victories from 32 starts and earned $269,827. She is a daughter of Walner and returned $6.00 for winning.
In other races, Bargain, driven by Dexter Dunn, won the $50,000 KYSS for 4-year-old trotting horses and geldings by making a strong move from fourth place to secure victory. Following the early pace set by Ordained, Bargain surged ahead to win by 1-3/4 lengths over the 2-1 favorite Convoy Hall, who finished second. Ways N Means and Tom’s Muscle rounded out the top four positions.
Bargain, a gelding trained by Nancy Takter, has six wins from 27 starts and earnings of $378,086. The horse, who is by Chapter Seven, paid $6.60 to win.
In the $50,000 KYSS division for 4-year-old pacing mares, Bath Bomb secured victory after a smooth pocket ride, defeating the 2-5 favorite Asweetbeachhere by three-quarter lengths in 1:50.4. Asweetbeachhere established early fractions but was unable to hold off Bath Bomb, who finally prevailed in the stretch. Peace Talks finished third and Defining Moment settled for fourth.
Trained by Per Engblom, Bath Bomb is a daughter of Lather Up. With this win, she has five successes from 17 starts and total earnings of $144,360, returning $11.52 for a win ticket.
The day also featured the $30,000 Open Pace, where Saulsbrook Victor, driven by Brett MacDonald, secured victory with the fastest mile of the meet at Oak Grove, finishing in 1:49.4. Following strong early fractions, he maintained his lead throughout to win by 1-1/4 lengths. Dale Yeah and He’zzz A Wise Sky completed the top three finishers.
Veteran trainer Ronald MacDonald guides Saulsbrook Victor, a 7-year-old gelding by Source Of Pride, who claimed his 32nd victory from 120 starts and has accrued $528,688 in lifetime earnings, returning $3.82 to win.
Upset of the day came from Lyin’ Eyes, driven by Joey Putnam, in the $30,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap. After a powerful rally off fractions set by Dandy’s Mercy, she crossed the finish line in 1:52, winning by a length. Scorecard Dandy took second, and Dandy’s Mercy settled for third.
Trained by Joe Putnam, Lyin’ Eyes has now earned $19.94 for her owners, J P Racing LLC, Joey Putnam, and Crazy Parrot Farm LLC, with this victory marking her progress as a competitor.
Racing continues at Oak Grove on April 22 with a 12-race card scheduled to start at 1:45 p.m. CDT. For additional details, visit oakgrovegaming.com.
