BAD AXE, Mich. — Guns A Brazen continued to build a case for himself as Michigan's top 3-year-old male trotter on Sunday (July 28) at the Huron Community Fair, where he trotted the fastest mile in the 156-year history of the fair by way of his 2:01.1 victory in a $5,600 Michigan Colt Stakes Blue Division event.
Trainer-driver Raymond Kinney sent Guns A Brazen straight to the front from post five, and the pair cleared Inkadabra Abe midway on the first turn before opening a six-length advantage through a :29.1 first quarter. Guns A Brazen extended his advantage to 10 lengths through a :59.3 half before Striking Chips emerged to take second up the backstretch and cut into Guns A Brazen's margin through the far turn. Despite Striking Chips' late rally, the victorious Brazen-Premier Glitter gelding held clear by five lengths to record his sixth victory in as many starts this season and to take a fifth of a second off Rompaway Willie and Tim Martinson's 2:01.2 standard, set in 2005.
Sandra Kinney, Chad Kreeger and Jared Kreeger share ownership of Guns A Brazen.
The $5,600 first division of the 3-year-old filly pace saw Fancywontletyadown duel down Forever A Flirt — who was previously undefeated on the season — in 1:59.4, the fastest mile of the meet. Kody Massey drove the Megatron-Too Shy filly to her fourth victory of the circuit for trainer Al Tomlinson, who shares ownership with Edward Engle Jr. and David Jarvis.
Two drivers notched stakes doubles on Sunday: Brad Kramer drove a pair of five-time seasonal winners in 2-year-old pacing colt Not Fake New's (2:04) and 3-year-old pacing gelding Kourageous Key (2:02), while Chuck Taylor won win 2-year-old trotting gelding Amtrac (2:10) and 3-year-old pacing filly Pair Of Hardts (2:03.3).
Monday's (July 29) Michigan Colt Stakes Green highlights included New Plan Stan and trainer-driver Greg Bateson improving to a perfect three-for-three with a 2:07.2 win in the $5,000 2-year-old male trot, and Kaa Dee Polly scoring her fourth win in six seasonal starts by way of a 2:07 score in the $5,000 2-year-old filly pace.
Bateson also made headlines at the Clare County Fair, in Harrison, Mich., earlier in the week, piloting Legendary Doowrah to a 1:59.1 score in an $8,000 event for Michigan-bred pacers on Friday (July 26). The 3-year-old Bit Of A Legend N-Artistic Hanover gelding improved to three-for-three in Michigan this season while notching his seventh win in 15 starts this season.
The Michigan fair harness racing circuit moves to Ludington, Mich., for a two-day stand at the Western Michigan Fair. The Great Lake Stakes are slated for Monday (Aug. 5) while Tuesday's program features Michigan Colt Stakes for Michigan-sired and Michigan-bred 2- and 3-year-olds.
To watch replays of Michigan fair harness racing programs, visit the Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/@MichHarnessHorse).