Cee Bee Yes lights up toteboard in world record score

cover photo by Chris Tully

by Ray Cotolo

Lexington, KY — Cee Bee Yes trotted the fastest mile ever by a 3-year-old filly trotter, 1:50.2, in capturing the $86,700 first division of the Bluegrass Stakes for sophomore ladies on Sunday (Sept. 28) at The Red Mile.

Cee Bee Yes stopped Lifetime Pursuit by a head in a world record time of 1:50.2.

With Cooler Schooner (David Miller) setting fast fractions, Cee Bee Yes coasted in the pocket, passed her into the stretch and dueled with Hambletonian Oaks winner Lifetime Pursuit, ultimately getting her head in front to win in the world record of 1:50.2. The time lowered the world mark of 1:50.4 set earlier this year by Lifetime Pursuit in her Oaks triumph at the Meadowlands.

Cooler Schooner took control with ease, while Cee Bee Yes (Scott Zeron) sat in second and Lifetime Pursuit (Yannick Gingras) in third. The top trio remained in that order as Cooler Schooner set splits of :27.4, :53.2 and 1:21.4.

Galloping at the top of the stretch, Cooler Schooner was passed by Lifetime Pursuit, with Cee Bee Yes circling by, too. In the final eighth, Lifetime Pursuit had a slight advantage on Cee Bee Yes, who trotted alongside, then by the former world champion filly, to christen herself a champion in 1:50.2.

Owned by Jason and Doug Allen, trained by Julie Miller, and driven by Zeron, the daughter of Muscles Yankee-Enbeecee-Enjoy Lavec paid $115.40 to win, with the $2 exacta over 1-9 favorite Lifetime Pursuit paying $217. This victory pushed Cee Bee Yes’ career earnings to $336,532.

“I didn’t expect her to be the fastest of all-time, but I knew the race would set up with fast fractions,” said regular driver Andy Miller, who has been sidelined due to a race injury sustained in April. “She’s a very tough filly. Scott (Zeron) did a great job getting her into the race. He was patient, then he got her home.”

“In this business, you always throw the audible, but we would talk to Ron Allen and see the plans,” trainer Julie Miller said in regards to Cee Bee Yes’ retirement at the end of the season. “I would think she’d be a great mother.”

USTA/Mark Hall photos

Shake It Cerry was an easy winner in a time of 1:51.2.

Shake It Cerry, clearing the lead before the half, strode through the stretch to win in 1:51.2 in the second $86,700 division.

The other Takter-trainee in the field, Scream And Shout (Brett Miller), took the lead, while My Inspiration (Corey Callahan) got away in second and Shake It Cerry (Ron Pierce) in third. After a :27.2 quarter, Shake It Cerry made her move.

Controlling the pace through a :55.1 half and 1:23.2 third quarter, Shake It Cerry kicked clear of Scream And Shout chasing in second, while Chivaree Hanover (Tim Tetrick) was rallying down the center of the course into second, and My Inspiration weaved her way into third. Shake It Cerry crossed the line on top by 4-3/4 lengths in 1:51.2.

With career earnings of $1,450,205, the daughter of Donato Hanover-Solveig-Yankee Glide is owned by Solveig’s Racing Partners, trained by Jimmy Takter and driven by Pierce. Paying $3.00, her 1:51.2 mile is a lifetime best.

“The filly (Shake It Cerry) took me around there (The Red Mile) on her own,” driver Ron Pierce said. “I just sat there, just a passenger.”

“She sure felt like it to me,” Pierce also said in regards to Shake It Cerry’s sharp form. “I was saying ‘whoa girl, whoa girl,’ and she was thinking I was saying ‘go girl, go girl.’ I could have let her trot and easily broke the world record, but I didn’t see any sense of it; we have the Breeders Crown coming up, the (Filly) Futurity next week. There are still some major races for her.”

Live racing will resume on Thursday (Oct. 2) with the $300,000 International Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old filly trotters. The entry box will be open until 9:30 a.m. (EDT) on Monday (Sept. 29). Post time for that card is scheduled for 1 p.m. (EDT).

Race replays of action from The Red Mile can be found on our YouTube channel:Red Mile Harness.