Here Mi Song repeats in Jeff Hall Memorial

Stakes recap by Kevin Kerstein/Coady Media photo

In memoriam: Jeff Hall tribute

HENDERSON, Ky. (Sunday, July 21, 2024) – Nathan Hayden’s homebred Here Mi Song made a decisive move up the rail under jockey Edgar Morales and kicked clear late by 5 ¼ lengths to defend his title in Sunday’s $124,500 Jeff Hall Memorial at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.

Trained locally by Billy Stinson Jr., Here Mi Song completed 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.38, nearly three-quarters of a second faster than when he won last year’s race.

Here Mi Song broke from the rail in the field of five sprinters and was positioned in third behind Champlin and Gulfstream Way. Up the backside, Champlin set a modest quarter-mile fraction of :22.90 while remaining about a length ahead of Gulfstream Way. Just inside the three-eighths pole, Morales spotted clearing at the rail and sent Here Mi Song through to the lead. As the field turned into the stretch, Here Mi Song spurted clear of his rivals, finishing under a hand-ride in the late stages.

Gulfstream Way won a tight three-way photo for second over Happy Is a Choice and pacesetter Champlin. They were followed by Call Me Fast.

Here Mi Song rewarded his backers paying $2 mutuel returns of $8.96, $4 and $2.44. Gulfstream Way under jockey Florent Geroux, paid $7.04 and $3.66 while Champlin, ridden by Mitchell Murrill, returned $2.48.

The Jeff Hall Memorial was Here Mi Song’s seventh-career victory from 26 starts. The gutsy 6-year-old gelded son of Cross Traffic boosted his purse earnings to a remarkable $959,880.

Racing will resume Monday at Ellis Park with a first post of 11:50 a.m. CT.