Category: Sports

Go On BB returns to Hoosier Park's famed circle once again in the Fillies and Mares Open

Indiana’s richest female pacer of all time made her return to the winner’s circle on Friday (May 11) in the featured $24,000 Fillies and Mares Open at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Accompanied by Ricky Macomber Jr., the eight-year-old mare found racing room late in the stretch to score in 1:54.0 to win by a head.

Go On BB and stable mate Red S driven by Pete Wrenn were sent postward as the 4-5 favorites in the field of ten. Starting from post two, Go On BB was able to grab position behind the early race leaders Red S and Forever Showin Off with driver Charlie Conrad. Following along through fractions of :27.2 and :56.4, the seasoned veteran sat patiently for her to turn to strike as the field began to shift. Josh Sutton was the first to commit CR Hope to the outer flow as they reached the front heading into the last turn. The new race leaders quickly felt pressure from Gran Gabriel and Jason Dillander as they were able to put a nose in front at the three-quarter mark of 1:25.1. As the field began to fan out across the track, the veteran mare put her class on display as she was able to fight through heavy traffic and wear down her rivals to reach the wire first with a :28 closing panel. Forever Showin Off tracked the top two the entire mile to finish a game second while Cadie’s Gotta Gun benefitted from a second over trip from driver Tyler Smith to get up for the third place finish.

“BB’s getting older and we are trying to race her from off the pace now,” said Jamie Rucker, who oversees all training responsibilities for the division of the Burke Stable racing at Hoosier Park. “The trip worked out for her and tonight she did what she was supposed to do. My entire barn has been sick and was really sick last week so hopefully she’s better and on her way to making a comeback.”

Go On BB now sports a bankroll in excess of over $1.3 million in career earnings for Frank Baldachino, who purchased the mare as a yearling for trainer Ron Burke. The daughter of Dontgetinmyway-Challo B B is now two for fourteen in 2012. Her career record of 1:50 was established as a four-year-old at The Meadows race track. Go On BB now has a total of 66 wins in 156 career starts and was Indiana’s first ever Indiana sired female millionaire.

Robert Taylor Steers My Sweet Shiela to Indiana Silver Sire Stakes Victory

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino played host to a trio of Indiana Silver Sire Stakes divisions for three-year-old trotting fillies on Thursday (May 10). Offering purses of $10,000 each, they were the featured event on the 14-race card.

My Sweet Shiela and driver Robert Taylor made quick work of the nine horse field as they made the front just past the half and never looked back.  Dictating fractions of 1:00.2 and 1:32.1, My Sweet Shiela remained uncontested as the field turned for home. Trace Tetrick was the first to commit as he had Dock A Da Bay first over. My Sweet Shiela began to sprint away from the rest of the field as she posted a :28.2 final kick to win by three lengths in 2:00.3. Bacfromthedge and Rick Farrington staged a big rally late in the lane to get up for the second place finish as Dock A Da Bay held on to finish third. Sired by Southwind Elian, My Sweet Shiela posted her first win of her sophomore debut. Owned by La Bella Vita Stables, the brown filly bankrolled over $58,000 in eight starts last year. My Sweet Shiela paid $5.20 to win.

This Kid Cant Wait made her first start for a new stable a winning one as she captured the second split of the stakes action in a lifetime best 1:59.4. Driven by Trent Stohler, who recently took over the training duties of the three-year-old filly, This Kid Cant Wait left alertly from post eight to reach the lead through an opening panel of :29.0. Stohler opted for the pocket trip as Josh Sutton had Js Miss Linda aimed for the front just past the half mile marker in :59.4. This Kid Cant Wait tipped from the pocket down the homestretch to easily overcome Js Miss Linda and win by six lengths in 1:59.4 Pretty Ann Savage found late racing room and made her way through heavy traffic to finish a game third for driver Robert Taylor. This Kid Cant Wait paid $9.20 to win.

The final division for trotting fillies was won by American Idol and Ron Wrenn. Tabbed as the public’s second choice, the Super Ben Joe sophomore filly wired the field to find the finish line in 2:01.4. D K Sadie and Iwill Bd Leader rounded out the trifecta. Trained by Ron Wrenn, the chestnut filly earned her second win in five starts this season. American Idol returned $5.60 to her backers.

Indiana Sire Stakes Action continues at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, May 11 with six $10,000 divisions of the Silver Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies.

Josh Sutton and My Muscleman cruise to victory in the Indiana Silver Sire Stakes Opener

Four divisions of the Indiana Silver Sire Stakes for sophomore trotting colts and geldings were the featured attraction Tuesday (May 8) at Hoosier Park Racing Casino as they played host to four divisions on the 13-race program.

My Muscleman took advantage of a perfect second over trip to score in 1:59.4 in the opening and fastest division of the Sire Stakes action with driver Josh Sutton aboard. The Rocky Balboa-Malibu Marley gelding trotted out of the gate evenly to find himself fifth along the rail. Pete Wrenn had the public’s second choice, Italian Stallion, on the front dictating fractions of :28.4 and :59.2. Ricky Macomber Jr. made his signature brush to the front down the backside with Kid Formula to lead the field of nine through the three quarter clocking in 1:30.4. Trace Tetrick had Fair Bizness out and firing as they were first up around the last turn with My Muscleman and Sutton in tow. As the field turned for home, My Muscleman powered home :28.2 to score his first win of the season in 1:59.4.

“This was a really nice colt last year,” Sutton said of his mount. “He always has a good closing kick and with it being his first start back I wanted to sit back and let him trot home on the end of the mile. He felt good at the top of the stretch so I knew he would be good tonight, I was really happy with the way he raced and hopefully he just keeps getting better.”

Moveman, driven by Brandon Bates, capitalized on a break by Ideal Tachycardia late in the stretch to capture the second $10,000 division, stopping the clock in 2:00.2. Trained by Maria Howard who co-owns the three-year-old gelding with Brian Carsey, Moveman edged out Dukeofhazards to win by a nose in his first win on the season, also a lifetime best effort. Dukeofhazards and Ross Leonard finished second as This Kid Rocks and Bobby Brower were a closing third. Sired by Semper F Hall, Moveman has now won 11 of 17 lifetime starts and bankrolled over $35,000 for his connections.

“He’s a pretty well mannered colt,” Bates said of the chesnut gelding. “He can leave or you can sit with him. The raced worked out just the way I was hoping it would and I was really happy with the way he raced tonight. “

Wayland Ivy, second choice in his $10,000 split of the stakes action, won going away for driver Trace Tetrick in 2:00.4. Winning by five and three-quarters lengths, The Cj’s Secret-Wolf’s Tamara gelding overcame the bettor’s choice, Themilkmen’skid, late in the lane to score his first win of his sophomore debut. Joe Putnam and Themilkmen’skid held on to finish second as Mr. Balboa rallied late to get up for the third place finish.

Josh Sutton found the winner’s circle for the fifth time on the night in the final division of stakes action for three-year-old trotting colts as he steered A Royal Peck to victory over Elian’s Express and driver Sam Widger. Trained and owned by Tobias Troyer, A Royal Peck scored his second win of the season as he established a new lifetime mark of 2:00. Hillcrest Romeo and Ross Leonard took advantage of a second over trip to round out the tri-fecta.

Tetrick and The Rainmaker Capture the $24,000 Fillies & Mares Open

The Rainmaker and driver Trace Tetrick surprised a field of ten in the featured $24,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday (May 4). Just as the duo crossed the wire, bad weather set in and a heavy rain shower commenced across the track. Despite the weather conditions, The Rainmaker was able to split rivals late in the stretch to win by a head in 1:52.3, a season’s best effort.

Leaving from post four, Tetrick and the eight-year-old mare settled along the rail in fourth as the bettor’s second choice, Hoponit and Josh Sutton, rallied to the lead. Hoponit led the field through a blistering opening quarter of :26.1 before they were pressed by Red S and driver Ricky Macomber Jr., who found the front at the half mile time in :55.1. Keene Supreme was the first to reach Macomber’s wheel and posed a threat first over on the outside as the field headed into the last turn.

In the stretch, Sutton pulled Hoponit from the pocket to re-take the lead. Hoponit kept digging in gamely  and eventually took control of the race, only to find another battle brewing as The Rainmaker found racing room late. The Rainmaker crossed the wire in front of her rivals to hold off a hard charging C R Hope who benefitted from a second over trip from driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. Hoponit held on gamely to finish third. The Rainmaker paid $14.00 to win.

“This mare can be a little aggressive so I knew I wanted to take her off the gate easy,” Tetrick said of his drive. “I just wanted to let things work out and hopefully get a good trip on the end of it. That was a really good finish with three mares across the track, but I was really happy with the way this mare dug in and fought to the wire tonight.”

Owned by Charles E. Stein of Cortland, OH, The Rainmaker surpassed the $170,000 mark in career earnings. The daughter of Space Shuttle-Ragamuffin Hanover now has 14 career wins and second for the year under the conditioning of Jim Arledge Jr.

Allthatgltrsisgold returned to Hoosier Park Racing & Casino’s winner’s circle for the second time this season while Abc Mercedes recorded his third win in a season’s best performance in their $24,000 respective features on Wednesday (May2).

Allthatgltrsisgold appeared to be back to his previous form as driver Josh Sutton sent the five-year-old horse to the front from post four. The duo made early work of the field as they led through opening splits of :26.2 and 56.0. Ricky Macomber Jr. was the first to commit his horse, Get It Now, as he pulled first up down the backside with Willy Mucha and race favorite, Washington Hanover in tow. Sutton pushed on the accelerator after the half as they sprinted to a three-quarter clocking in 1:23. Allthatgltrsisgold continued the fast tempo as he powered home in :28 to win by a length and three-quarters over Bluecreek Abner who benefitted from a ground saving trip along the rail. Robin I Scoot and driver Sam Widger found racing room late in the stretch to finish out the trifecta. Allthatgltrsisgold returned $14.60 to his backers.

Owned by Jeff and Maria King’s Victory Hill Farm of LaGrange, Ind., Alltrhatgltrsisgold now has two wins in four starts for 2012. The son of Cam’s Card Shark is approaching the $700,000 mark in career earnings for trainer Bobby Brower, who has conditioned the horse his entire career.

Abc Mercedes rebounded with a win in the $24,000 Open Trot after a second place finish to Haulin Laser in the Open division last week.

With a costly break behind the starting car from Haulin Laser, Abc Mercedes was unhurried out of the gate from post seven. Driver Joe Putnam guided the heavy betting favorite to find a spot along the rail in fourth through an opening quarter in :27.4. The duo was not content to sit as they began their journey to the front just past the first quarter. Starry Knight and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. reluctantly yielded the lead just before the half. Abc Mercedes led the field of nine through a half mile time of a leisurely :58.2.

Dave Magee’s hand was forced to pull Whit first up as the field strolled through easy first half fractions. Putnam controlled an even pace through the three-quarter time of 1:27.2 as his seven-year-old gelding began to put his raw ability on display. Opening up by nine and a half lengths, Abc Mercedes was well in hand through the wire to score in 1:55.3 with a final quarter in :28.1. Rompaway Beau yielded for a trip along the rail as he was able to get up for the second place finish. Magee and Whit managed to hold on for third honors. Abc Mercedes paid $4.80 to win.

The win for the seven-year-old gelding marked his 52nd career victory for owner, Larry Miller of Springport, Ind. Sired by Abc Garland, Abc Mercedes is approaching the million dollar mark as he surpassed $900,000 in career earnings with this win.

Tyler Smith steers Skyway Poncho to the $20,000 victory

Skyway Poncho swept by his rivals late in the stretch to win the $20,000 Tubby Trimble Final, a late closing event open to Indiana sired three-year-olds and up that are non-winners of $30,000 life, at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday (May 3) to score his second career victory. Driven By Tyler Smith, the duo rallied late to win their first start of 2012 after finishing second in both of the preliminary legs of the series.

Ricky Macomber Jr. urged Moveoutofmyway out of the gate quickly as they charged to the front from post four, the bettor’s second choice, A Sweet Ride, also left the gate alertly to settle second along the rail. Sam Widger had his sights set on the lead as he had the betting favorite, Royal Todd, out and battling for position through an opening panel of :28.3. Royal Todd’s lead was short-lived as Qb Killa and Pete Wrenn forced Royal Todd to take a seat in second and led the field through a half mile time of :57.1. Skyway Poncho and driver Tyler Smith sat mid pack for much of the race while the action continued on the front. Under urging from Hensley, A Sweet Ride powered up and pressured the leader to reach the front and find the three-quarter mile marker in 1:25.1. The field began to fan out across the track as Smith sent Skyway Poncho three-wide around tiring cover. The three-year-old gelding opened up by two lengths on the field and pressed on to the wire, winning by 2 ¼ lengths in a lifetime best effort of 1:54.1. Wilbur’s Z Tam battled gamely for second as Royal Todd and Sam Widger got up for the third place finish. Skyway Poncho paid $5.20 to win and the exacta including Skyway Poncho and Wilbur’s Z Tam paid $105.00.

“It looked like there was a lot of early speed in this race so I was hoping we could get a good trip off the pace,” Smith noted. “My colt has a tendency to get steppy so I have to be careful with him. He would’ve won last week but I got to asking a little too much from him and he made a break at the wire. He’s a green colt but has already shown he has plenty of ability, I was really happy with him tonight.”

Sired by Panspacificflight, Skyway Poncho has now won two of six lifetime starts and nearly doubled his lifetime earnings with the win as he pushed his bankroll over $20,000. Owned by Geis Enterprises, The Erv Miller Stable, and Harvey Eisman, Skyway Poncho is trained by Erv Miller.

Springhouse Waltz winning the $20,000 Bill Thompson Series Final

While she may have played the bridesmaid in the first two starts of her three-year-old debut, Springhouse Waltz found the winner’s circle winner when it mattered most as she shined in the $20,000 Bill Thompson Series Final at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Tuesday (May 1). The Rod Lorenzo trained entry finished first and second as Springhouse Waltz was able to overcome her stablemate stand-out, Royal Passion, who was handed her first loss of 2012.

Bittersweet Best and Pete Wrenn left alertly from post five as Live Wire Cindy came away second. Leaving from post nine, Trace Tetrick sent Royal Passion out for better position as they finally found racing room around the first turn along the rail in fourth. Springhouse Waltz and Sam Widger were next in fifth as they sat patiently through an opening panel of :27.

Wrenn and the 18-1 shot continued to lead the field of ten through a half of :56.3 as the fillies remained in single file alignment down the backside.

Tetrick tipped the bettor’s choice, Royal Passion, first-up heading into the final turn as she began her long journey to the front with stablemate Springhouse Waltz in tow. Royal Passion cleared to the front through a three-quarter clocking in 1:25.3, as the rest of the field began to take aim at the new leader. Widger was able to steer Springhouse Waltz through traffic and the filly began to find her best strides late in the lane. Springhouse Waltz powered home in :27.3, as she drew away from the rest of the field to win in 1:53.4 in her maiden breaking victory.

“She was a week or two behind the other ones we brought up,” Lorenzo said of his filly. “She has progressed every week and showed a lot of life last week.  She has always been a nice filly who has showed some speed but we didn’t want to rush her into anything.”

Royal Passion held on gamely for second while Electric Tigress and driver Ricky Macomber Jr. rallied for the show.

“I didn’t know how the race was going to play out, obviously the other filly (Royal Passion) is a nice filly too but she’s had five tough weeks of racing. That is asking a lot of a filly that didn’t race much last year; the nine hole didn’t really help her either, she had a tough trip but I still think she raced good.”

Springhouse Waltz, who finished second in both preliminary legs of the series, paid $2.20 to win. The three-year-old daughter of Royal Art-Keltic Dancer has now banked over $14,000 this season in three pari-mutual starts. Lifetime, she boasts a 1-2-0 record in five career starts.

With her first win on the year in the books, Lorenzo said he will most likely hold her up for the Indiana Sire Stakes action for three-year-old pacing fillies at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino later in May.

Trace Tetrick steers Freddyscooter to victory lane in the $24,000 Open Pace

Freddyscooter Takes Open Pace

Freddyscooter executed his customary late charge to prevail in the final steps of the $24,000 Open Pace at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday (April 24). Driven by Trace Tetrick, the duo rallied hard over a sloppy rated track to capture their first victory of the 2012 season by a neck in a final time of 1:52.1.

Starting from post seven in the 8-horse field, Tetrick opted out of leaving as Willy Mucha and Ed Hensley powered to the front from post six. Best Man Hanover maintained his rail position with a pocket trip as the field reached the first quarter in :27.2. Firstclassallthway and Josh Sutton were not content to sit at the back of the pack as they made their move to the front just past the half mile clocking in :56.4. Firstclassallthway cleared to the front and opened up on the field by three lengths heading into the last turn reaching the three quarter pole in 1:24.3. Pete Wrenn and Sectionline Barack were the first to commit as they pulled first up going into the final turn but to no avail.

In deep stretch, Freddyscooter found late speed to tip around the tiring field and defeat the slight betting favorite with a final quarter in :27.2. Firstclassallthway finished second while Washington Hanover overcame a difficult trip from post eight to finish third.

Owned by Steven Brannan and Frederick Shiery of Ohio and Michigan, respectively, Freddyscooter made his fourth start on the year a winning one. He now has 31 career wins and is approaching $650,000 in career earnings. Brannan trains the Indiana-sired gelding and also raised him at his farm in Bryan, Ohio.

Haulin Laser Upsets in Open Trot

Haulin Laser visited the Open ranks once again and rallied home a winner to pull of the 16-1 upset in the $24,000 Open Trot at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday (April 25).

Driven by Pete Wrenn, Haulin Laser maintained post position three as he sat fourth on the rail through an opening quarter of :28.2. Gale Warning was the tempo setter in the opening splits of the mile while driver Joe Putnam had the heavy betting favorite, Abc Mercedes, out and firing early from post seven as they made their customary bid for the front around the first turn. Tetrick yielded the lead but made the veteran trotter work for it as Abc Mercedes led through a soft second split of :58.3. Solvent and Jason Dillander found themselves third with the public’s second choice, Proud Yankee, sat fifth. As the field remained in single file line, Abc Mercedes led the field of eight into the final turn reaching the three-quarter mile marker in 1:27.4. Wrenn made a bold first over bid with Haulin Laser as he had the gelded son of Broadway Hall aimed at the leader around the final turn. Haulin Laser responded with a :27.4 final kick to overcome Abc Mercedes in the final steps of the mile. Haulin Laser stopped the clock in 1:55.3, eclipsing his two-year-old mark of 1:55.4. Abc Mercedes finished second as Proud Yankee was able to take advantage of a second-over trip to round out the well paying trifecta.

The homebred son of Broadway Hall-Lisa’s Laser, who scored his first win of his 4-year-old campaign, has a lifetime record of 8-2-2 in 26 outings and has bankrolled over $120,000 for trainer Jim Mulinix and owners Dm Stables LLC and Denny Miller. Haulin Laser returned $35.20 to his backers while the trifecta including Haulin Laser, Abc Mercedes and Proud Yankee paid $579.60.

Royal Todd Captures his second victory in the Tubby Trimble Series

Royal Todd and trainer Rod Lorenzo continued their winning ways in the second leg of The Tubby Trimble series, a late closing event open to Indiana sired three-year-olds and up that are non-winners of $30,000 life, as the three-year-old colt picked up his second win of the season in 1:56.2.

In a race plagued by miscues, Sam Widger skillfully drove Royal Todd through a field of twelve to stay out of harm’s way in the back of the pack.  Josh Sutton had the bettor’s second choice, Artychoke, on a mission from post nine as they reached the front just past the first marker :26.3. Northwesterndreams and Andy Shetler were well placed in second as Stylish Rocket made a costly break moving down the backside. Artychoke and Sutton posted a half mile time of :57.1 before feeling pressure from Ed Hensley and G’s O Pete on the outside. Ricky Macomber Jr. had the bettor’s choice, Wilbur’s Z Tam, perfectly placed second over approaching the final turn. Artychoke made a break around the last turn and left the race wide open as the field turned for home. Widger was able to get Royal Todd out in the flow of traffic and in perfect striking position for the stretch drive at three quarter mile marker in 1:28.3. In the stretch, Widger urged the son of Royal Art forward and moved by the leaders to win by a head in the final steps of the mile. QB Killa sat mid pack for much of the race but found racing room late to get up for the second place finish. Wilbur’s Z Tam held on gamely for third.

“He raced really well tonight,” Lorenzo said of his colt. “He was a nice horse last year too but he got sick and we just quit with him to let him grow up rather than push him. In a twelve horse race, you just got to hope for the best, that’s what we did and it worked out in our favor tonight.”

Royal Todd is now two-for-two in his sophomore season and has elevated his career earnings over $30,000 for owners Dobbins Standardbred Inc. and Rod Lorenzo.

Another odds-on favorite was defeated in the second division of the late closing action as A Sweet Ride and Ed Hensley pulled off the 52-1 upset in 1:54.4. Hensley took advantage of a eleven horse field as he sent the three-year-old colt to the front from post seven to stroll through a wind induced :25.3 first quarter. Ron Burke’s heavily favored, Moveoutofmyway made a quarter pole move to the lead to reach the half mile marker in :56.4. E R Melvin and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. were the first to commit as they pulled first up to put a nose in front of the tiring favorite around the final turn. A Sweet Ride was able to find racing room to get up the rail and power home a winner with a :26.4 final kick. Skyway Poncho and Tyler Smith closed hard at the end of the mile to get up for second with Mack Straight and Jason Dillander finishing third. The 1-2 favorite, Moveoutofmyway, managed to finish fourth after a taxing trip.

A Sweet Ride posted his second career win in a lifetime best effort. Sired by Dontgetinmyway, A Sweet Ride is owned by Victory Hill Farm Inc. and trained by Bobby Brower.

The $20,000 final of The Tubby Trimble Series will be held on Thursday, May 3 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.

Gran Gabriel made her second appearance this season in Open company a winning one as she captured the $24,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday (April 27) in a lifetime best effort. Driver Jason Dillander picked up the drive for trainer Terry Cullipher after Cullipher opted to drive stable mate, Carmen O from post five.

Gran Gabriel was unhurried out of the gate as she left from post three to find herself third along the rail through the opening turn.  Josh Sutton and Tyler Smith were in an early battle for the lead as Smith and Aqua Artist found the front end through a first quarter split of :27. However, their lead was short lived as Ronnie Wrenn Jr. urged C R Hope to the outside and had control of the field by the halfway point in a time of :55.4. Gran Gabriel and Dillander were perfectly placed third along the rail with Keene Supreme and Ed Hensley following closely in fourth.

The tempo of the race continued as Cadie’s Gotta Gun and Dale Hiteman were the first to make a run at the leader heading into the final turn through a three-quarter clocking in 1:25.0. As the field began to fan out across the track, Dillander was able to steer Gran Gabriel through traffic to stop the clock in 1:52.4 over the bettor’s choice, Hoponit. Forever Showin Off and Charlie Conrad came into the picture late from the back of the pack to rally for the third place finish.

Trained by Terry Cullipher, Gran Gabriel has now earned over $150,000 lifetime in 33 starts. Sired by Dontgetinmyway, the four-year-old mare is owned by Gary Hayes. Gran Gabriel returned $10.60 for the win. The exacta including Gran Gabriel and the heavily favored Hoponit paid $87.00 with the trifecta paying $156.10.