Speed Trap, with Sam Widger at the lines, shattered the track record for two-year-old pacing geldings thanks to his 1:50.4 triumph in Tuesday’s second round of the $30,000 Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Hoosier Park.
Notching his fifth win of the season, Speed Trap bested his lifetime mark by nearly four seconds and became the fastest pacing colt in Indiana Sire Stakes history with the 1:50.4 score.
In just the seventh start of his freshman campaign, Speed Trap defeated a field of seven to lower the track record by nearly two seconds. The previous record of 1:52 for two-year-old pacing geldings was established by Bluehourpower and Ricky Macomber in the $200,000 Indiana Sire Stakes final on September 11. The 1:50.4 victory also marked the twentieth track record that has been re-established over Hoosier Park’s seven-eighths mile oval in 2013.
Leaving from post two, Speed Trap was unhurried from the gate as Next Thing Smoken and Tyler Smith left alertly from the rail to get the first call in :26. Always At My Place and Jason Dillander battled early for position and settled for a pocket trip while Totally Kissed and Brad Hanners followed suit along the rail in third.
Next Thing Smoken continued to dictate fractions of :54.3 and remained uncontested through the three-quarter station in 1:22.4. Always At My Place was head strong in second and was tipped to the outside as the field turned for home with Always B Miki and Ed Hensley in tow. While the battle on the front ensued, Speed Trap loomed large in the background.
Utilizing his customary late charge in the lane, Speed Trap was able to find racing room late in the stretch and power home in :26.3 to win by a length. Always B Miki battled gamely to finish second while Sling Shot Shooter and Trace Tetrick finished third. Slightly dismissed at 8-1, Speed Trap returned $19.00 to his backers at the windows.
Trained, owned, and bred by Stanley Miller, Speed Trap has now won five of seven lifetime starts while finishing second twice. From the first crop of United Ace, Speed Trap sports a lifetime bankroll of $47,675.
“He was a little small at the start of the season so I backed him off for 30 days,” Miller noted after the race. “I always knew he was a nice colt, but I didn’t know he had that kind of speed in him. I just hope he stays this good for the rest of the season. He has been a pleasure to race.”
Speed Trap will look to make his next start in the third leg of the $30,000 Indiana Gold Sire Stakes slated for Wednesday, October 9 at Hoosier Park. The Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings will culminate with a $200,000 final on Saturday, October 19 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.
(Hoosier Park)