The 2016 undefeated Freaky Feet Pete continued his winning ways in the featured event, a $21,000 Invitational Pace, at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday, May 14. Racing fans turned out on a chilly night in Indiana and the hometown hero did not disappoint, scoring in 1:50 by five lengths.
Starting from post six, Freaky Feet Pete was unhurried from the gate this week by regular pilot Trace Tetrick and settled along the rail in fourth. Fearless Diablo and LeWayne Miller got the first call through an opening quarter in :26.4, but their lead would be short-lived. Tetrick gave Freaky Feet Pete the green light and the duo surged up to take command at the second station in :55.1.
Reaching the three-quarters in 1:23, Freaky Feet Pete was on top by three and never seriously challenged en route to his third straight victory. Using a :27 final quarter and under no urging from Tetrick, Freaky Feet Pete finished five lengths in front of Nitro and John Delong. Shooters Dream and Jason Dillander rallied for third-place honours.
As the heavy betting favourite, Freaky Feet Pete returned $2.10 to his backers at the windows.
“He [Freaky Feet Pete] was very good tonight,” Tetrick noted after the win. “I raced him off the gate tonight, it wasn’t necessarily the plan, but that’s just how it looked when the wings folded. You can do anything you want with him. He’s very sharp right now.”
Freaky Feet Pete notched the third win of his four-year-old campaign and 27th career victory from 30 lifetime outings for trainer Larry Rheinheimer. The homebred son of Rockin Image-Skyway Lori has now earned $1,229,953 lifetime for his owners, Mary Jo Rheinheimer and Marty Rheinheimer.
Rheinheimer’s star pupil will head to Northfield Park for his first major stakes engagement of the season, the $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park on May 21. When Freaky Feet Pete lines up behind the gate, it will be the first time he has raced over a half-mile track.
“He trains on a half-mile track at home,” Rheinheimer noted after the win. “I’m really not worried at all about him getting around the track; I think he will take to it just fine. I think the post position will matter, but I’m not worried about how he will get around the smaller track.
“He’s definitely matured some this year,” Rheinheimer continued. “It’s hard to tell if he’s the best he’s ever been, but he’s happy and seems good. We will know more next after his race, but this was a good race for him tonight, I think he’s ready to go.”
(With files from Hoosier Park)