The photo finish camera was needed to try and separate Just A Bee and Montenegro in Friday’s $21,000 Invitational Pace for fillies and mares at Hoosier Park, but it couldn’t be done as the mares dead heated for the win in 1:53.
Montenegro was sent firing away from the gate by driver Jason Dillander to get the first call in :27.4. Just a Bee and Mike Micallef also left aggressively to grab a pocket seat behind the pacesetter while the rest of the field sorted out early position. Montenegro then led through fractions of :56.2 and 1:24.3 as the field remained in a single file line down the backside. Pertty Music and Ed Hensley were the first to commit to the outer flow with Miss Kilo and Trace Tetrick in tow approaching the final turn.
As the field turned for home, Montenegro was able to put away Pertty Music but she still had her work cut out for her with Just A Bee sitting on her back in the pocket. Micallef found late racing room up the rail and Just A Bee exploded from the pocket to reach the leader. Now stride for stride, both mares dug in gamely to cross the wire together. Miss Kilo held on for third-place honours.
For Montenegro, it was the second consecutive victory at Hoosier Park and 30th career win. Trained by Jeff Cullipher, Montenegro has now earned $37,260 for the season for owners Randall Bendis and Thomas Pollack. The seven-year-old daughter of Camluck-Cyber Wave now sports a lifetime bankroll of $532, 789.
Just A Bee scored her first seasonal victory at Hoosier Park and ninth victory from 14 outings in 2015. Trained by Mike Micallef, Just A Bee has earned $71,625 this season for owners Anita Micallef, John McGoff, and Greg Heath. With the win, the seven-year-old daughter of Mr Feelgood-Tawnees Mark notched her 34th lifetime victory from 141 starts.
(With files from Hoosier Park)