Sweet Talkin Satin shattered the track record for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings when he powered home a winner in 1:50.2 in the opening round of the $30,000 Indiana Gold Sire Stakes on Saturday, August 3 in front of a packed house at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.
With Trace Tetrick at the lines, Sweet Talkin Satin overcame a tough first-over trip to establish a new track record and set a new lifetime best mark in the process. The previous track record for three-year-old pacing geldings was 1:50.3, a mark set by Beeeeyouuuuuu and driver Brad Hanners on June 14, 2008 and a mark that Sweet Talkin Satin equalled three starts ago.
Leaving from post four, Sweet Talkin Satin was sent off the gate enough to grab position along the rail in third as Astreos Love went to the front from post six. Astreos Love led the sire stakes field to the first quarter in :26.2 before Right Touch brushed to the lead as they hit the half in :55.2.
The heavy betting favourite, Night Pro, opted for a trip off the pace and was along the rail in seventh. Right Touch continued to call the shots through the three-quarter clocking in 1:24.1, but would quickly feel pressure on the outside by Sweet Talkin Satin.
Tetrick asked the gelded son of Always A Virgin for more and he responded with a :26.1 final panel to win by three lengths in front of Right Touch, who battled gamely for second. Virgil rallied from seventh to finish third. Pulling the upset, Sweet Talkin Satin returned $11 to his backers.
Trained by Tom Tetrick, Sweet Talkin Satin notched the fourth win of his sophomore season from 12 seasonal starts. Coming off a third place finish in the $200,000 Indiana Sire Stakes final, Sweet Talkin Satin sent his career bankroll over the $150,000 mark for owners Jim Ainsworth or Sarnia, Ont. and Bill Boden of Vancouver, B.C. The sophomore pacer has been a model of consistency in 2013 having finished on the board in 11 of his 12 seasonal outings.
The second leg of the Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings will continue on Saturday, August 10 at Hoosier Park. The four leg series will culminate with the $200,000 final slated for September 11 at Hoosier Park.
(With files from Hoosier Park)