Castle Flight recorded not only the fastest mile in North America thus far this season, but also tied the overall track record of 1:47.2 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday, May 31.

The 1:47.2 track record was originally established by Sweet Lou in 2014.

Driven by LeWayne Miller, Castle Flight upset the competitive field of Open pacers in Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s $20,000 seventh race, paying $58.20 to win for his betting backers. The Dylan Davis trainee recorded his sixth win of the 2019 season.

The betting public had chosen Indiana Sires Stakes and Grand Circuit champion Always A Prince, with driver Trace Tetrick, as their winner. Always A Prince, trained by Tyler George, quickly settled into the second spot from the outside until the quarter in :26.2. Fan Of Terror, driven by John De Long, led the pacers until the half in :53.2. Always A Prince claimed the first position after the half and heading towards three-quarters in 1:20.2. He remained on top throughout the stretch.

As the horses approached the wire, Castle Flight passed the heavy favourite, stopping the clock in 1:47.2, followed by Breeders Crown champion Beckhams Z Tam and Ricky Macomber Jr. in second. Always A Prince finished third.

With the win, the son of Panspacificflight-O Narutac Castle brought his lifetime bankroll up to $276,476. This was the gelding’s 27th lifetime win for owner Michael Casalino Jr.

Friday’s 12-race card also featured four divisions of the first leg of Indiana Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings. The division winners were: Tellmeabout, driven by LeWayne Miller, in 1:49.2; Egomania, driven by John De Long, in 1:49.4; Rockin TJ, driven by Michael Oosting, in 1:51.1; and Feherty, driven by Peter Wrenn, in 1:50 flat.

Indiana Sires Stakes action will continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Saturday, June 1 with three $34,500 divisions for the three-year-old pacing fillies. The 14-race card will also feature a $20,000 Open Trot.

(With files from Hoosier Park)