In so many ways, it was just another trip to the winners circle, but in one way it was a little more memorable. Andy Shetler earned his 1,000th career win Saturday, June 5 and could not have been happier

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Shetler drove Brandons Secret to a close finish in the evening’s 11th race to beat out Noble Commander and Jason Dillander and Cuda Boy, with Ricky Macomber, right at the finish line for the memorable win. They trotted the final quarter in :28.4 to earn the victory in a time of 1:56.2, just a half-length ahead of the other two horses.

As Hoosier Park team members welcomed Shetler into the winner’s circle, he was honoured by a sign to highlight the moment. His wife, Dixie, accompanied him and was also extremely joyful. She was also very pleased they were able to share the moment with Brandons Secret and trainer Steve Gray. Along with Royalton Star, Brandons Secret is one of the top horses that Shetler has been driving all season at Hoosier Park.

Shetler is a lifetime driver in the harness racing industry. Like many horsemen, he grew up in the business that perpetuated his career choice. Shetler has accumulated a majority of his wins in Indiana after coming up from Florida.

“I liked the program and the direction it looked to be heading,” said Shetler, when asked how he came to Indiana. “It’s a great feeling to get my 1,000th career win here.”

A native of Iowa, Shetler now resides in Greenfield, Indiana where he purchased a home that is situated halfway between Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs. His best year to date was recorded in 2007 when he brought home 267 winners and topped the $1 million mark in earnings. Also a trainer, Shetler has found success with several horses from his barn, including the top female pacer Buds Ho, who was co-owned by Shetler and earned nearly $100,000, taking a career best time of 1:52.4 at Hoosier Park. Other notable horses from Shetler’s barn in recent years include Indiana Sires Stakes contender Hoosier Hi Flyer and older pacing horse Im All Jazz.

Shetler has been a consistent member of the top 10 drivers at Hoosier Park since 2004. He has recorded 279 career wins at Hoosier Park to rank 16th among the track’s top drivers all-time. Shetler is currently in 10th place this season with 19 wins through the first 53 racing programs at Hoosier Park.

ABC Mercedes Wins Invitational Trot

ABC Mercedes and Joe Putnam were untouchable in the week’s top trot. The duo rallied down the stretch to take advantage of a recent purse increase and claim the lion’s share of the $25,000 purse in the Invitational Trot.

Starting from post six, Putnam looked over to see what others in the race had planned at the starting gate before selecting a spot for ABC Mercedes. Once NF Soaring and Rick Farrington had reached the quarter-mile marker in a time of :27.4, Putnam rolled ABC Mercedes right to the front spot and established the remaining fractions of :56.3 and 1:26.

“I wanted to see what was going to happen before we left the gate,” said Putnam, who has more than 2,700 career wins. “There was some speed inside of us, but there were no huge fractions early, so I floated him [ABC Mercedes] to the front. He’s very professional once he gets to the front. He gets relaxed at that point.”

In the stretch, one tap of the whip was all it took to alert ABC Mercedes it was time to kick into gear. The five-year-old son of ABC Garland stretched out his stride and trotted home in :28 seconds to win in 1:54.4 by three and three-quarter lengths. He is now five-for-seven in 2010. Speed N The Tunnel and Sam Widger closed well to finish second. NF Soaring for third.

“Last week, we started from the nine hole and didn’t get a very good trip,” said Putnam. “This was a little shorter field tonight, which helped and was a little bit of relief for us.”

Owned by Larry Miller of Springport, Indiana, ABC Mercedes is nearing $525,000 in career earnings. With 33 wins in 48 career starts, he has proven to be a consistent performer for Miller and Putnam, who have raced him through his entire campaign.

“He’s really an easy keeper, so to speak, his entire career,” said Putnam. “If he’s racing every week, he is out in the field every day and only comes into jog. If he gets a week or two off, then we train him in between races but he still sees a lot of time in the paddock. He stays sharp when he’s racing. He has a great attitude and a great will to win.”

ABC Mercedes is getting one step closer to the first and only preliminary leg for the upcoming Indiana Sires Stakes final for older trotting stallions and geldings. The $20,000 preliminary round is set for Saturday, July 3. The top finishers in the event will return Saturday, July 10 for Hoosier Champions Night, in which purses will exceed the $1 million mark.

Another horse eyeing the finals will be Indiana-sired Robin I Scoot, winner of the $25,000 Invitational Pace in the 10th race. Trained by Dan Perdue, Robin I Scoot easily defeated his foes in the event in 1:51.1 to score his fifth race in 10 starts this year. He is owned by Shady Lane Farm of Grabill, Indiana. Trace Tetrick drives Robin I Scoot.

Kokomo Man Wins $56,000

The Belmont Stakes had plenty of after-race excitement at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino Saturday, June 5. Tom Hanlon of Kokomo, Indiana took home a hefty check after scoring with the special $4,000 Belmont Mega Bet promotion.

Based off of the Kentucky Derby Dream Bet contest, Hoosier Park hosted its own type of contest, deemed the $4,000 Belmont Mega Bet. Five weeks ago Glenn Fullerton walked away with just under $1 million by placing the $100,000 he was given on the Kentucky Derby winning horse Super Saver.

Hanlon had to select one entrant from the 12-horse field in the Belmont Stakes as his choice to win it all. He did just that. Watching the race on television at Hoosier Park, Hanlon hit for $56,000 by selecting Drosselmeyer, who entered the gate at 12-1 odds, to win the Belmont Stakes.

In addition to Hanlon’s $4,000 win wager in the Belmont Mega Bet promotion, 10 people were also given $100 to make a win bet on the Belmont Stakes. No other player selected the seven (Drosselmeyer) as their choice in the Belmont Stakes.

Hanlon and his wife, Joey, came to Hoosier Park Saturday in pursuit of a fun night. After correctly picking the Belmont winner, they will walk away with a little more than fond memories from the event.

“I have been handicapping for 40 years and I have learned when betting Thoroughbreds it is about beating favorites,” said Hanlon. “I liked both the 7 [Drosselmeyer] and the 12 horse [Interactif] to do that. Drosselmeyer had run well in his past races but just hadn’t won a race.”

Hanlon doesn’t usually bet on stakes races. He feels it is too tough to pick a winner because the horses are all capable of pulling in a win. He also downplayed his handicapping talent by stating “I’m just a lucky Irish man!”

Residents of Kokomo, Indiana, the Hanlons are regulars at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. They operate a successful golf business, Rice’s Golf Center, in their hometown. The Hanlons plan on making some charitable contributions with their winnings from the $4,000 Belmont Mega Bet.

(Hoosier Park)