Two of Indiana’s finest trotters battled it out to the finish in the $20,000 prep race of the Indiana Sires Stakes

Saturday, July 3.

Hoosier Cadillac (Mark O’Mara) chased down ABC Mercedes (Joe Putnam) in the final strides to take home the top prize in a time of 1:55.1. Both horses will return for the $100,000 final next Saturday, July 10 during Hoosier Champions Night, which features more than $1 million in purse money for the state’s top performers.

Starting from the inside post one, Hoosier Cadillac used his inside advantage for the top spot early, passing by the quarter-mile marker in a time of :28.1. ABC Mercedes wasn’t far behind. He had moved on to the lead and settled in by the halfway point in 1:57.4. His momentum never let up as he continued to lead the way with Hoosier Cadillac right at his back, passing the three-quarter mile marker in a time of 1:27.2.

In the stretch, Hoosier Cadillac had to maneuver his way around some traffic before getting a clear lane to display his best stride. ABC Mercedes was still strong on the lead and was not slowing down, forcing Hoosier Cadillac to find a stronger gear in the final steps, pulling off the win by just a neck at the wire. Hesaflashysecret (Rick Farrington) finished third.

“I got a really good trip tonight,” said O’Mara. “We were able to follow him (ABC Mercedes) until the last few steps. Our horse has been doing well. We are hoping to get some luck as we go for a lot next week.”

Hoosier Cadillac, the track’s 2009 Older Trotter of the Year, was making his fifth start of the year and his first trip to the winner’s circle. The six-year -old son of Ripkens Victory now has 24 wins in 43 career starts for a total of more than $288,000 in earnings. His career best time of 1:53.4 was taken at the age of six for owner Mel Gilbert and his wife, Sally, who serves as trainer of the talented gelding.

Hoosier Cadillac will be part of Hoosier Champions during the final weekend of racing. Sponsored by the Indiana Standardbred Breed Development, the evening will offer racing fans a hat giveaway as well as a premium prize giveaway. One lucky fan will go home as the winner of a John Deere lawn tractor. The drawing will be held following the races.

In other Indiana Sires Stakes action, Go On BB, Indiana’s first female millionaire, won her division of the older pacing mares division winning in a time of 1:54. The six-year-old daughter of Dontgetinmyway was a winner by one and one-quarter lengths for driver Ricky Macomber over Francies Dream (Peter Wrenn). Marks Mindy (Josh Sutton) finished third.

Owned by Frank Baldachino, Go On BB now has 51 career wins. She is trained by Ron Burke, who leads the trainer standings for 2010 at Hoosier Park.

In the other division of older pacing mares, Ms Rush (Elliott Deaton) cruised home a winner, taking her division in a time of 1:52.3. Owned by Horseshoe Road Farm of Ashley, Ohio, Ms Rush picked up her fifth win of 2010 for trainer Mark Deaton. The four-year-old Electric Yankee mare moved over the $100,000 mark with the win.

Go On BB and Ms Rush will face each other in the $100,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final during Hoosier Champions night. They will be joined by the top point earners in each division to go for the final jackpot.

(Hoosier Park)