Peter Wrenn was the star of the show Saturday, July 10 during Hoosier Champions Night at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. The track’s leading driver brought home six wins on the 14-race program, including three Indiana Sires Stakes finals, two of which came from his stable

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Msnaughtybynature and Earls Glider, both trained by Wrenn, kept their records perfect for the year, each earning their fifth win of the season. Msnaughtybynature led gate to wire in the $200,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final for three-year-old trotting fillies. The Scramble Ranger filly won in a time of 1:56.4, defeating the field by six lengths. Ideal Secret and Verlin Yoder finished second over Sally and Mark O’Mara for third.

Earls Glider polished off another top effort in the $200,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final for three-year-old trotting geldings. The son of Earl Of Stormont had a different route, moving to the lead before the half and then cruising home to a five and three-quarter length win in a time of 1:56.4. Dakotas Final and Sam Widger finished second over ABC Photo and Lemoyne Svendsen for third.

Wrenn was also victorious in the older pacing mare division of the $100,000 Indiana Sires Stakes with Francies Dream. Starting from Post 5, the six-year-old Dream Work mare got away toward the back of the pack and maneuvered through traffic to find a seam late for the win. Francies Dream earned her sixth win of the season for trainer Ron Otto in a time of 1:53, one length ahead of Go On BB and Ricky Macomber. Ms Rush and Elliott Deaton finished third.

“It’s just one of those nights,” said Wrenn. “I thought I was in real trouble with this one [Francies Dream] and then all of a sudden, it worked out perfectly. I could stand here and analyze this race all night but it didn’t matter. It seemed like whatever I did I came out smelling like a rose. Ron [Otto] and I have teamed up for a good meet. He always has his horses ready to go and does a good job in prepping them. I hate to see the season end.”

Wrenn, who earned his 8,301 career win during the night, is now stabled at the Indiana State Fairground assisted by his wife, Melanie. They currently have six horses in training and will move to Indiana Downs for the upcoming season that begins in a few weeks.

Other wins on the night for Wrenn included Gale Warning in the $17,500 Open Trot, Dollys Joy in the $30,000 Sandra Lil Series final for two-year-old pacing fillies, and Firstclassallthway in the $30,000 Indiana Sires Stakes consolation for three-year-old colt pacers. In all, Wrenn guided home winners with purse earnings totaling $577,500.

Other winners for the evening in Indiana Sires Stakes finals included ABC Mercedes and Joe Putnam in the older trot for horses and geldings, Royal Woods and Ed Hensley in the $200,000 three-year-old pacing colts and geldings division, and Dark Alley Sally with Josh Sutton in the $200,000 three-year-old pacing fillies division. Total purses for the evening were more than $1.2 million, the second largest pari-mutuel horse racing program ever contested in the state of Indiana for any breed.

Johnson Wins Lawn Tractor At Hoosier Park

Julie Johnson of Alexandria, Indiana was the winner of the John Deere X360 Lawn Tractor Saturday, July 10 during Hoosier Champions Night at Hoosier Park. Presented by the Indiana Standardbred Breed Development, the evening featured more than $1 million in purse money for 14 races that highlighted six Indiana Sires Stakes finals.

“I was up in line waiting to order some food when I heard my name called,” said Johnson. “I just left the line and came down to the winner’s circle to claim the prize. This was way more important.”

Johnson was the second name drawn for the Lawn Tractor. The first name called was not present to win, as required by the promotion. Johnson was presented with the Lawn Tractor by members of the Fab Five Drivers including Trace Tetrick, Jason Dillander, Ricky Macomber and Joe Putnam. The Challenger Peter Wrenn was also available for the promotion following the final race of the night.

“We have a big yard at home so this will be put to good use,” said Johnson. “I come out to the track probably more than I should. It’s nice to meet the drivers. I watch them race a lot. I’m just wondering which one is going to come over and cut my lawn with this new tractor.”

In addition to the John Deere Lawn Tractor giveaway, the Indiana Standardbred Breed Development presented racing fans with a hat while supplies lasted upon arrival for the races. Kelly Roush, Michael Christner, Jessica Barnes and Frankie Edmonds also awarded trophies and blankets to each of the winning horses during the evening. Edmonds also drew the name as the grand prize winner of the Lawn Tractor.

(Pictured with Johnson, who is sitting in the seat of her new Lawn Tractor, are from left to right front row (kneeling) Joe Putnam and Peter Wrenn, second row Kelly Roush, Johnson, Trace Tetrick, Ricky Macomber, Jason Dillander, and Frankie Edmonds.)

(Hoosier Park)