Trainer/driver Andy Shetler got off to a roaring start Thursday, March 31, kicking off the 18th season of standardbred racing at Hoosier Park with a driving and training double

. The Iowa native earned wins in the first and third races on the card with Soaring Viking and Legal Option, horses that he also trains.

Shetler wasted little time getting back into the groove, placing Soaring Viking directly on the lead through the mini series for claiming horses. The lead never changed hands through the entire mile, leaving Shetler and Soaring Viking as the winners in a time of 1:57.1. Genesis See Yah finished second for Elliott Deaton while Butter Face and Mike Peterson rallied home for third. Shetler also had a second horse in the race, soliciting driving services from Jason Dillander with Call Me Surely, who finished sixth.

“I had a good feeling about this horse (Soaring Viking) in this race,” said Shetler. “My horse has been racing all winter and he’s tight, so I put him right on the front end. It’s always good to start the meet off so well.”

Owned by Their Hensley of Daleville, Ind., Soaring Viking earned his second win of the year. The eight-year-old Hi Ho Silverheels gelding was making his 12th start of the year after racing all winter at Northfield Park.

However, Shetler’s stable was a little lighter at the end of the race. Both Soaring Viking and Call Me Surely were claimed from the event, bringing his total count down to 18 in his stable.

Shetler’s other win of the night came in the third race behind Legal Option. Shetler used different strategy and allowed others to establish themselves in the front spots before moving up on the outside at the halfway point in a time of :58.0. Legal Option followed Hoosier Tiger and Peter Wrenn to the homestretch before tipping off their back and rallying home for the win by more than seven lengths. Dakotas Bridgeman and Dillander finished second over Jug Fever and Trace Tetrick for third.

Legal Option’s win was recorded in his first start of the year for owner Grant Wilfong of Shirley, Ind. The nine-year-old Kentucky Spur gelding earned his 32nd career win and pushed his career earnings over the $170,000.

A native of Iowa, Shetler has been a mainstay in the driving ranks at Hoosier Park for the past decade. He finished 10th in the standings last season, earning his sixth consecutive spot among the track’s top 10 in the past seven years. Shetler also earned his 1,000th career win at Hoosier Park last year.

Shetler was the only driver or trainer to score a driving double on the opening night racing program at Hoosier Park. The 80-day meet continues through Saturday, July 16, offering live racing Tuesday through Saturday. Post time is 5:30 p.m. EST each evening with the exception of Saturdays when racing begins at 4:30 p.m. A special 4:30 p.m. post will be held Friday, April 22 due to the Grits & Glamour Tour concert by Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan in the Terrace Showroom.

(Hoosier Park)