Speed N The Tunnel and driver Sam Widger proved that another year at Hoosier Park has not slowed them. The duo picked up a win in the meet’s first $24,000 Invitational Trot of the year on Tuesday, April 5, as they covered their test with a 1:57, gate-to-wire effort.

Having started from Post 5, Speed N The Tunnel got right to the lead and cut the early fractions in :27.3 and :57.2 without a challenge. Race favourite Defend The Rock, (driven by Dave Magee), sat patiently at their back and hoped for a two-hole trip to the stretch.

After passing the three-quarter mile marker in 1:27.3, Speed N The Tunnel began to move away from the field. She went on to win comfortably by two and three-quarter lengths. Definer (Peter Wrenn) rallied up for second, followed by Defend the Rock along the inside for third.

“I had a little concern about Dave Magee’s horse (Defend The Rock) on my back until we turned for home,” said Widger. “When I didn’t hear him breathing down my back anymore, I thought she was okay. Brett (Wilfong) does a great job with her. He did have an advantage in this race because she’s been racing all winter. There are some nice horses in here and when they get a few starts in, it’s going to be tough to beat them.”

The win for the one-eyed Speed N The Tunnel was her 39th career victory for owners Brett and Lynn Wilfong. The eight-year-old homebred daughter of Armbro Tunnel now has in excess of $562,000 in career earnings. She was the only female in the field of seven vying for the Invitational title.

“She (Speed N The Tunnel) is just like she was when she was four,” said Widger. “She doesn’t change from year to year. She’s still strong and tough and doesn’t know she’s racing against the boys.”

In the top pacing event of the evening, the Bobby Brower trained four-year-old Allthatgltrsisgold (Dave Magee) looked impressive in their return to the winner’s circle, as they posted a win time of 1:52.4 in the $24,000 Invitational Pace.

“We haven’t made any changes to this horse (Allthatgltrsisgold) at all,” said Brower. “I think he is learning how to race against the higher competition classes. I’d like to see him have a few more starts on the front before he heads back out East later this summer.”

Brower went on to state, “Deb (Brower) does a great job with this horse, and personally takes care of him. He’s a great horse to take care of. He’s not rambunctious at all and when he’s here, he sleeps a lot. When he goes into detention before a race, he’ll lie down and sleep. He really takes care of himself.”

(With files from Hoosier Park)