For the third time in one week, the track record was lowered over Hoosier Park’s seven-eighth-mile oval on Wednesday, October 2, marking the 21st track record that has been re-established throughout the 2013 racing season.

Nat A Virgin, with Brad Hanners at the lines, became Hoosier Park’s newest track record holder when she powered home a winner in 1:52.4 in the second round of the $30,000 Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies.

In just the sixth start of her freshman season, Nat A Virgin used a determined rally late in the lane to defeat a field of 10 and score her third win of the season. The previous track record of 1:53 was established by U R It BB and Brett Miller in the $200,000 Indiana Sire Stakes final on September 11.

Leaving from the rail, Nat A Virgin was away a worrisome seventh while the rest of the field battled for early position. Always Dee One and Ricky Macomber Jr. were the first to get a call through the opening panel in :27.4, but their lead was short-lived as Sam Widger had Tough Rose out and firing. Tough Rose dictated fractions of :56.1 and 1:25 before the rest of the field closed in.

As the field rounded the final turn, Hanners tipped Nat A Virgin three-wide and she responded with a :27.2 final panel to win by two lengths. U R It BB battled gamely to finish second while Colors A Virgin got up for the third-place finish. As the heavy betting favourite, Nat A Virgin returned $4.20 to her backers at the window.

Sired by Always A Virgin, the freshman filly scored her second consecutive victory after posting a win in a late-closing event at The Red Mile in a lifetime-best effort of 1:52.2 last week. Trained by Bobby Brower, Nat A Virgin has now earned $28,066 for her connections of Dustin Jones Stable Inc. and William Jones.

The third round of the $30,000 Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies is slated for Wednesday, October 9 at Hoosier Park.

(Hoosier Park)