An eight-year-old track record was matched on Saturday night by a horse making just his second start in the Open trotting ranks.

Guided by Brad Hanners, Penn pulled off the 22-1 upset in the co-featured event of the evening at Hoosier Park, a $22,000 Invitational Trot, on Saturday, June 14.

Starting from post two in the talented field of eight, Penn was unhurried off the gate and settled along the rail in fourth. Martz Time and Trace Tetrick left alertly to dictate early fractions of :27.3 and :56.4 while Somebody As and Ross Leonard benefitted from a pocket seat. Verlin Yoder had the post-time favourite, Natural Herbie, nicely placed along the rail in third but wouldn’t stay long as they began their long, first-over bid approaching the final turn.

Martz Time continued to call the shots around the third panel in 1:24.3 but was engaged by Natural Herbie on the outside as the field turned for home. Martz Time was able to put away Natural Herbie but the biggest threat was still behind him. Somebody As tipped from the pocket and made a strong big at the leader but it was Penn who was widest and strongest of all.

Using a :27.3 last quarter, Penn tipped four-wide and found another gear to the win in the final strides of the mile in a lifetime best 1:53. Somebody As finished second at odds of 36-1 while Martz Time rounded out the trifecta that paid $3,483.20. Penn returned $46.40 to his backers.

Trained by Bobby Brower, Penn scored his sixth win from eight seasonal starts. The four-year-old gelded son of Master Glide-Photo Queen scored his 18th career victory and has now earned $75,875 for owner, Barkley Counts.

The victory was one of three wins for driver Brad Hanners on the evening’s 14-race card. Hanners also scored with Rocknroll Band for trainer Keith Richeson and then once more with Grant Wilfong’s Jade Mountain.

(Hoosier)