It was a Bluegrass kind of evening at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino as Dr. Luel Overstreet’s horses kicked off the three-year-old filly Indiana Sires Stakes season with two victories Friday, May 15

. Leading Driver Peter Wrenn guided Ag N Au Bluegrass home in the first division of the three-year-old filly pace and Dan Shetler drove Livnluvn Bluegrass to victory in the first division of the three-year-old filly trot.

Starting from the second tier in the bulky field of 11, Ag N Au Bluegrass (pronounced Silver and Gold Bluegrass) got away in mid pack and followed along as a lot of activity took place on the lead. Watts Ff Money and Don Eash were the first leaders at the quarter in :28.0 followed by Tappin Tammy and Marlin Frey, who led the field through the half in :57.0.

Tappin Tammy continued to lead to the three-quarter mile marker in 1:25.4. In the stretch, Wrenn got Ag N Au Bluegrass out and ready for the sprint home, blowing by the field and nabbing the win in a time of 1:53.4 by nearly six lengths. Jnb N Me and Brad Hanners moved up for second over Sapphire Martini and Trace Tetrick for third.

“This is the first time I had driven her (Ag N Au Bluegrass) and I didn’t know what to expect,” said Wrenn. “Her connections said great things about her. We were trying to make our strategy coming from off the pace and she came off cover real strong.”

Ag N Au Bluegrass now has two wins in four outings for 2009. The three-year-old daughter of Whitefish Falls increased her career bankroll to more than $85,000 in the $25,000 event and lowered her career best time with the effort. She is trained by John Merkel.

The team of Overstreet and Merkel was right back in the winner’s circle the following race in the first division of the three-year-old trotting event of the Indiana Sires Stakes. Livnluvn Bluegrass and Shetler used similar strategy and were in no hurry as the field passed by the quarter in :28.0.

Primetime Patsy and Greg Runyon continued to lead the way to the half in :57.3 and remained strong to the three-quarters in 1:27.2. In the stretch, however, a different story unfolded. Livnluvn Bluegrass tipped to the center of the track and began to chase down the leaders, rolling by with ease and onto victory in 1:58.2 by one and three-quarter lengths. Mayfair Secredo and Mark O’Mara rallied well for second over Primetime Patsy, who held game for third.

“I was a little surprised about the fast early fractions,” said Shetler. “She (Livnluvn Bluegrass) raced exactly how I wanted. I sat back and let the other horses beat each other up. Going down the stretch, I just try to measure it out and saw the other horses slowing down. She won quite handily.”

A standout two-year-old for Overstreet and Merkel, Livnluvn Bluegrass now has three wins in four starts for 2009. The chestnut daughter of Keep It A Secret moves closer to the $100,000 barrier in career earnings.

In the second division of sophomore pacing fillies, newcomers Ms Rush and Dan Charlino stayed close to the front to gain the advantage in the end, winning their division in 1:55.0. Owned by Charles and Donna Martin of Ashley, Ohio, Ms Rush won her first race at Hoosier Park and added to the already established bankroll of $25,000. William Rhoades trains the Electric Yankee filly, who has been racing at The Meadows. Lilasue and Jeff Cullipher finished second over Misty Dreamer and Hanners.

“I thought it was great how she (Ms Rush) fought back after Peter Wrenn’s horse (Sweetsgetintheway) went off stride,” said Charlino. “She was able to maneuver around the horse and move on. This is the third time I’ve driven her. I normally drive at Northfield on Fridays, but the owners asked me to come over and drive her.”

Other Indiana Sires Stakes winners on the day included Monkey Shine and Hanners in the second division of trotting fillies. Trained by Pete Steury, Monkey Shine won her division by a neck over JRs Star and Jay Cross in 1:59.3. Secret Liz and Don Eash maintained positioning for third.

(Hoosier Park)