Nothing But Nice and driver Sam Widger used a determined stretch rally to get up in the final strides of Tuesday’s $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final for three-year-old trotting fillies at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.
The Robert Reeser-trained filly was able to use the long Hoosier Park stretch to her advantage, to stop the timer in 1:56.4 over a fast track. After winning her elimination last week, Nothing But Nice made a clean sweep of the final round of the preliminary stakes action for three-year-old trotting fillies.
Leaving from post two in the talented field of ten, Nothing But Nice was unhurried from the gate and settled along the rail in fourth while a host of others left for early position. Mayfair Kate and Earl Avenatti, Jr. left aggressively and were the first to get a call through the opening panel in :27.3 while Rick Plano and Dont Ya also left alertly but opted for a pocket trip. Trace Tetrick was unable to find a spot along the rail with Let Her Go and was forced to press on to the front. Let Her Go reached the leader’s wheel at the half in :57.2 but was unable to clear Mayfair Kate.
Mayfair Kate continued to call the shots approaching the final turn but would soon be joined on the outside by Nothing But Nice and Sam Widger who tipped out around a tiring Let Her Go. Nothing But Nice was matching strides with the leader at the third station in 1:27.2 as the rest of the field was also closing in.
Nothing But Nice was able to wear down Mayfair Kate but Fawn De Savage and Dan Shetler were closing well on the outside. Nothing But Nice continued to rally and used a :29.2 final quarter to hold off a late surge from Playful Swan and Don Eash up the rail. Fawn De Savage got steppy late in the lane but held on to round out the trifecta. Nothing But Nice returned $11.40 at the betting windows for the slight upset.
“She always tries hard,” Widger noted in the winner’s circle. “She’s a nice filly who gives it her all every week. She was very strong tonight.”
The homebred daughter of Abc Garland-Eicarls Theresa has now won four of 17 seasonal including the previous $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final at Hoosier Park in late August. Owned by Risto J. Vidgren, Nothing But Nice has now earned $216,385 while winning six of 26 lifetime outings.
Indiana Sires Stakes action will continue at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday, October 5 with the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings. Wednesday’s 14-race card will also be highlighted by a $20,000 Guaranteed trifecta in the opening leg of the pick-5, race 10 on the card.
(Hoosier Park)