Pacing colts were the featured attraction at Hoosier Park on Wednesday, April 10, as three legs of the Jerry Landess Series were on tap.
The Jerry Landess Series is a late-closing event open to three and four-year-old Indiana-sired colts and geldings that are non-winners of $7,500 lifetime.
Mysterious Bob and Pete Wrenn made amends for their second-place finish in the first rounds of the series, as they coasted home to a 1:55.3 victory. After having left from Post 2, Wrenn let the three-year-old gelding settle through first half fractions of :27.3 and :58 set by Chipchompinchampin and Tyler Smith. Progressive Hanover benefitted from a pocket trip while Noha and Trace Tetrick followed in third. Wrenn made his move down the backside and Mysterious Bob cleared to the front around the three-quarters mark in 1:27.3 as the field began to tighten. With a :28 final panel, Mysterious Bob cruised home victorious, two lengths in front of Endeavors King and Tony Hall who rallied from off the pace to finish second. Chimpchompinchampin paced evenly to round out the trifecta.
Mysterious Bob didn’t disappoint as the publics’ choice, as he scored his first win of the season and second lifetime victory. By Always A Virgin, Mysterious Bob is owned by W.C. DeLong, W.P. DeLong, and E.J. Miller. Trained by Roger Welch, Mysterious Bob established a new lifetime mark with the victory.
Rhis Scootn Rondo and driver Sam Widger staged a big rally late in the lane to take the second division of the Landess action in 1:58.2. The four-year-old gelding had his work cut out for him as he started from the outside in Post 8 in the eight-horse field. With a final quarter in :27.4, Rhis Scootn Rondo was able to track down the heavily-favoured Gleaming Big Guy in the lane to notch his first win of the season. Gleaming Big Guy and Tony Hall finished second while Ransomed and Pete Wrenn held on for the third-place finish. Rhis Scootn Rondo is trained by Ora Miller and owned by Lori and Michael Wheeler of West Sacramento, California.
In the final division, Pete Wrenn scored a driving double in the late-closing action as he guided Night Pro to victory in 1:56.2. The three-year-old colt visited Hoosier Park’s winner's circle for the second consecutive time and pushed his win streak to three. Wrenn made an early decision for position as he sent Night Pro to the front through an opening panel of :28. The bettors’ choice, Suddenly Single, made his move to the lead down the backside as Wrenn yielded for a pocket trip. Suddenly Single and Sam Widger led the field of nine through a leisurely half in :58.2 before making a costly break around the final turn. Inheriting the lead, Night Pro turned back any challengers as he charged home in :26.4 to win by six and one quarter lengths. Barley Pop and Trace Tetrick finished second while Bullwinkle and Kayne Kauffman came from off the pace to finish third. By Pro Bono Best, Night Pro is owned and trained by Dale Decker and is the first foal from the multiple stakes winning mare Midnight Jewel.
The top 10 point earners in each leg of the series will return for the $15,000 final of the Jerry Landess Series, which is slated for Wednesday, April 17 at Hoosier Park.
(Hoosier)