Betterluvnexttime rattled off a sharp front end effort taking home the featured event, a $24,000 Invitational Pace for fillies and mares, to notch her second consecutive victory at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, April 12.
Pete Wrenn left no room error as he sent the five-year-old mare to the front from post seven. The duo would have to work for their position as Trace Tetrick also sent Aqua Artist out of the gate alertly. Betterluvnexttime reached the front through a brisk opening panel in :26.3 and continued to call the shots down the backside.
The field of eight remained in single file as they reached the half in :55.4. Aqua Artist benefitted from a pocket trip while Queenies Alibi and Tyler Smith followed intently in third.
Shabalabadingdong was the first to commit as Lewayne Miller tipped her to the outside around the three-quarter clocking in 1:26. Aqua Artist also took aim at the leader as the field turned for home, but Betterluvnexttime found another gear.
With a final panel in :28, Betterluvnexttime coasted home a winner one length in front of Aqua Artist in 1:54. Queenies Alibi paced evenly to round out the trifecta. Betterluvnexttime didn’t disappoint as the heavy betting favourite and paid $3 for the win.
“She raced great again this week,” Wrenn noted. “We had to work a little to get out off the gate, but once I had her on the front, she relaxed and did everything I asked of her. She’s a great mare to drive and is very sharp right now. She makes my job look easy.”
Trained by Al Tomlinson, Betterluvnexttime notched her seventh win of the season in nine starts. The victory sent her career bankroll over the $219,000 mark for owner Daniel Mitchell of Novi, Michigan. Sired by American Ideal, Betterluvnexttime has banked nearly $70,000 this season.
(With files from Hoosier Park)