A muddy track and rainy conditions did not dim the light on Royalton Star and driver Andy Shetler during the $25,000 Invitational Pace Tuesday, April 14
. The five-year-old son of Threefold pressed through the mud to win in a time of 1:52.1, a new lifetime mark.
Starting from Post 2 in the eight-horse lineup, Royalton Star got a seat right behind early leader Robin I Scoot and Bill Dailey through fractions of :26.3 and :56.1. Just past the three-quarter mile marker, Royalton Star eased to the outside and moved into another gear, taking over the top spot and glided home with a final panel of :26.3 for the win, his seventh of the season. Rocket Fuel and Dan Shetler used the center of the track to pull in second while newcomer Idle Hour and Brad Hanners rounded out the trifecta.
Owned and trained by Max Shaw of Lyons, Ohio, Royalton Star now has more than $100,000 in career earnings. He has three wins in four outings at Hoosier Park in 2009.
In other Tuesday evening action, Sweetsgetintheway and leading driver Peter Wrenn scored title in the $17,000 Miss Windfall final. The heavily favoured duo used a backstretch move to secure the front spot, and no other filly could ever get close. Wrenn guided the sophomore daughter of Dontgetinmyway under the wire in a time of 1:56.4 by nearly three lengths. Grand Sonrae and Jay Cross finished second over Doc Lock and Bill Dailey for third.
Sweetsgetintheway remains undefeated in 2009 with three wins. She more than doubled her career earnings with the effort for Dr. Jeff and Dr. Maria King’s Victory Hill Farm of LaGrange, Indiana. Sweetsgetintheway is trained by Bobby Brower and earned a new lifetime mark along with her Miss Windfall title.
The $23,000 Invitational Trot brought an old favourite back to the winner’s circle. ABC Mercedes, 2008 Indiana Trotter of the Year, endured the heat from several contenders in the stretch to earn his first win of the year in only his second outing. The four-year-old son of ABC Garland moved to the lead down the backstretch and fended off the field, posting the time in 1:57.1.
Owned by Larry Miller of Springport, Indiana, ABC Mercedes was driven to victory by Mark O’Mara for trainer Joe Putnam. The win was his 18th career trip to the winner’s circle in 22 career outings. He now possesses nearly $300,000 in career earnings.
(Hoosier Park)