Northern Lei Ann and Hoosier Park’s leading driver Peter Wrenn picked up another win against the track’s top distaffers in Friday’s $23,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational
. The six-year-old daughter of Lease On Life stopped the clock in 1:53.2.
Starting from the outside post position in the nine-horse lineup, Northern Lei Ann watched as High Speed Life and Ricky Macomber, Jr. rallied out for the lead and dropped in mid-pack before the quarter mile marker in a time of :27.2. However, Wrenn wasn’t going to sit long without making a move and had Northern Lei Ann out and rolling to the top, securing the top spot by the halfway point in :56.1. From that point on, Northern Lei Ann kept control of the pace and tried to keep High Speed Life at her back to the top of the stretch.
In the stretch, Macomber tipped High Speed Life out and began to challenge. As they inched up on Northern Lei Ann, it looked as if they would get by the leaders. However, Northern Lei Ann would not allow High Speed Life to get past her. High Speed Life made one last surge at the finish line to close in but missed the win by a nose. Camphor Hanover and Jason Dillander finished third.
Owned by Northern Lane Farm of Grabill, Ind., Northern Lei Ann now has three wins in seven starts for 2010. The six-year-old mare competed in the top female ranks at The Meadows earlier in the season for trainer Ron Otto, who continues to lead the way in the trainer standings for 2010. Northern Lei Ann now has more than $184,000 in career earnings and 13 career wins.
(Hoosier Park)