Forever Showin Off and driver-trainer Charlie Conrad seized an opportunity in late stretch to score the 20-1 upset in the featured $24,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational Pace at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday
.
Neither the jump in class nor sloppy track seemed to hinder the eight-year-old daughter of Allamerican Ingot as she posted her second win of the season. Starting from post four in the eight horse line-up, Forever Showin Off made her way to the rail at the start, landing in the fourth spot behind early race leader and heavy betting favourite Go On BB, who reached the first quarter-mile marker in a brisk :26.2.
Driver Ricky Macomber Jr. and Go On BB were quickly contested as Tyler Smith had Aqua Artist out and firing down the backside. Aqua Artist controlled the tempo as they reached the half in :57.1.
Forever Showin Off and Conrad sat mid-pack for much of the mile and their odds of joining the outer flow were dwindling with every step. As the field brushed by the three-quarter mark in 1:25.4, Conrad opted for a ground-saving trip as he sent the eight-year-old mare up the rail to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.2 over Aqua Artist, who was a hard fought second. Fox Valley Absolut and Sam Widger also closed quickly from mid-pack to finish third.
With 26 career wins, Forever Showin Off has now earned over $240,000 for her connections of Roselea Conrad and Fred Schroeder, who also bred the mare. Forever Showin Off paid $23.00 to win. The tri-fecta, including Forever Showin Off, Aqua Artist and Fox Valley Absolut, paid $612.
(Hoosier Park)