Three divisions of the Tubby Trimble Series, a late closing event open to Indiana sired three-year-olds and up that are non-winners of $30,000 life, were contested on Thursday evening at Hoosier Park
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Artychoke, trained by Art Gregory, Jr., was the first divisional winner and he wound up being one of driver Sam Widger’s four winners on the card. The gelding reached the wire in 1:55.4 with a closing panel in :28.4. He was sent out aggressively from post four but sat parked through opening splits of :29.1 and 57.1. Artychoke cleared to the front just after the half mile marker as Widger controlled the tempo through a three-quarter clocking in 1:27. Artychoke was able to hold off a late rally from both Skyway Poncho and Wilburs Z Tam. Artychoke has now won three of five starts on the season and he has bankrolled over $18,000 on the year for his owner, Dennis Brightwell.
Royal Todd made his sophomore debut a winning one as he took the second the division in a lifetime best effort of 1:55.1. Sam Widger found the famed circle once again with the son of Royal Art as he mapped out a perfect ground-saving trip en route to the one-length score. Royal Todd is trained by Rod Lorenzo who also co-owns the gelding with Dobbins Standardbred Inc. Gs O Pete followed Royal Todd to finish second, with S D Flightplan holding on for the third-place finish.
Moveoutofmyway was able to take advantage of a miscue by the heavy betting favourite, Our Lucky Chip, to take the third split in a time of 1:54.4. Ricky Macomber sent the gelding to the front from post five through a first quarter in :27.3. Our Lucky Chip, who was undefeated thus far in 2012, made a break down the backside to leave the race wide open. Macomber yielded the lead to Flightreactor who led the field of nine through a 1:27.2 three-quarter time. Macomber tipped Moveoutofmyway out from behind the leader to march home a winner with a :27.1 final panel. Flightreactor held on for a second place finish as Our Lucky Chip staged a big rally from the back of the field to finish third. Trained by Ron Burke, Moveoutofmyway posted his second win in three starts in 2012.
The Tubby Trimble series continues with another $12,500 preliminary leg next Thursday followed by the $20,000 final on Thursday, May 3.
(Hoosier Park)