Ontario-sired Pertty Music and Ed Hensley found the winner’s circle for the second consecutive time after turning in a sharp effort to capture the featured event, a $21,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational, at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, April 3.
Using her customary late charging tactics, the five-year-old mare used the long Hoosier Park stretch to her advantage and bested her rivals with a final time of 1:55.2 over a track rated "good."
Leaving from the outside post seven, Pertty Music was uninvolved in the early stages of the race while the rest of the field battled for position. Wings and Tim Curtain were the first to get a call through the opening panel in a brisk :26.3, but Sam Widger had the heavy betting favourite, American Girl, out and firing down the backside.
American Girl was able to slow the tempo and reached the front at the half-mile mark in :57. Igottafeelinfran was given the green light from driver Jack Dailey and reached the leader’s wheel approaching the three-quarter clocking in 1:27. American Girl was able to put away a menacing Igottafeelinfran, but would have her work cut out for her as Pertty Music was just beginning her rally.
Just as American Girl began to tire on the front, Pertty Music found another gear and exploded past her rivals halfway down the stretch. American Girl was able to hold on gamely for second-place honours while Miss Millie and Peter Wrenn rallied for third. As the public’s second choice, Pertty Music returned $7.40 to her backers at the windows.
The five-year-old daughter of Jeremes Jet-My Metallica notched her fifth win from just nine seasonal outings. With the victory, Pertty Music pushed her seasonal earnings to $46,235.
Live harness racing will return to Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday, April 4 with a 14-race card that is set to begin at 5:15 p.m. This Saturday night at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will feature drink specials, giveaways and live music at the conclusion of the live racing card.
(Hoosier Park)