Betterluvnexttime made her Hoosier Park debut a winning one as she captured the featured $24,000 Fillies & Mares Invitational Pace on Friday, April 5 with driver Pete Wrenn at the lines.
Leaving from post seven, Wrenn sent Betterluvnexttime to the front, but Trace Tetrick and Aqua Artist had the same idea. Aqua Artist made the front and remained uncontested through first half fractions of :26.1 and :54.2. Sectionline Yankee and Andy Shetler benefitted from a pocket trip as Betterluvnexttime followed intently in third. Queenies Alibi and Tyler Smith were along the rail in fourth in a badly gapped field.
After the half, the field began to tighten as Queenies Alibi was out and firing first over with Wrenn and Betterluvnexttime in tow. As the battle began to unfold around the three-quarter mark in 1:23.4, Betterluvnexttime saved her best for last as she began to sprint away from the field. With a final quarter clocking in :28.1, the five-year-old mare cruised to a three length victory in 1:52.2. Winning It and Ed Hensley came from off the pace and rallied late in the lane to get up for the second place finish. Queenies Alibi rounded out the trifecta.
Betterluvnexttime paid $2.90 for the win as the bettor’s choice.
“This mare raced really great tonight,” Wrenn noted. “With the eight spot in this group of mares I knew we had to be close to the front. I was able to leave a little bit and not use her too hard. Around the last turn she felt great and once I was able to get out I knew she was going to be good. She cleared all the other mares pretty easily and raced all the way to wire."
Trained by Al Tomlinson, Betterluvnexttime notched her sixth win of the season in eight starts. The victory sent her career bankroll over the $200,000 mark for owner Daniel Mitchell of Nova, Michigan. Sired by American Ideal, Betterluvnexttime has banked over $50,000 this season.
(Hoosier Park)