Wild Wanda and Ricky Macomber, Jr. found the winner’s circle for the second consecutive week in Friday’s $21,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational Pace at Hoosier Park.
Racing from off the pace this week, the five-year-old mare used the long Hoosier Park stretch to her advantage to stop the timer in 1:50.3 and established a new lifetime best in the process for the second consecutive week.
Wild Wanda was unhurried from the gate and settled along the rail in fourth while American Girl and Trace Tetrick came away firing. American Girl reached the front at the first quarter in a snappy :25.3 while White Metro and Jason Dillander left just enough to grab a pocket seat.
American Girl dictated middle fractions of :54.1 and 1:23 while the rest of the field remained in single file order approaching the final turn. American Girl looked strong on the front turning for home but would have her work cut out for her as the rest of the field closed in. White Metro was the first to take aim at the pace setter but was unable to make up on any ground on the leader.
Macomber, Jr. tipped Wild Wanda to the outside and just when it looked like she was running out of racetrack, she found another gear. American Girl dug in gamely on the inside but it was Wild Wanda who found the wire first by a neck. White Metro maintained her position to round out the trifecta. As the heavy betting favourite, Wild Wanda returned $3.60 for the win.
Trained by Jamie Macomber, Wild Wanda notched her third win from 13 seasonal outings and 17th lifetime victory. Owned by L. Rheinheimer, D. & J. Rheinheimer, and M. Rheinheimer, the daughter of Palone Ranger-Viking South Coast has earned $204,375 lifetime.
Live racing returns to Hoosier Park on Saturday, May 14 with a 13-race card. 2015 Breeders Crown Champion Freaky Feet Pete will look to score his third consecutive win this season in the $21,000 Invitational Pace, the eighth race on the card. Live racing at Hoosier Park will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule and be conducted through November 12.
(Hoosier Park)