Fresh Face Yankee did not miss a beat in her dominant return from a month-long absence as she went five-for-five this season with a victory in the $135,211 Indiana Sire Stakes (INSS) third leg for three-year-old trotting fillies at Hoosier Park on Tuesday, June 23.
Fresh Face Yankee was fourth to the quarter from post one for trainer-driver Jay Cross as the action unfolded in front of her. Dial Nine One One (John De Long) climbed out of post three and got to the rail in front of Fresh Face Yankee, then yielded to Bluebird Kazoom (Jordan Ross) at the first station before Help Cum Laude (Marcus Miller), on Bluebird Kazoom's back on the first turn, swept past that one down the backstretch.
Fresh Face Yankee made the final lead change as she brushed from fourth to the front at the half in :56.1 and raced unopposed to three-quarters in 1:25.4. She produced a :27.1 kicker down the lane that carried her 4-3/4 lengths clear to a 1:53 victory, with Bluebird Kazoom second. Expressive Gal (Kyle Wilfong) closed for show.
For her fifth win in a row and a new lifetime mark, Fresh Face Yankee boosted her lifetime earnings to $191,360. The daughter of Crescent Fashion-Swan Yankee, an Indiana Sired Fair Circuit champion last season, is two-for-two in the INSS as a three-year-old. She has won 14 of her 20 career starts for owner Timothy Smith. Her backers received $4 to win.
Live racing continues at Hoosier Park on Wednesday with a 14-race card featuring the $15,000 guaranteed Late Pick 4 and the $10,000 guaranteed Late Hoosier High 5. Those wagers are offered in partnership with the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program. First post is set for 5:30 pm.
(With files from Hoosier Park)