Freddyscooter became an elite member of the under 1:50 club at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino Saturday, June 27
. The four-year-old Indiana sired gelding stopped the timer in 1:49.4 to become only one of seven horses in the 16-year history of the track to dip below the time barrier.
Starting from Post 7 in the seven-horse lineup, Freddyscooter and driver Brad Hanners went immediately to the back of the pack as swift fractions of :26.1 and :53.4 were set by Go On BB and later Benns Superman. By the time the field had moved into the turn, Freddyscooter was on the outside and advancing slowly, only seeking good positioning for the stretch drive home.
After the field passed the three-quarter mile marker in a time of 1:22, Freddyscooter showed what he’s best known for as he kicked into high gear and paced home briskly to earn the win in 1:49.4, two and three-quarter lengths ahead of Rocket Fuel and Dan Shetler. Robin I Scoot, with Sam Widger driving, rounded out the top three to make a perfect Indiana-sired trifecta.
“This horse [Freddyscooter] has really been good his last two starts,” said Hanners. “[Steve] Brannan is a heck of a trainer. I love racing for guys like Steve. He makes my job really easy. Halfway down the stretch today, I knew I had a good chance to win because “Freddy” has a big closing kick.”
Bred and trained by Steve Brannan, Freddyscooter became the newest horse at Hoosier Park to surpass the $200,000 career earnings mark. The I Scoot Hanover gelding is co-owned by Brannan and Frederick Shiery of Camden, Michigan and is now on a three-race win streak.
“He’s [Freddyscooter] has always been good going down the stretch,” said Brannan. “I told Brad today to go to the back. I didn’t care where he finished today because we are looking at the big race [Indiana Sires Stakes Final] in two weeks. You never have to tell Brad any instructions. He does a great job.”
Brannan is experiencing another standout performer from his brood mare, Precious Sarah. Brannan and his wife, Nancy, also conditioned Rebelman to numerous victories over the past five years in the state of Indiana. Freddyscooter is a half-brother to Rebelman, who is currently training and will be ready to race within the next month.
Freddyscooter is headed to the Indiana Sires Stakes final for older pacing horses, which will be part of the Million Dollar Indiana Championships set for Saturday, July 11. The race will be one of six Indiana Sires Stakes finals on the card in which purses will reach $1 million. The program will be the final day of harness racing for 2009, and will be followed by an outdoor concert by The Beach Boys, beginning at 8 p.m. in The Yard.
(Hoosier Park)