Red S made it two in a row winning the featured $24,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, June 8.
Red S topped the Open ranks for the second straight week with a 1:52 career-best triumph. As part of two horse Ron Burke-trained entry, Red S and Ed Hensley were able to overcome post eight and find a spot along the rail in fifth while stablemate Go On BB and Ricky Macomber Jr. were one behind in sixth. Dont Sugar Me was the early pacesetter as she led the field of eight to the first marker in :26.3.
Hensley gave Red S the green light down the backside and she was able to take command just before the half. Red S reached the second marker in :55.4 before taking a big third quarter breather in 1:24.4. Hoponit and Don Eash were the first to challenge advancing on the outside from fifth with Carmen O in tow second over.
Red S was still more than a length clear as she rounded the last turn and sprinted home with a :27.1 closing panel to score by two lengths. Forever Showin Off rallied late in the lane to get up for the second place finish with Dont Sugar Me holding on for third. The heavy betting favourite, Ultimate Velocity, sat off the pace for much of the race and was unable to improve her position down the lane. Red S paid $6.80 to win.
“This mare can take a pretty good hold so I wanted to get her covered up around the first turn,” noted Hensley. “She’s sharp right now, and she felt good the whole way. We were able to get a breather around the last turn and she did the rest when we turned for home. She raced really tough again tonight."
Sired by Four Starzzz Shark, Red S is owned by Hickory Hollow Stables of Spencerville, Indiana. The six-year-old mare pushed her lifetime earnings over $160,000 with the lion’s share of the purse. The victory was the 13th in 98 outings.
Ed Hensley scored four wins on the 13-race program and also captured the late double with Dragonmyheartaroun in the last race for trainer Robert Reeser.
(With files from Hoosier Park)