Indiana-sired freshman trotting fillies were the featured attraction Tuesday evening at Hoosier Park as the 14-race card was highlighted by the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final and $25,000 consolation for the two-year-old trotting fillies.
Miss Tootsie Hall and Trace Tetrick made a clean sweep of the second round of stakes action as they scored their second consecutive victory in the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes Final. After scoring handily in her elimination last week, Miss Tootsie Hall rallied gamely late in the lane to score in a lifetime best of 1:58.1.
The heavily-favoured Naughty III and Peter Wrenn, also winners in elimination action last week, dictated first half fractions of :28 and :58.1while the rest of the field remained in single file order. Unable to wait any longer, Tetrick made his move down the backside and began the long first-over bid approaching the third station in 1:28.4.
As the field turned for home, Naughty III appeared to be up to the task as she matched strides with Miss Tootsie Hall who quickly joined her on the outside. Tetrick asked his mount for more and she responded gamely to overcome the leader in the final strides of the mile.
With the victory, the daughter of Mr Cantab-Malibu Hall has now won three of five lifetime outings. Trained by Robert Taylor, Miss Tootsie Hall has earned $60,000 for her connections at Hoosierland Farm. The win by Miss Tootsie Hall also gave Tetrick, Hoosier Park’s leading driver, one of his four wins on the card.
In the $25,000 Indiana Sires Stakes consolation for two-year-old trotting fillies, Just Jess and Doug Rideout returned to their winning ways scoring in 1:59.4. Just Jess, who captured the first $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final for two-year-old trotting fillies earlier this month, rebounded to score her third win of the season after finishing third in her elimination.
Using her customary late charge, Just Jess was able to track down the pacesetter Lockwood Grace and Trace Tetrick late in the lane to win by three parts of a length. Trained by Doug Rideout, the daughter of Jailhouse Jesse-Glide Sally Glide scored her third career victory and equaled her lifetime best in the process.
Owned by Julie Rideout and Alan White, Just Jess has now bankrolled $54,900 for her connections.
Live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will continue on Wednesday, July 22 featuring the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes finals for the three-year-old filly trotters and two-year-old colt trotters.
(Hoosier Park)