Hoosier Park’s track surface continues to sizzle as track records continue to fall this season. The 14-race card on Saturday, August 10 was highlighted by two track record performances in the second round of the $30,000 Indiana Gold Sire Stakes action.
For the third time in one week, the track record was lowered over Hoosier Park’s seven-eighths mile oval, marking the 11th track record that has been re-established this season.
Night Pro became Indiana’s newest sub-1:50 pacer and Hoosier Park’s newest track record holder after he powered home a winner in 1:49 in the second round of the $30,000 Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts and gelding. With Pete Wrenn at the lines, Night Pro used a perfect pocket trip to establish a new lifetime-best mark and lower the track record by a full second. The previous track record for three-year-old pacing colts was 1:50, a mark set by Custard The Dragon and driver Montrell Teague in the Hoosier Cup on June 25, 2011.
Using a :26.2 final quarter, Night Pro was able to wear down the tiring leader, Sweet Talkin Satin, late in the stretch to finish a nose in front. Right Touch and Ray Paver also staged a big rally late in the lane, but only managed to finish second while Sweet Talkin Satin and Trace Tetrick held on for third. As the heavy betting favourite, Night Pro returned $3.60 at the window.
Scoring his 11th win of the season, the sophomore colt was also victorious in the $200,000 Indiana Sire Stakes championship at Hoosier Park on Saturday, July 20. Unraced at two, Night Pro is trained and owned by Dale Decker of Temperance, Michigan. A $14,000 yearling purchase, the son of Pro Bono Best is the first foal from world champion Midnight Jewel. Night Pro has now won 11 of 14 lifetime starts while amassing over $180,000.
Lady Blitz followed suit in her division of the $30,000 Indiana Gold Sire stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies when she stormed home a winner in 1:54.2. With Verlin Yoder at the lines, Lady Blitz used a sharp, front-running score to establish a new lifetime-best mark and notch her sixth win of the season. Using a :28.3 final panel, Lady Blitz was able to hold off a late surge from the pocket-sitting Playful Innocence to win by four lengths. Playful Innocence and Dan Shetler finished second while Express Justice rallied gamely to round out the trifecta.
The previous track record of 1:55.2 was established by Playful Innocence and Dan Shetler just one month ago in the first round of the Indiana Gold Sire Stakes action for three-year-old trotting fillies.
Trained, owned and driven by Verlin Yoder, Lady Blitz has now won six of 10lifetime starts while bankrolling over $150,000. Sired by Keystone Blitz, the sophomore filly has won seven of 22 lifetime outings.
(Hoosier Park)