On Tuesday, August 23 at Indiana Downs, Radar Contact made her 13th consecutive trip to the winner’s circle courtesy of a wire-to-wire journey.
Dan Shetler piloted the three-year-old pacing filly in the third leg of Indiana Sires Stakes, which they captured by a length in 1:56.2. Sent off as the heavy favourite, Radar Contact, a daughter of Dontgetinmyway, recorded her ninth seasonal victory.
Having started from Post 5 in the second of two $40,000 divisions, Shetler placed Radar Contact on the lead and clicked off the fractions in :28.2, :57.3, and 1:26.4. As the pair turned for home, the student of trainer Charles Stillings maintained a one-length lead and closed out the mile with a :29.3 final quarter to keep her streak intact. Hootanscoot and pilot Trace Tetrick, 48-1 on the tote board, sprinted home for second. They were followed by 21-1 Skyway Flight, driven by Ricky Macomber, Jr.
Out of the Electric Yankee mare Topville Cyberwave, Radar Contact was bred by Merle Yoder. The filly is owned by Stillings and Dean Ehrgott. The victory pushed Radar Contact’s seasonal earnings to $245,000. A winner in 14 of 21 career starts, the sophomore has earned $447,515 overall.
In the first $40,000 division, Dont Sugar Me and trainer Terry Cullipher used a :28.1 final quarter to edge the favoured Will Panout by a neck at the wire in 1:54.3. Second choice Rons Blue Angel hit the board in third, two and one-half lengths back in third. The victory was the second of the season for the Dontgetinmyway filly, bred by Terry Hall and owned by Gary Hayes.
Sam Widger had the hot hand Tuesday night at Indiana Downs. The veteran driver steered five winners on the 13-race card. Mystical Victress and driver Marcus Miller won the $22,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational Pace in a time of 1:52.2.
(Indiana Downs)