Getting his first taste of Indiana Sires Stakes competition, Next Flight In equalled the Indiana Downs track record for two-year-old pacing colts Wednesday, August 3, winning his $40,000 division with a 1:52.1 performance. He was one of four Panspacificflight freshmen to win opening round ISS legs
, with a total of seven splits carded.
Entering the event a perfect four-for-four this season, the Erv Miller-trained two-year-old was tabbed the heavy favourite. Starting from Post 5, Peter Wrenn eased away from the gate sixth with the Panspacificflight-Society Brat colt, sitting sixth through a :27.2 first panel before catching cover behind Jammin Joshua and Sam Widger racing to a :57.2 opening half. Jammin Joshua would make it to the top, but was soon shuffled by the Next Flight In. The colt reached three-quarters in 1:25.1 and carried a one-length lead into the stretch, which he preserved with a :27 last quarter. Mykindachip and Dan Shetler raced third.
Owned by Mystical Marker Farms, Mary Jane Anderson and Jack and Peggy Hood, Next Flight In has earned $53,000 in short order. The colt was a $36,000 yearling purchase. The winning time equalled the mark set by Suprizemeagain in September 2008.
Be Pacific, another son of Panspacificflight, won the first $40,000 division on the program for Sam Widger in a time of 1:54. Starting from Post 2, the duo used a pocket trip behind Brown Titan and Wrenn to their advantage, leaving the rail racing to three quarters and drawing away with a :27.2 final panel to win by nearly three lengths at the wire. Artistic Flight finished third.
The victory was the first in three starts for Be Pacific. The gelding was bred and is owned by Philip Ireland. Brian Georges trains Be Pacific.
Fridaynightflight, sent off as a heavy favourite, romped by four and one-half lengths in his $40,000 division, stopping the timer in 1:55.4. The Panspacificflight-Ramblin Rosie gelding took control for Wrenn racing to the half and opened up by five at the top of the stretch to earn his first career win. Copper Art and Bluebird Muffler rounded out the trifecta.
Bred by Nina Paddock, Fridaynightflight is owned by trainer Roger Welch, William De Long and William Patrick De Long. The gelding, purchased last fall for $47,000, is the first foal from the Grinfromeartoear mare.
Fritz Bow finished up a big night for Indiana’s 2010 Pacing Stallion of the Year with a 1:54.2 victory. Owned and trained by Leroy Slabaugh, the Panspacificflight-Ronnae Bow gelding is now two-for-two to start his career.
Starting from the rail for driver Mike Peterson, the favourite assumed the lead after a :29 first quarter and never relinquished control, coming home in :26.2 to win by a length and a quarter. Fritz Bow was followed by QB Killa and Babes I Scoot.
I Scoot Hanover offspring picked up two $40,000 divisions Wednesday as Eagle A Scootin (1:56.2) and Looking For Jack (1:55.4) each captured their first career victories. Dontgetinmyway colt A Sweet Ride also broke his maiden with a 1:56.4 effort.
(Indiana Downs)