Limited Edition and Sam Widger pulled a stunning 11-1 upset in the featured event of the evening, the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings Saturday evening at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.
Stopping the teletimer in 1:52.2., Limited Edition found late racing room to score his maiden-breaking victory while giving driver Sam Widger one of his four wins on the program.
Leaving from post four, Widger sent Limited Edition away from the gate firing and he grabbed the early lead through an opening panel in a snappy :26.3. On The Virg and Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., the heavy post time favourite, grabbed a pocket seat while Meadowbrook Tiger and Ross Leonard were next in line, third. On The Virg made his move to the lead down the backside and took command just past the half in :56. As the field reached the third station in 1:24.3, On The Virg continued to call the shots but Meadowbrook Tiger was applying pressure first-over with Rock N Tony and Ricky Macomber Jr. in tow.
On The Virg was able to hold off Meadowbrook Tiger but his biggest threat was patiently waiting to strike from the pocket. Widger moved Limited Edition to the passing lane and he exploded past the leaders with a :27.2 final quarter to get the win by two lengths. Rock N Tony rallied for second while On The Virg held on for third place honours. Limited Edition returned $25.60 to his backers at the betting windows.
“He’s always been a nice colt,” Widger noted after the victory. “We’ve just had some tough racing luck here and there. Tonight, the trip worked out perfect for us and he (Limited Edition) raced awesome.”
Trained and owned by Perry Smith, the son of Rockin Image-Modern Way notched his first victory from seven seasonal outings. Establishing a new lifetime mark with the win, Limited Edition has now amassed $56,550 lifetime.
The victory was also one of four wins for driver Sam Widger on the evening’s 13-race card. Widger pulled a 7-1 upset with Double A Cash Hall for trainer Scott Galloway in the $21,000 Invitational Trot earlier on the card. Widger’s other two victories came in the 5th and 6th race behind The Right Move for trainer Tim Wilson, Jr. and JS Maple for trainer Jack Meyers, respectively.
Live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will continue on Tuesday, September 13 with a 14-race card highlighted by the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final for two-year-old trotting fillies. With a daily post time of 5:45 p.m., live racing will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule and be conducted through November 12.
(Hoosier Park)