Bridge To Jesses turned in another dominating performance to find the winner’s circle once again at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes Final for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Wednesday, September 2.
Extending his win streak to seven with the victory, Bridge To Jesses and driver Ed Hensley reached the wire three lengths in front of their competitors with a final time of 1:56.3.
Leaving from the trailing post position 10, Bridge To Jesses was unhurried from the gate and settled along the rail in third. Victors Hall and Ricky Macomber Jr. showed early speed off the gate and dictated first half fractions of :27.4 and :57.4. Fly Jesse Fly and Rick Plano benefitted from a pocket trip while Bridge To Jesses would begin his long first-over quest for the front approaching the final turn.
Victors Hall continued to call the shots around the three-quarter mark in 1:29 while Bridge To Jesses slowly begin to close in on the leader. As the field straightened away for home, Hensley asked his mount for more and Bridge To Jesses found another gear. Bridge To Jesses was able to wear down a tiring Victors Hall late in the lane while Late Bid Tom and Jason Dillander rallied gamely in the homestretch to round out the trifecta.
As the heavy betting favourite, Bridge To Jesses returned $4.20 at the betting window.
“He’s a pleasure to drive,” Hensley noted in the winner’s circle. “He’s got great manners. He can be a little rambunctious behind the gate sometimes, but all in all, he’s a perfect colt to drive. I think he’s better racing off a helmet, but he overcame the trip tonight and raced great again.”
Bridge To Jesses re-established the track record for two-year-old trotting geldings with a 1:56 effort in his last $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes outing and has only tasted defeat once in eight lifetime starts. The son of Jailhouse Jesse-Bridge To Nowhere has now bankrolled $158,000 for trainer Roger Welch and co-owners William C. De Long, William P. De Long and Ray De Long.
Live racing will continue at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday, September 3 at the regularly schedule post time of 5:15 p.m. Thursday’s 14-race card will be highlighted by the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stake final and $25,000 Indiana Sires Stakes consolation for the two-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
(With files from Hoosier Park)