Lucky Jet, guided by LeWayne Miller, pulled a stunning 27-1 upset to take home top honours in Friday’s featured event - the $22,000 Rosie Harness Memorial Pace - at Hoosier Park.
With a final time of 1:50.2, Lucky Jet took advantage of a pocket trip to score his fourth win of the season.
Leaving from post three, Lucky Jet left just enough to protect his position as Ricky Macomber, Jr. sent Sweet Talkin Satin away from the gate firing. Sweet Talkin Satin reached the front through the opening panel in :26.3 and remained uncontested down the backside, hitting the half in :55.2. Some Kinda Beach and Ed Hensley began the long, first-over journey as the field approached the final turn with the heavily favoured, Night Pro and Peter Wrenn in tow. Sweet Talkin Satin continued to call the shots around the third station in 1:23.2 and was able to fight off Some Kinda Beach turning for home. While the top pair battled it out on the front, Lucky Jet was looming large in the pocket.
Miller was able to find late racing room up the rail and Lucky Jet found another gear. Using a :26.3 final quarter, Lucky Jet exploded from the pocket to finish three lengths in front of Night Pro who closed hard for second. Sweet Talkin Satin held on gamely to round out the top three finishers. As the longest shot on the board at odds of 27-1, Lucky Jet returned $56.00 to his backers.
Trained by Tom Harmer, the son of Jeremes Jet-My Metallica has now won four of 23 outings in 2014 while earning $62,560. Lucky Jet pushed his career bankroll to $286,995 for owners Ciara Stable and Edward Kollross.
The race was held in honour of the late Rosie Harness, who tragically passed away on Friday, August 30. A long time member of the horse racing community, Rosie trained a stable of horses with her husband Carl “Olin” Harness that raced at Hoosier Park and throughout the state of Indiana. Friends and family members of Rosie gathered on the track after the race to remember their special friend.
Live racing resumes at Hoosier Park on Saturday, September 6 with a stakes-filled card as “Hoosier Champions Night” returns. The 14-race card will feature the fourth round of five $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes finals with a daily post time of 5:15 p.m.
(Hoosier Park)