Biletnikoff scores in Indiana invitational

The unstoppable Speed N The Tunnel and driver Sam Widger prevailed again in the week’s top trot at Hoosier Park, besting a field of nine in the featured $25,000 Invitational Tuesday. Scoring her third win in five starts for 2009, the 6-year-old Armbro Tunnel mare earned the win by a neck in a time of 1:57.4.

Starting from post three, Speed N The Tunnel proved how versatile she can be, getting away in the center of the pack, allowing SF Aceinthehole and Peter Wrenn the opportunity to lead the way past the quarter in :28. Sunland Dakota and Brad Hanners were out and moving quickly, taking control through the middle portion of the race in fractions of :58 and 1:27.2.

Speed N The Tunnel began her forward move around the final turn and was first to attack on the outside when the homestretch arrived. She forged forward through the sloppy track surface, edging out Sunland Dakota for the win. Universal Star and Jason Dillander moved up for third.

Speed N The Tunnel now has in excess of $344,000 career earnings for owner-trainer Brett Wilfong and his father, Lynn. The one-eyed mare earned her 27^th trip to the winner’s circle.

The victory for Widger, who travels from the Chicago circuit to Hoosier Park on Tuesdays to compete, was one of three on the card. Widger also guided Versary N in the evening’s second race followed by World Harvest in the ninth.

In other action for the Tuesday evening program, Biletnikoff and driver Wrenn used a few inches to their advantage in the final strides of the $25,000 Invitational Pace. Wrenn kept the 5-year-old Keystone Raider gelding on top of his game nearly gate to wire, fending off the late charges of Benns Superman and Walter Haynes Jr. Benns Superman was closing in with every step in the stretch, and seemed to have the best of Biletnikoff, but the gelding would not allow defeat, winning by a head in a time of 1:53.3. Rocket Fuel and Dan Shetler maintained ground inside for third.

Biletnikoff is owned by Max Ernst of Orchard Lake, Mich. and trained by Paul Kennedy Jr. He increased his career earnings to more than $370,000 with his latest effort which brought him his fourth win in eight starts for 2009.

Wrenn continues to control the driver standings with 47 wins through the first 21 racing programs. Mark O’Mara and Ricky Macomber are battling for the second spot with 29 and 25 wins, respectively.

In the trainer standings, Don Eash has put some distance between himself and Mark Deaton. Eash, a three-time leading trainer at Hoosier Park, has sent 20 horses to the winner’s circle over Deaton’s barn, who has recorded 15 wins. (Hoosier Park)

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