Blue Punch, My Man Moe take Landess splits

The duo of Shawn Christner and Blue Punch were able to ease into victory during the second leg of the Jerry Landess Series at Hoosier Park Wednesday. The win was the second in a row in the series, which heads to the $16,000 final Wednesday, April 23.

Racing out of the gate Real Tricky, controlled by Ricky Macomber Jr., was able to take the early lead with Skyway Commander, driven by Jay Cross, and Blue Punch right behind. Nearing the quarter mile marker with a time of :27.3, these four were still contending for the lead.

After the quarter, Blue Punch made his move on the outside to take the lead, with Real Tricky and Skyway Commander rounding out the top three. Approaching the three quarters with a time of 1:26.2, these three were still competing against one another for the top spot.

In the stretch, Blue Punch was still the leader with This Guy Can Fly, managed by Don Eash, making a move on the outside. With This Guy Can Fly gaining on Blue Punch, Blue Punch was able to pick up speed and win easily by five lengths, with a time of 1:55.3. This Guy Can Fly and Real Tricky were able to finish second and third, respectively.

With the win, Blue Punch, owned by Rex Jackson, and Ron Pearson, of Muncie, Ind. and trained by Pearson, is now two for two in 2008. The 3-year-old son of Pilgrim Punch has passed $9,000 in total earnings in his lifetime.

My Man Moe, with driver Rick Farrington, excelled down the stretch to win his division of the second leg of the Jerry Landess Series. After winning the first leg of the series last week, the 3-year-old gelding proved that he truly is the one to beat by crossing the finish in 1:57.3.

Love The Band and Eash came out easily for an early lead. The rest of the field followed in a straight formation as they reached the quarter-mile marker in a time of :29.3. My Man Mo took the lead, but was challenged quickly by Johnny’s Treasure, controlled by Joe Essig Jr., who attacked from third.

My Man Moe let him pass and held tight until the stretch when he kicked back into gear and surged across the finish. Don’t Skip Charlie and Jason Dillander finished close behind in second. Love The Band followed for third.

“It was proper training,” said Farrington. “I’m driving for a good trainer.”

The victory with My Man Moe marked the first win for new trainer Melissa Goodman. Goodman had double the pleasure in the win because she is also the owner, along with her mother, Jackie Beeman, both of Alexandria, Ind. (Hoosier Park) 

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