Brandon's Secret inherits ISS victory

Brandon’s Secret may have raced second to ABC Mercedes in a $12,000 Indiana Sires Stakes contest for two-year-old trotters Wednesday, but the gelding made it to the winner’s circle as judges disqualified the winner. The victory was the first for the CJ’s Secret freshman, who was making his second career start. The winning time was 2:01.

Driven by Don Irvine Jr. for trainer Steve Gray, Brandon’s Secret finished three quarters of a length behind ABC Mercedes. The Joe Putnam-trained entry was placed second in the non-betting contest. Smokin Toast, a winner in the first round of sires stakes competition, finished third.

Brandon’s Secret made a break in his first start, spotting the field more than 22 lengths before rallying for a third-place finish, clocking a time of 2:05. Bred by Fred Quillin, the two year old is owned by Julie Gray and Phillip Hawk.

In another $12,000 non-betting contest Donegal Ago Go collected his fourth win in seven starts for trainer Roger Cullipher, trotting the mile in 2:02. The A Go Go Lauxmont gelding finished two and one-half lengths in front of Sweet Joe. Cathy’s Secret crossed the wire third.

Donegal Ago Go finished third in the first leg of ISS action for owner Robert Meek. The freshman, yet to finish off the board, was driven to victory by Cullipher.

Verlin Yoder’s Pretty New upset the field in a $15,000 Indiana Sires Stakes contest for sophomore filly trotters Wednesday, winning by a head over Spunky’s Dream in 1:57.3. Driven by Jay Cross, the filly scored her third seasonal victory in 13 starts. Osacanuc Bluegrass and Ricky Macomber Jr. were third while favorite Big Z Wisdom raced fourth.

Starting fourth in the bulky field of 11, Cross settled Pretty New in sixth early. The three year old was able to catch cover after a :57.2 opening half, and had assumed a narrow lead at the top of the stretch. At 39-1, Pretty New closed in :30.3 to hold off Spunky’s Dream, driven by Irvine. The Yoder-trained entry returned $80 with the victory.

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