High Speed Life romps in Indiana Sires Stakes

High Speed Life was sent off as the 1-9 favorite in the first of two $25,000 Indiana Sires Stakes divisions Tuesday at Indiana Downs, and the sophomore pacing filly delivered. Guided by Ricky Macomber, the Lease On Life sophomore dominated her foes, winning by 10 and one-quarter lengths in a time of 1:53.2. Western Kit captured the second split with a 1:54.3 effort.

 

Starting from the rail, Macomber and High Speed Life settled in fourth along the rail as Queenies Alibi and Don Eash fired from seventh for the lead. Sitting through a :27.1 opening panel, Macomber pulled his filly on the backside, advancing first-up to second at the half (:56.2). Once on the point, the Ron Burke-trained pacer put in a :29.1 third quarter before opening up in the stretch and dashing home in :27.4. Misty Dreamer and Trace Tetrick finished a distant second followed by Sabriana Lane. No show wagering was offered.

 

The victory was the sixth consecutive for High Speed Life and the seventh seasonal win for the three year old. Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Frank Baldachino and JJK Stables LLC, the filly has earned $140,250 this season.

 

While the favorite won easily in the first division, upset-minded Western Kit claimed her third seasonal win in record time, finishing two and one-half lengths in front of favored Ag-N-Au Bluegrass. The Western Hero filly, driven by co-owner Trent Stohler, was fourth choice at 11-1. JNB N Me raced third.

 

When the gate folded, JNB N Me and Brad Hanners moved to the lead and cut the mile with fractions of :27.4, :57.1 and 1:26.2 as Western Kit followed Watts Of Money third along the rail. In the stretch, the Joe Putnam-trained sophomore dispatched the leader and sped to the wire with a :27.3 final quarter.

 

Owned by Stohler, Putnam and Bill Reepmeyer, Western Kit lowered her lifetime mark with the victory. She paid $23.00 in the victory. Unraced at two, the filly has earned $41,125 in 10 starts this year.

 

Larry Miller’s ABC Mercedes collected his third straight win Tuesday evening in the $22,000 Invitational trot, stopping the clock for Mark O’Mara in 1:54.4. The four-year-old ABC Garland gelding claimed victory by two lengths over Cellebrity Force and Gerald Kazmaier. Blowlowsanta trotted third.

 

The victory was the sixth of the season for ABC Mercedes, coming in his 12th start. The gelding has won 23 of 32 career starts, earning $361,120. He is trained by Joe Putnam.