High Speed Life runs winning streak to eight

High Speed Life continued her dominance in Indiana Sires Stakes action Tuesday, September 1 in the fourth and final $30,000 preliminary leg for sophomore filly pacers. Driven by Ricky Macomber, the Lease On Life three year old scored a 1:54.4 victory at Indiana Downs, finishing two lengths in front of Ag-N-Au Bluegrass and Peter Wrenn. Sweetsgetintheway and Dan Shetler closed late for third.

 

Starting from post eight in the 11-horse field, Macomber and High Speed Life got away from the gate sixth as Western Kit grabbed the lead from the inside post. After a :28.3 opening panel the favorite was out and moving, catching cover courtesy of Ag-N-Au Bluegrass while JNB N Me brushed to the lead from third and clicked off fractions of :58 and 1:27. Racing out of the turn, High Speed Life kicked into gear and propelled home in :27 for her ninth win in 11 starts in 2009.

 

Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Frank Baldachino and JJK Stables LLC, High Speed Life raised her career earnings to $186,118 with the victory. The second foal from Mark Johnathan mare Nano, the Ron Burke-trained sophomore has won eight straight starts and will enter the $150,000 final, scheduled for September 12, as the favorite.

 

Indiana Downs also offered late closing series action Tuesday, with three finals contested on the program. Joinusforsomefun and Sam Widger crushed the field in the $18,800 Letterman Pacing Series final for fillies and mares. The Cape Crusader three year old wired the field and romped by fifteen and three-quarter lengths in a time of 1:51.3. Joinusforsomefun is trained by Brett Wilfong, who bred and owns the filly in partnership with Lynn Wilfong.

 

Trotslikethewind and Macomber took control nearing the half and held off a furious charge by He’s Lucky (Widger) to win the $21,600 Mellencamp Trotting Series final by a neck. The four-year-old Pegasus Spur mare, sent off as the favorite, stopped the clock in 1:56.4. Trotslikethewind is trained by Ron Burke for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, JJK Stables LLC and Lawrence Karr.

 

Howyadoinpal and Andy Shetler lit up the tote board with an upset victory in the $23,400 Jim Ewart Pacing Series final Tuesday night. Sent off at 40-1, the duo scored a 1:52.4 victory, finishing a length ahead of second choice Richie The Clown and Widger. The Bill Webb trainee returned $82.60. Bred and owned by Geraldine Weis, the Keystone Raider colt established a new mark with the victory. It was the fourth seasonal win for the sophomore pacer.