High Speed Life, Western Kit win at Indiana Downs

Sophomore pacing fillies took center stage Tuesday evening at Indiana Downs as the first preliminary leg of Indiana Sires Stakes was contested. Two $25,000 divisions were carded, with High Speed Life and Western Kit scoring victories.

 

In the first division, favorite High Speed Life and driver Ricky Macomber overcame an outside post in the field of eight to clock a 1:55.2 victory for the Burke Stable. The Lease On Life three year old took control before the half and finished one and one-quarter lengths in front of second-choice Ag-N-Au Bluegrass. Ms Rush, driven by Hugh Beatty, rounded out the trifecta.

 

The victory was the fifth in seven seasonal starts for High Speed Life, who won the $150,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final at Hoosier Park July 11. Owned by the Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Frank Baldachino and JJK Stables LLC, the filly has banked $123,250 in 2009.

 

Western Kit, 7-1 on the board, nosed out second-choice Sabriana Lane at the wire to win the $25,000 second division in 1:55.1. Favorite JNB N Me was third for Brad Hanners. Driven by Trent Stohler, the Western Hero filly set a lifetime mark with the victory.

 

Runner-up for trainer Joe Putnam in the $30,000 Indiana Sires Stakes consolation at Hoosier Park, Western Kit started from the rail and raced fifth early. The sophomore would catch cover from a first-up Sabriana Lane and advanced to second at the top of the stretch. Western Kit paced home in :29 to earn her second win of the season. Stohler, Putnam and Bill Reepmeyer own the filly.