Hoosier Park opens meet

Calyvona Bluegrass fought off extreme cold weather in the stretch drive to take the 2007 season opener on Friday at Hoosier Park. Piloted to victory by driver Ricky Macomber Jr., the 3-year-old won her sophomore debut in 1:59.4, scoring by 6 1/2 lengths.

Calyvona Bluegrass returned $7.20, $3.40, and $3.80 for the victory. The daughter of Pilgrims Punch now has more than $13,900 in career earnings for owner Dr. Luel Overstreet of Henderson, Ky. John Merkel trains the Indiana-sired sophomore.

“This filly is actually named after Arnold Schwarzenegger’s pronunciation of California,” said Merkel. “We hope that she will be a stakes filly for our stable this year.”

Merkel has overseen the Bluegrass Stable for 20 years. The native of Evansville currently has 30 horses in training based at the farm in Henderson, Ky.

Calyvona Bluegrass waited patiently after pulling out to the second spot from the fourth post position. Trailing behind early leader Way Perfected and driver Don Eash, Calyvona Bluegrass followed through quarters of :27.4, :59.2, and 1:31.2.

“We had an advantage of being on the inside of the favorite,” said Macomber. “We set up a perfect two hole trip. I thought she would be tighter than some of the other horses in the race.”

No one took a shot at the leaders down the backside. Macomber finally tipped Calyvona Bluegrass to the outside after the third quarter to fire her way to the front. Without ever looking back, the brown filly pulled away down the stretch for a commanding three length advantage.

“She (Calyvona Bluegrass) went right on her way after I tipped her out for the lead,” said Macomber. “We headed towards the wind down the backstretch. I didn’t think anyone wanted the lead. She (Calyvona Bluegrass) is really lazy. You have to keep after her to get her attention. I thought we had enough left in the stretch to win.” (Hoosier Park press release)

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