HoP hosts 18 qualifiers

Although opening night is still two weeks away, Hoosier Park’s paddock was bustling Saturday morning, March 24. The Anderson oval offered the first qualifying races of the season, attracting 140 horses over 18 races. Heavy rains over the last several days resulted in judges giving a two-second allowance, and 117 horses successfully qualified.

The first four races of the morning saw 28 trotters attempt to qualify. A total of 20 trotters made the cut, set at 2:07, with the fastest of the four contests going to Eash Racing Stable’s B L Starchip. Ervin Nisely piloted the five year old Private Messenger mare to a 1:59.3 score. Sophomore trotting filly Miss Color Chip finished second in 2:00.2. Indiana Sires Stakes champion Atlantis Secret won his qualifier for trainer Doug Rideout with a 2:02.4 effort while Kozmo Dfc and Ricky Macomber Jr. won their qualifying race in 2:03.

“Ricky said he was much better than all of last year,” said John Merkel, who trains the sophomore Dakota Spur gelding. “We’ve got high hopes for him.”

In 14 qualifiers for the pacers 97 entrants completed the mile under the 2:04 barrier. The fastest mile was registered by eight year old Barb’s Bullet and trainer Ross Leonard. The duo finished a quarter-length in front of Rebelman and trainer Steve Brannan. Foxy Maneuver was fourth in the race and Kentucky Brew safely qualified in seventh.

Ndana Favorite and Trace Tetrick logged the second fastest mile in the pacing events, winning their contest in 1:57.3. Tetrick piloted the five year old Cambest horse for trainer David Beanblossom. Indiana Sires Stakes champion Search Engine finished half a length back in his qualifier. The Electric Yankee sophomore was driven by trainer Dave White, completing the circuit in 1:58.2.

“I wanted to leave out a little bit and sit in a hole,” explained White. “I just wanted to teach him something. He did all he needed to do today.”

Hoosier Park will kick off its 14th season of harness racing Friday, April 6, offering 61 programs.

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