ISS action at Hoosier Park

Wannahuckaloogi was victorious in the first leg of the Indiana Sires Stakes Friday, April 20. Driven to the winner’s circle by trainer-driver Mark O’Mara, the three-year-old filly closed in the lane to score the win in a time of 1:55.3. The mile tied her lifetime best.

“I thought she (Wannahuckaloogi) raced great tonight,” said O’Mara. “She did not give up once. She just dug right in there to get the win. I hoped to get an easy trip. She had enough to get there, though.”

From the inside post position one, Wannahuckaloogi strolled out to the fourth spot past the clubhouse for the first time. It was not until the far turn that she struck, going two-wide at the top of the stretch. The third-quarter came and went in 1:27.1.

Wannahuckaloogi controlled the pace coming for home. However, she had to find another gear as Martha’s Revenge and driver Bill Dailey came flying towards the wire.

O’Mara knew that his filly was not going to let up. Wannahuckaloogi battled for the wire to win by a neck. Martha’s Revenge had to settle for second. Electric Alibi and driver Trace Tetrick rounded out the top three.

Wannahuckaloogi returned $8.80, $4.60, and $3.20 for the victory. The start was her second of the season. She was an impressive five for 10 last year in her freshman campaign. The daughter of Dream Work has bankrolled over $31,400. Joanne Nestved of Fern Park, Fla. owns the brown filly.

Bluebird Dream and driver Trace Tetrick soared to victory in the second division of ISS action at Hoosier Park Friday evening. The victory was the first stakes win for Bluebird Dream, who now has two wins in a row for Tetrick.

Starting from post two, Tetrick was in no hurry to get into the action with Bluebird Dream. He sat patiently in mid-pack as Ms-Ayse Bluegrass and Walter Haynes Jr. led the way through fractions of :28.0, :57.3, and 1:27.0.

In the stretch, Bluebird Dream came to life and flew past horses, scoring the victory in a time of 1:55.4 by one-half length over Rocknrol Bluegrass and Ricky Macomber Jr. Life Uptown closed well for Don Eash to finish third.

"We got really lucky tonight," said Tetrick. "Closing is her strongest point I think. She is a nice and honest filly. Things just worked out right for us. I was kind of surprised that a hole opened up for us in the stretch. She drifted out well heading for home. I think she was well prepped for tonight.”

Bluebird Dream earned a new lifetime mark with the effort for owners James Sims and Frank Marcello. Sims also trains the three-year-old daughter of Dream Work. (Hoosier Park press release)

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