Livnluvn Bluegrass, J RS Star claim victory in ISS action

Freshman filly trotters were the featured act Thursday, July 24 at Indiana Downs as the track played host to two Indiana Sires Stakes contests. Dan Shetler, catch driving for trainers John Merkel and Verlin Yoder, guided Livnluvn Bluegrass and J RS Star to victory in the $15,000 events.

In the first $15,000 division Shetler and Livnluvn Bluegrass took control coming out of the final turn and trotted home in :29.4 to win by two and one-half lengths. The Keep It A Secret two year old crossed the wire in 2:01.1. Victoria Marker (Harrys Star Ranger) raced second while Sis Boom Syrah (Keep It A Secret) was third.

Owned by Dr. Luel Overstreet and trained by Merkel, Livnluvn Bluegrass is a sibling to two previously successful Indiana-bred trotters. Secret Express raked in $163,710 during his career, which included an Indiana Sires Stakes finals victory, while mare A Joyful Secret earned nearly $133,000.

In the second split, favorite J RS Star drew away in the stretch to win by two and one-quarter lengths in 2:01.3. Ann Shez Rich (Prague) grabbed the runner-up spot and Callisto Bluegrass (Elliotts Express) rounded out the trifecta. The New And Notable filly is trained by Yoder, who also campaigned sibling Miss Color Chip. Now four, Miss Color Chip was purchased by Frank Baldachino and David Scharf in 2007 and currently possesses earnings of $177,403.

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