Morgan Shark wins 83rd Fox Stake

Morgan Shark and driver Travis Seekman battled first up around the final turn before dispatching leader Allthatgltrsisgold and fighting off a late challenge by stable mate Perrito Caliente to win the 83rd renewal of the Fox Stake for two-year-old pacing colts Saturday, August 22 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The Four Starzzz Shark gelding stopped the clock in a lifetime best 1:52.4, winning the $64,120 contest by a half length for James Jesk’s Sawgrass Farms. The Fox Stake was the highlight of the 10-race Grand Circuit card at the Indiana State Fair.

 

Lining up behind the gate fourth, Seekman guided Morgan Shark out fifth early as Perrito Caliente and Dave Palone took control from the rail with the other half of the Sawgrass Farms entry, trained by Joe Seekman. After a :27 opening panel, Allthatgltrsisgold and Dave Magee moved from fourth on the backstretch, taking Morgan Shark with them. The Cam’s Card Shark colt quickly brushed to the lead by the half (:56.4), leaving Seekman first up without cover.

 

“I was stuck first up around the last turn,” the young driver said. “But he’s a nice colt; he gives his all every time on the track. You’re never going to get a bad effort from him.”

 

Allthatgltrsisgold flashed past three quarters in 1:24 with Morgan Shark at his flank. The gelding took command in the lane before coming under attack from a surging Perrito Caliente. Although he began to tire late, Morgan Shark held on for his third victory in four career starts.

 

“About the last 100 feet he got a little weary on me,” Seekman said. “He just kept on fighting.”

 

It was the fourth Fox Stakes victory for trainer Joe Seekman. The veteran conditioner swept both divisions in 2005 with Joe To Go and Jandi Art before returning to claim a division in 2006 with Booze Cruzin. The winning time shaved one-fifth of a second off Morgan Shark’s previous mark.

 

Earlier in the program the father-son duo teamed for another win on the Grand Circuit program when Extended Forecast put a head in front of McMantle and trainer Jim Dailey late to win the $26,006 Hoosier Stake for two year old colt pacers. Travis Seekman steered the Three Olives gelding to his second win in four starts, pacing to a 1:54.1 clocking. Blueridgevalentino, driven by Tyler Buter, raced third.

 

Two Indiana-sired fillies put on impressive displays Saturday. Undefeated two-year-old pacer Bluebird Regal remained perfect with a 1:55.1 triumph in the $24,928 Hoosier Stake. Driven by trainer Dan Shetler, the Third Straight filly won by half a length for owners Paul Svehla and Phillip Svehla of Illinois. Shesa Bragn Dragon (Brandon Simpson) earned the place spot while Fakeutu Bluegrass and Peter Wrenn were third. The time lowered Bluebird Regal’s mark by four-fifths of a second.

 

Keep It A Secret filly Call Me Ching was equally impressive, winning the $23,278 Hoosier Stake for freshman trotters by two and one-quarter lengths in 2:01.2. She was driven by Shelter for trainer John Merkel. Call Me Ching is owned by Vaun Warner and Greg Culley. Kara’s Secret trotted second in the contest and Just A Valley Gal followed in third. The winning time established a new mark for the filly.

 

Call The Warden and Chip Noble wired the field in the $25,676 Hoosier Stake for freshman trotters, winning by a length and a quarter in 1:59.1. Trained by Jim Arledge Jr., the Jailhouse Jesse gelding earned his third career win in record time, lowering his best by more than a full second. Keystone Bernard finished second for Magee and Skyway Cruiser and trainer Doug Rideout were third.

 

Break The Bank K and Dave Palone stormed to a four-length score in the $50,226 Horseman Stake for freshman colt trotters. The Rich Gillock-trained Revenue S colt hit the wire in 1:56.3 to earn his fourth career tally. Classic Son (Marcus Miller) finished second in his debut while Cool Colby secured third.

 

Ultimate Velocity, daughter of Breeders Crown champion Extreme Velocity, won her debut with a 1:56.1 effort in the $31,340 division of The Horseman for sophomore filly pacers. The Western Ideal lass was driven to a two-length victory by trainer Trent Stohler. Real Artist colt Gordieisanartist captured the $33,100 division of The Horseman for sophomore colt pacers in 1:55.1. He was driven to victory by Duke Sugg.

 

Peter Wrenn and Southwind Wasabi collected a 1:56 victory in the $36,840 division of The Horseman for sophomore filly trotters. The Windsong’s Legacy filly, trained by Chuck Sylvester, picked up her second seasonal score while pushing her career earnings over the $200,000 mark. In the finale, Wrenn piloted his second winner as Magic Carpet Ride earned a 1:55.3 victory in the $39,206 division of The Horseman for sophomore colt trotters. The Angus Hall colt, trained by Dewayne Minor, lowered his lifetime best by just over two seconds with the win.