O'Mara takes Indy title

Indiana Downs closed out its 2006 harness meeting Saturday, Nov. 4 with a 12-race afternoon card. Mark O’Mara was named the Shelbyville oval’s leading driver after guiding 116 winners during the 81-day meet. Jeff Brewer earned the training title on the strength of five wins over the final two programs.

O’Mara scored two wins Saturday afternoon to put the finishing touches on his first driving title at Indiana Downs. The veteran trainer and catch driver guided Godiva Hall to a 1:58.1 score in the day’s third race and then returned to the winner’s circle with Doni’s Bunny in the meet’s final contest. O’Mara finished the meet with purse earnings in excess of $700,000.

Pat Berry was the runner up in the driver standings with 102 victories. He bagged five races on closing day and piloted the Brewer-trained Secret Star to a 1:57.2 triumph in the $20,000 Green Mile Invitational trot. The contest, slated for the turf, was moved to the dirt.

Brewer’s victory in the feature helped complete a successful bid for leading trainer honors. The conditioner sent out four winners Friday evening, Nov. 3 to draw even with Sara Haynes atop the standings. Saturday’s victory increased his tally to 39 wins on the season; one more than Haynes.

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