Quartet of ISS finals

The first round of Indiana Sires Stakes finals for two year old pacers and trotters were contested Aug. 18 at Indiana Downs. The fast Shelbyville oval produced record times and exciting action as part of the Grand Circuit card. Two freshmen kept their undefeated streak intact with key victories.

In the first final, a $52,900 contest for colt and gelding trotters, JSC Merit Raise remained perfect, collecting his fifth win with a 1:58 clocking. Trained by Paul Huffman and driven by Mark O’Mara, the Chivas Merit gelding knocked more than two seconds of his lifetime best in the victory. Pagent Star and John Campbell were second while Atlantis Secret and trainer Doug Rideout were third. Kozmo DFC, who challenged the leader in the stretch before making a break, was fourth for driver Dan Shetler.

“The track was just a little quicker tonight,” O’Mara commented. “The first quarter (:28.2) looked quick on the timer, but he did it very easy. I had quieted him down so much he kind of got a little lazy.”

The victory completed a first series sweep for the trotter, owned by Jeff and Sharon Bislich. JSC Merit Raise now possesses earnings of just over $42,000.

Charges owned by trainer Verlin Yoder dominated the $53,500 final for freshman filly trotters; Ideal Queen and Shetler won the race in 2:00.1 while Pretty New and Jay Cross finished third. CC Snickers was second for driver Rick Farrington.

Ideal Queen and Shelter made the most of their second tier position, leaving the gate fourth before moving up as the field raced to the three-quarter mile marker. In the stretch the New And Notable filly stormed home to her first win of the season.

“It was only the second time that I’ve driven her,” Shelter explained. “She appears to be getting better as the season progresses.”

Summer In Fiji flexed her muscles in the $69,100 Indiana Sires Stakes final for filly pacers Friday evening, bringing the field to the half in :56.3 before stopping the clock in 1:53.4. Patrick Berry placed the Whitefish Falls filly on the front early to notch her fifth win in as many starts. Martha’s Revenge and trainer Jim Dailey were second and Mans Diamond finished third.

“We keep thinking the bottom will fall out,” said Mickey Burke Jr., who oversees the Indiana string for his father. “She just keeps proving us wrong. We’re absolutely thrilled.”

Owned by Frank Baldachino, Summer In Fiji lowered her lifetime best by more than two seconds in the triumph. She now shows earnings exceeding $50,000.

In the $73,000 ISS final for colt and gelding pacers Mayflowermoonshine and Full Of Cinnamon teamed to sweep the top two positions for trainer Dan Bowermaster. Mike Peterson piloted the winner to a 1:53.2 score while Joe Putnam and Full Of Cinnamon finished second. Gott-N-Milk and Josh Sutton were third.

“They were able to get covered up early. Each got a soft opening quarter,” Bowermaster said of his charges, which he co-owns with Thomas Cole. “You could race in 20 more finals with an entry and not end up 1-2. It’s like a dream come true.”

Mayflowermoonshine knocked more than three seconds off his mark while collecting his second win of the season. The Pilgrims Punch gelding has missed the board only once in five starts.

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