Robin I Scoot wins season's debut

It was an evening of returning Indiana champions on the track as Robin I Scoot coasted home to victory in the co-featured $23,000 Invitational Pace Saturday, April 10 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Robin I Scoot, 2008 Indiana Horse of the Year, is back better than ever, winning his first race of 2010.

Starting from post eight in the 10-horse lineup, driver Trace Tetrick hustled Robin I Scoot out of the gate quickly in search of the top spot. Royalton Star and Andy Shetler beat them to the punch and had the top spot under his command through the quarter mile marker in :26.4. However, Tetrick was not content to sit and wait. He moved Robin I Scoot to the outside and made a bold rush to the lead, securing the top spot by the halfway marker in :55.4.

Robin I Scoot continued to show strong speed through the turn, placing more than three lengths between himself and the remainder of the field when he passed the three-quarter mile marker in a time of 1:23.1. He continued to keep his stride lively in the lane.

“After he (Robin I Scoot) got on top, I chased him through the turn,” said Tetrick. “I was hoping to slingshot off the last turn and get a jump on the field. He opened up like the Red Sea tonight.”

Robin I Scoot fended off the late attackers with success, posting the mile in a time of 1:51.1. Royalton Star was one length back in second. Rocket Fuel and Dan Shetler Jr. moved up for third.

“Last week, he got parked, so I thought he’d be good tonight,” said trainer Dan Perdue. “He’s older now and he’s really filled out this year. I had to let his hopples out two inches, but other than that, we haven’t made any changes at all.”

Robin I Scoot is owned by Shady Lane Meadows of Grabill, Ind. The five-year-old son of I Scoot Hanover now has 27 wins in 72 starts for Perdue, who has conditioned the gelding through his entire career at the Darke County Fairgrounds in Greenville, Ohio. Robin I Scoot posted his best career time of 1:49.3 at Hoosier Park last season and is now over the $500,000 mark for career earnings.

“After the American National last November, we turned him out for some rest,” said Perdue. “We brought him back in the last of December and he’s been in training ever since.” (Hoosier Park)