Royalton Star shines brightly at Hoosier

Royalton Star and driver Andy Shetler showed true guts and determination in the featured $24,000 Invitational Pace Tues., March 31 at Hoosier Park. The duo overcame several obstacles to score the victory in a time of 1:53.4, just one tick of a second off their personal best turned in the week before.

Starting from post three in the eight-horse lineup, Royalton Star was moving up in class to face the toughest pacers on the grounds over a sloppy track surface. The five-year-old Ohio-bred son of Threefold used a different form of attack this week, opting for a spot in the center of the pack as Vapor In The Wind and Ricky Macomber Jr. found the top spot before the first turn. Just past the quarter-mile marker in a time of :28.1, Elliott Deaton was out and moving with Roxies Big Guy, taking control before the halfway point in a time of :57.0.

Roxies Big Guy was immediately challenged by Jay Cross and Rocket Fuel, the third leader of the race heading into the final turn. Shetler had Royalton Star right at Jay Cross’s back and had to endure the second half of the mile from the outside.

Passing the three-quarter mile marker in a time of 1:24.0, Rocket Fuel was not going to give in without a fight. Neither was Royalton Star. Both horses matched each other stride for stride through the stretch drive, with Royalton Star getting the final edge at the wire by one length. Roxies Big Guy held gamely for third.

“I thought this horse (Royalton Star) would be good on a big track,” said Shetler. “He has come some pretty big last halves up at Northfield. He’s perfect to drive and you can drive him any way you want. He loves cover, and he also loves to come from behind. I didn’t want to leave with him last week, but had no choice. He raced really well tonight.”

Royalton Star was a surprise to most bettors, returning $19.00, $10.40, and $4.40 across the board. He now has six wins in nine starts for 2009 for breeder, owner, and trainer Max Shaw of Lyons, Ohio.

“He (Royalton Star) has always been on a smaller track until last week,” said Shaw. “I figured he would do better on a bigger track because he’s a pretty big horse. He’s always been gutsy. So far, I’m real happy with him.”

Shaw bought and raced Royalton Star’s mother, Cinder Sandy, who earned $65,000 during her career. The Look Sharp mare is a half-sister to Cinder Lane Sam, the tough Ohio-sired Nobleland Sam gelding that garnered more than $600,000 during his career.

“This is the most money he (Royalton Star) has ever won in one race, and the biggest race he’s been in other than the Ohio Sires Stakes final as a three-year-old,” said Shaw. “He was fifth in the final and came back a day and a half later to win at the Wauseon Fair (Fulton County Fair) in 1:54.2. That is our home fair and we always try to support the racing program there.”

Royalton Star now has 23 career wins in 55 career starts. He has boosted his career earnings to more than $88,000.

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