Search Engine captures muddy Invitational at Hoosier Park

Search Engine, one of Indiana’s top three-year-olds of 2007, was back in familiar territory Saturday, April 12 as he earned his first win of the season in the $23,000 Invitational Pace. The four-year-old son of Electric Yankee held off a late resurgence from Green River Gorge and Rick Schaut to claim the victory.

Driven by Mark O’Mara, Search Engine powered from the gate with his sights set on the lead, making that marker his own in :27.2. Heading toward the half in :56.3, Green River Gorge was out and rolling and went right on by to lead the field through the final turn.

In the stretch, Green River Gorge drifted out to the center of the track, giving Search Engine the room he needed to pursue the victory. However, in the final strides, Green River Gorge came back on Search Engine, but had to settle for second in the 1:53.3 mile over a muddy track. Up Front Peyton and Ricky Macomber Jr. were rolling hard on the extreme outside to finish third.

Search Engine is owned by George McClarnon of Greenfield, Ind. A retired veterinarian, McClarnon calls on the services of trainer Dave White to condition his homebred standout. After winning nine of 13 starts in 2007, Search Engine now has one win in two outings for 2008 and career earnings in excess of $195,000. (Hoosier Park)

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