Sha Daisy stars at Hoosier

Sha Daisy Sunset, with Don Irvine Jr. at the controls, upset the field on Friday in the featured $22,000 Invitational Pace at Hoosier Park. The pair benefited from weak early fractions and good field position throughout the one-mile trip. The 6-year-old mare excelled late, closing in :26.2, and beat the second-place finishers, Look to Book and driver Josh Sutton, by a neck in 1:55.1.

“The good horses were on the outside,” said Irvine. “I looked for them early. I got the three hole, and with the slow fractions I thought I might get the lead early.”

Mayflower’s Song and Don Eash were first out, with Look to Book following closely behind. Sha Daisy Sunset found good position in third as the field rounded the opening turn. Mayflower’s Song reached the quarter pole in :27.1.

The field continued behind Mayflower’s Song until the top of the stretch. Joining the leaders were Look to Book and Sha Daisy Sunset, who were both within striking distance. Sha Daisy Sunset and Irvine were part of a cast of horses coming on strongly deep in the stretch. Of the 10 horses in the field, eight registered final-quarter times of less than :27, making it an exciting finish. Sha Daisy Sunset was the strongest, however, earning her third victory of the season.

“She’s a nice little mare,” Irvine added. “She has a nice burst of speed. She came home in :27 last week and probably came home in :26.2 or :26.3 this week.”

Sha Daisy Sunset returned $23.80, $8.60, and $7.60. The 6-year-old daughter of Indian Sunset earned her 29th career victory, and her most impressive thus far in 2007. Daniel Taneyhill of Swartz Creek, Mich. owns and trains. Finishing in third place were Jetstream Cute Cam and driver Joe Essig Jr., who closed the final quarter mile in :26. (Hoosier Park)

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