Sir Churchill wins at Hoosier

The 17th  season of Standardbred racing got underway Thursday, March 25 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino over a sloppy track surface with a newcomer to Indiana taking the first race of the night. Sir Churchhill, driven by Dan Shetler, won the season opener in a time of 2:01.2 to break his maiden in his first start for 2010.

Starting from the second tier post 10, Shetler got away in mid-pack with Sir Churchhill but was soon out and pursuing the top spot before the halfway marker in a time of 1:00.3. The lead was all his after that point, maintaining control of the race to the finish line by two and three-quarter lengths over Carol Jean and Jon Anderson. Kindakinky and Andy Shetler rounded out the top three.

“The pace was starting to slow after the quarter, so I got him (Sir Churchhill) out and went to the lead,” said Shetler. “I felt this horse had a good chance to be in the top three and wanted to give him a shot. It was no surprise he opened up on them late in the race.”

Shetler gained confidence in Sir Churchhill after qualifying him at Hoosier Park. Shetler was eager to accept the driving duties in pari-mutuel action from owner-trainer Robert Neiheiser Sr. of Crosby, Tx.

“I qualified him last week and didn’t know what to expect,” said Shetler. “He hadn’t shown a flat mile ever. I don’t know what his problem has been. He’s a five-year-old now. Maybe all of his career is in front of him.”

Neiheiser is stabled at Hoosier Park for the first time this season. He shipped up to Indiana from his farm in Texas, where he has been prepping his two Indiana-sired horses for the 2010 racing season. Neiheiser has been in the racing industry for several decades, racing at numerous tracks in Illinois and Kentucky.

Shetler added another win to his credentials in the very next race, guiding Go Lakers to victory for Ryan Bellamy. The three-year-old Electric Yankee colt was able to charge hard around the final turn and head to the wire first in a time of 1:59.2. Go Lakers finished one length ahead of Firstclassallthway and Peter Wrenn for second in the $5,000 Indiana-sired Mini Series. Dontgetmybottabing and Walter Haynes Jr. finished third.

Top driving honors for the season opener went to defending driving champ Peter Wrenn, who was back in the winner’s circle three times during the night. Wrenn connected for his first win in the fourth race with Sucrose Hanover. Grabbing the top spot early, the three-year-old son of The Panderosa led the entire way for the win in a time of 1:57.1, a new lifetime mark. Trained by Jim Arledge Jr., Sucrose Hanover was making only his third start of the year. Wrenn completed his trio of wins with Boo’s Boy in the seventh race and Deftones in the last race. (Hoosier)