Sires stakes action at Indy Downs

Indiana Downs played host to four Indiana Sires Stakes contests Wednesday, August 15. With the cancellation of racing one week earlier, and the inability to reschedule the third round of ISS competition for freshman trotters, purses for each division jumped from the normal $12,000 to $24,000.

Two contests were held for colt and gelding trotters; one off the card and one on the card. ABC Mercedes scored a 1:59.1 victory in the non-betting contest for trainer and driver Joe Putnam. Owned by Larry Miller, the ABC Garland gelding won a second round ISS contest, but was placed second after a pylon violation in the stretch.

“He was trapped in the two hole and skimming the pylons coming up the lane and we just got inside a pylon,” Putnam explained of the last start. “We were trying to teach the colt something and there were just tight quarters in the lane.”

Wednesday ABC Mercedes had all the room he needed in the lane. After starting from post three, Putnam moved the gelding out second behind Seven Bends and Joe Essig Jr. Once the leader passed the quarter Putnam soon tipped and made a bid for the lead. The duo took control for good after the half before crossing the wire 10 and one-half lengths in front. Seven Bends finished second and Definitely Notable was third.

“He’s been a natural from day one,” Putnam added. “We know he’s got ability.”

In the second split Smokin Toast and trainer Rick Reisert collected their fifth win in nine starts with a 1:59.1 performance. The second choice finished nearly three lengths in front of Brandon’s Secret and Don Irvine Jr. Genesis Victory raced third.

Owned by Richard and Mary Link, Smokin Toast nearly doubled his earnings with the victory. The Butler Hall colt knocked more than two seconds off his previous best.

The filly divisions saw two first-time winners as Irvine guided Lakeview Star and Cabernet Kisses to victory in the first and third races on the card. In the opening $24,000 contest Lakeview Star prevailed by four lengths in a time of 2:00.4. The Lester Raber trained and owned F R’s Lavec freshman broke her maiden in her seventh career start. Deputy Julianna and Mike Hollenback were second and Belle Peppa rounded out the trifecta. Mya Tri, undefeated in five starts, was scratched sick.

In the second split Irvine piloted 23-1 Cabernet Kisses to a one-length triumph. The Harrys Star Ranger filly stopped the clock in 2:01.1 for trainer Dan Perdue. Miracle Sprout and Verlin Yoder were second and Shezalilyorphan, the longest shot on the board, finished third. Owned by Michael Bardo, Cabernet Kisses finished seventh in the first round of ISS competition, her only other start this season.

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