Sire Stakes at Hoosier

Search Engine remained unbeaten in three Indiana Sire Stakes legs and Rocket Fuel scored his first Sire Stakes victory in their respective $12,000 divisions of the third leg of the Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers at Hoosier Park Saturday.

Picking up regular driver Mark O’Mara, Search Engine utilized good cover through the first half, and then hit the accelerator down the lane to win by three and one-half lengths in 1:54.

“He was used early in his last couple of starts,” said O’Mara. “Dave (White) made some changes so he can race between horses. We were hoping to catch cover, and we got behind a strong horse.”

Getting away first, in the condensed field of seven horses, was Apache’s Gold and Mike Peterson from the middle of the pack. Gapping cover next was Fun Time and Don Irvine Jr., with Search Engine shuffled away fifth. Apache’s Gold and Peterson led the field to a :28.3 opening quarter mile.

The pair of Apache’s Gold and Peterson patrolled the field to half and three-quarter mile fractions of :57.4 and 1:27. Mayflowermoonshine and Joe Putnam led the outer flow down the backstretch, with Search Engine and O’Mara next in line on the outside. The trainer of Search Engine, Dave White, wanted his prized three year old to gain experience racing between horses.

“He’s still green, and each start is a learning experience,” added O’Mara. “He has a good kick when we’re able to save him. I couldn’t have mapped out a better trip. He’s grown into his frame, and we are doing all we can to get him ready for next month.”

O’Mara instructed Search Engine to stretch three wide in the final turn, and he did so gamely, turning in a :26.2 final quarter-mile. Finishing the mile in second was Fun Time and Irvine Jr., with Apache’s Gold and Peterson holding on to finish the mile in third.

Search Engine is a two-year old Indiana Sires Stakes champion, winning the $63,200 final at Indiana Downs Oct. 6 last year. In five starts this season, the son of Electric Yankee has three times visited the winner’s circle. Dave White trains and George McClarnon of Greenfield, Ind. owns.

Rocket Fuel finally showed he can race both ways, coming from behind to win his division. Driven by Jay Cross, they turned on the boosters in the stretch to get up for the victory in a time of 1:54.2. The second division of the Indiana Sires Stakes was a non-betting event.

“He (Rocket Fuel) wasn’t as sharp as he was last week in the non-winners race,” said Cross. “I don’t know if that had anything to do with the track condition, because of the way the first division went. He moved right to the front last week and raced handily for me.”

Rocket Fuel started his journey from post position four at the start. Cross made sure he got away in the pocket-seat in second behind early leader Full Of Cinnamon and driver Joe Putnam. Full Of Cinnamon was able to stay there three-parts of the way, setting fractions of :27.1, :57, and 1:26.1.

Coming from the inside, Rocket Fuel benefited from the patient trip, moving to the outside. He charged to the wire to get up and win by one-half length over Catmando and driver Joe Essig Jr. Eden Burst, with driver Don Irvine Jr., rallied back to finish third.

“The plan all along was to come from the back in the race,” said Cross. “If I could just get in behind Putnam’s horse (Full Of Cinnamon), it was going to be the perfect scenario. I think it is alright to say now that he (Rocket Fuel) can race both ways as in on the front and from off of the pace.”

Rocket Fuel is a successful five for seven with one third place finish in his first year of competition as a three year old. The son of Dontgetinmyway has earned more than $21,000 this season for owner Phil Harts of Amboy, Ind. Alvin Miller, also of Amboy, trains the Indiana-sired gelding.

“I don’t know what the connections have in store for him,” said Cross. “I don’t know if they will keep racing him every week. However, I know I will be more than happy to jump right back on him whenever he does race next.” (Hoosier Park)

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