Sunny Ben Joe continues winning ways at Indiana Downs

Sunny Ben Joe turned out to be the only favorite to escape with a victory Wednesday, September 24 in Indiana Sires Stakes competition at Indiana Downs. The Super Ben Joe gelding, driven by Mark O’Mara scored a three and one-quarter length victory in a $15,000 contest for freshman colt trotters, stopping the clock in 2:00. JL Track A Tack claimed the second division with a 2:01.1 effort while Lunar Toon won the trotting filly event in 2:00.1.

Sunny Ben Joe fired out for the lead from post six in the night’s first race, taking command before taking a seat behind Sheridan’s Glory racing to the half. The Alvin Miller-trained two year old patiently sat in the pocket until the final turn. O’Mara retook the lead moving into the stretch and the gelding kicked home in :29.1 to add another impressive victory to his resume. Justlikegarland and Walter Haynes Jr. closed in the stretch for second while Sheridan’s Glory faded to third. Sunny Ben Joe is owned by Lee Brook Farms of New Jersey.

In the second $15,000 division, JL Track A Tack and trainer Charlie Conrad received every call, wiring the field and winning by a length and a half over ABC Gum and Jay Cross. CW Ted Lunar and Neil Coleman were third. The Prince Pine colt, owned by Don Conrad and David Brunck, was sent off as the third-choice.

Lunar Toon and trainer Doug Rideout laid claim to the $15,000 ISS division for freshman filly trotters with a come-from-behind victory. The SOS Lunar Eclipse filly raced near the back of the field early before sprinting home in :29, the fastest final panel of the group, to win by a length and a half. The freshman is owned by Carol White and Julie Rideout. Forenoon Jubilee, 43-1 on the board, finished second and Livnluvn Bluegrass, half of the favored entry, was third. Second choice Mayfair Segredo broke stride behind the gate and finished last.

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