Track records fall on Grand Circuit day at Indianapolis

American Firedog and Mike Oosting proved to be much the best Saturday at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, winning the $63,343 Fox Stake for freshman colt pacers in a stakes record 1:51.2. The feature capped a record day of Grand Circuit action as two more track marks would fall.

It was a banner day for trainer Perry Smith. The Crete, Ill.-based owner and conditioner sent out his first Fox Stakes winner and swept the top two spots as At Max Speed finished 4 1/4 lengths back in second. A $2,000 purchase as a yearling, American Firedog clipped the previous stakes record, set by Dodger Boy in 1997, by one-fifth of a second.

“I thought it would take 52 and a piece to win it, I didn’t think we’d go that fast,” said Smith. “I called Mike and told him he’s got the rail and can go pretty good. He flew in this morning to drive.”

Oosting got away fifth in the field of nine with the Allamerican Native gelding through a :54.2 opening half. First at the top of the stretch, American Firedog kicked home in :28.1 to win his second in four starts. The victory proved easy in comparison to the winner’s circle presentation. The freshman proved rambunctious, with officials opting not to put on the winner’s blanket.

“I knew that was going to be trouble,” Smith added. “He’s a funny horse to drive and he has some bad habits.”

The Indiana State Fair oval was lightning fast Saturday afternoon, as was evidenced by the first race on the card. Freshman filly pacer Limestone Cowgirl established a new track record in the $13,543 first division of the Hoosier Stake, winning in 1:53.1. Trainer Dan Shetler was in the bike for the victory.

“I thought she’d do quite well, but I wasn’t expecting that kind of mile,” noted Shetler, who conditions the Western Hanover lass for the Bowl Stables.

Second early in the mile, Shetler moved to the lead before the half and cruised home by 4 1/4 lengths. Attitude Hanover and Mike LaChance raced second and Tell Me A Tale, driven by Mark O’Mara was third. Now a three-time winner in five starts, Limestone Cowgirl nearly doubled her bankroll in the victory. Her time eclipsed the stakes record mark of 1:54, set by Pan Hanover in 2002.

In the second Hoosier Stake split, which carried a purse of $13,343, Two Steppin’ Sally earned her first win in four starts with a 1:55.2 triumph. Trainer Charlie Norris sat behind the Western Hanover filly. Truly Dreamy finished nearly 2 lengths back in second while Real Shark raced third.

One Tough Girl and Trace Tetrick set a new standard for freshman filly trotters with a 1:56.4 triumph in the $13,883 first division of the Hoosier Stake. The Muscles Yankee filly, making her first start, romped by 6 1/2 lengths. Sirenuse and LaChance were second and Greathearted was third for Brooke Nickells.

“I was just a passenger leaving,” commented Tetrick. “She felt strong on the backstretch. When I asked her she took right off.”

The time was a stakes record effort for One Tough Girl, a full second better than the previous mark, set by Electric Muscles in 2002.

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