Ultimate Velocity wins Hoosier feature

The weekly $23,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational Friday night at Hoosier Park once again featured some outstanding horses. It was Ultimate Velocity, driven by Fab Five driver Jason “Bad Boy” Dillander that took everyone by surprise and found the will to win by two lengths at the finish.

 

Ultimate Velocity, the 2006 foal by Western Ideal out of local standout race mare Extreme Velocity, was able to catch up on some rest last week, which allowed her to perform at her peak and race past the field down the stretch. One of trainer Trent Stohler’s goals with this mare was to get her more relaxed. He seems to be on the right track.

 

“Trent (Stohler) is doing an amazing job with this mare,” said Dillander. “She used to be hot and now he definitely has her more relaxed. Going into the race I was worried about keeping her under control, but tonight, she did whatever I wanted her to do.” 

 

Ultimate Velocity grabbed the sixth spot right from the gate after starting from post position two. It was there that she stayed until the three-quarter-mile marker. She paced the final quarter mile in :26.4, an entire second faster than the next best horse. 

 

Co-owners Dave and Trent Stohler opted for a driver change this week in anticipation that Ultimate Velocity could return to the winner’s circle after a third-place finish in her last start. The decision paid off as the 4-year old mare claimed the top check of $11,500. 

 

When asked how the trip went, Dillander replied, “She (Ultimate Velocity) followed the rest of the field comfortably and saved everything she had for the last quarter. She has wicked speed.”

 

The battle for second came down to the wire and was barely won by Giveittoemstaight, driven by Mooney Svendsen. After capturing the lead just past the first quarter pole, Postmark and Dan Shetler held on for a third-place finish.

 

The final time of 1:52.3 for Ultimate Velocity is a new career best. She now has more than $86,000 in career earnings in two years. She did not race as a 2 year old for the Stohlers, who bred and raised the mare. Ultimate Velocity moves into next week with two wins in three starts for 2010. (Hoosier Park)