Western Kit, High Speed Life win in ISS action

Indiana Downs played host to the third round of Indiana Sires Stakes for sophomore filly pacers Tuesday, August 25. Two $25,000 divisions were carded, with second-choice Western Kit claiming the first split on the strength of a 1:53 performance. Favored High Speed Life wired the field in the second split, stopping the clock in 1:53.4.

Starting from post seven, driver and co-owner Trent Stohler floated Western Kit out near mid-pack when the gate folded, racing sixth as JNB N Me and Peter Wrenn cut the mile for trainer Dan Perdue. JNB N Me, third-choice in the betting, reached the quarter in :27.1 before clicking off a :56.2 half and 1:24.2 three quarters.

 

Stohler moved the Joe Putnam-trained Western Hero filly first up racing to the half and advanced to fourth racing out of the final turn. In the stretch, Western Kit kicked home with a :28 last quarter to win by a length and a half. JNB N Me garnered the runner-up spot while favorite Sapphire Martini raced third for Trace Tetrick. The victory was the fourth of the season for Western Kit, and established a new mark for the sophomore. She is owned by Stohler, Putnam and Bill Reepmeyer, and now possesses earnings of $53,625.

 

In the second $25,000 division heavily-favored High Speed Life and Ricky Macomber led every call en route to a three-quarter-length victory. The Lease On Life three-year-old set fractions of :28, :57.1, and 1:26.1 before crossing the wire first for her 10th career victory in 19 starts. Ag-N-Au Bluegrass (Wrenn) was a close second and Sweetsgetintheway and Dan Shetler were third.

 

Trained by Ronnie Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Frank Baldachino and JJK Stables LLC, High Speed Life increased her career bankroll to $171,118. Out of Mark Johnathan mare Nano, the filly was bred by Larry Smith and Richard Nash.