Widger gets a Hoosier hat trick

Joinusforsomefun kicked off a driving triple for Sam Widger in the $25,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational Pace Friday, June 4 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. The four-year-old Illinois bred mare swooped from last to first, winning by two lengths in a time of 1:53.2, a new seasonal best.

Starting from post six in the eight mare lineup, Joinusforsomefun obeyed Widger and went directly to the back of the pack. As expected, there was a lot of action up front early as Giveittoemstaight and Mooney Svendsen posted the first quarter in :26.2 followed by Go On BB and Ricky Macomber, who moved to the front before the halfway point. Go On BB had control of the pace, recording middle fractions of :55.2 and 1:24.1.

In the stretch, the front horses began to tire and the back of the pack fanned out across the track to take advantage of their weary legs. Go On BB, Indiana’s newest millionaire, was tiring but she was not giving up. She held her ground to the tote board before being overtaken by Tomorrowpan and Jason Dillander. Widger was the widest with Joinusforsomefun, having the quickest stride at the end for the win, her third of the year in eight starts. Tomorrowpan finished second followed by Northern Lei Ann, who was a neck back in third for Hoosier Park’s leading driver Peter Wrenn.

Bred, raised, and owned by Lynn and Brett Wilfong, Joinusforsomefun recorded her 15th career win in 25 career starts. The Cape Crusader mare pushed her career earnings to more than $125,000 with the effort.  Brett also trains Joinusforsomefun.

“I have to give the credit to Brett this week,” said Widger. “He has been doing all the work behind the scenes. He’s been keeping her (Joinusforsomefun) happy and fresh this whole time, and she just did everything right tonight.”

The win was the first in a row of three for Widger for the night. He also connected with High Flying Sweety in the ninth race followed by Townline Kenya in the 10th race mini series.

A native of Ohio, Widger has earned a spot among the track’s top five reinsmen for 2010. Through the first 52 nights of racing, Widger has earned 42 wins. He has been a leading driver on the Chicago circuit for the past 15 years and has accumulated more than 3,700 career wins. His best year to date was recorded in 2008 when he pulled in 461 wins and maintained a driving average of just under .300.

Although Widger continues to drive in Chicago on dark days from Hoosier Park, Indiana has been his main focus the past two years during the summer months. He continues to be ranked third in the standings at Balmoral Park for 2010 and seventh at Maywood Park with limited days of racing since Hoosier Park opened in late March.

Widger polished off the 2009 season with 332 wins to rank 37th among all drivers in North America. With 121 wins for 2010, he is once again among the top 50 drivers in North America.(Hoosier Park)

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