For the second time in one week, the track record was lowered over Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, as the evening’s 12-race card on Saturday, September 16 was highlighted by a track-record performance from Skyway Torpedo in the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes Two-Year-Old Colt Trot final.
The previous track record of 1:55.4 was established by Airman Batten and LeWayne Miller in 2014. Skyway Torpedo, winning in 1:55, marked the sixth track record that has been this season and also a lifetime best for Skyway Torpedo.
Peter Wrenn sent Skyway Torpedo to the front, with River Otter also leaving alertly, but opting for a pocket trip. Skyway Torpedo reached the front just past the first quarter in :27.4 and dictated with fractions of :57 and 1:26.
As the field turned for home, River Otter tipped from the pocket, but chased as Skyway Torpedo trotted strongly to the wire, finishing two lengths in front of River Otter. Jesmach Oasis and Ricky Macomber Jr. rallied late to round out the trifecta. As the 4-5 betting favourite, Skyway Torpedo returned $3.60 to win.
“He’s basically been push button from day one,” trainer Alvin Miller said. “He’s a very well mannered colt and takes good care of himself. He’s everything you would want in a two-year-old trotting colt.”
“He was the one I knew I wanted when we went to the sale,” he continued. “I’ve been impressed with him since we started training him. He’s eligible to the Breeders Crown so we’ll get through these next couple weeks of stakes races and hope for the best. We’d love to give it (The Breeders Crown) a shot.”
With the win, the son of Swan For All-The Magic of Paris became the sport’s newest $100,000 earner and recorded his fifth win from 10 seasonal starts. Skyway Torpedo is owned in partnership by T. Comerford, T. Harts, J. Lee, and A. Miller.
The evening’s 12-race card kicked-off with Natural Herbie and Verlin Yoder equaling the track record for aged trotting geldings of 1:52.1 in the $21,000 Invitational Trot. Natural Herbie now shares the track record with I Know My Chip, who established the mark earlier this season. Winning for the 37th time from 100 lifetime starts and his fifth win this season from 15 trips behind the gate, Natural Herbie is trained, owned, and driven by Verlin Yoder, and sports a lifetime bankroll of $1,082,426.
Live racing continues at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Tuesday, September 19 with a 13-race card. Post time is 6:30 p.m.
(With files from Hoosier Park)