by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Freaky Feet Pete turned in another dominating performance to find the winner’s circle at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, August 7 in his split of the $20,000 Indiana Sires Stakes eliminations for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, extending his win streak to six in the process. Driven by regular pilot Trace Tetrick, Freaky Feet Pete reached the wire five lengths in front of his closest competitor to stop the clock in 1:50.1 and notch his fifth win of the season.

Linscott photo

Freaky Feet Pete scored his sixth consecutive victory at Hoosier Park in Indiana Sires Stakes action.

Tetrick took no chances and sent the overwhelming 1-9 favorite to the front from post eight in the field of nine. Freaky Feet Pete leisurely strolled through fractions of :26.2, :54.4 and 1:23.2 while the rest of the field remained in single file order. Kelly D and Sam Widger benefitted from a pocket trip while Sumthintallnstrong and James Yoder began the first-over bid down the backside.

Doing what Freaky Feet Pete has done all season long, he began to separate himself from the rest of the field turning for home. With a four length lead at the top of the stretch, Freaky Feet Pete used a :26.4 final panel to coast on to the wire under a hand drive from Tetrick.

Sumthintallnstrong rallied late in the lane for second place honors while Swing City and Andy Shetler rounded out the trifecta. Freaky Feet Pete returned $2.10 to his backers at the window.

“He surprises me every time he’s on the track,” trainer Larry Rheinheimer said in the winner’s circle after the win. “We don’t give Trace any instructions but he always takes care of him and does what he needs to do.”

Freaky Feet Pete scored his 15^th career victory from 17 lifetime outings. The homebred son of Rockin Image-Skyway Lori has now earned $397,100 for his owners Mary Jo Rheinheimer and Marty Rheinheimer. Rheinheimer’s star pupil will be aimed next for the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final at Hoosier Park on Friday, August 14 but says the possibility of venturing out of the state of Indiana is not out of the question.

“There’s a little bit of down time here,” Rheinheimer continued. “So, if something fits in the schedule, we’ll certainly look into it. As far as the Breeders Crown goes, that’s definitely still a possibility for us. If he keeps racing well and going in the right direction, he deserves the chance to prove himself.”

Royal Rex and Tyler Smith took the next split of the stakes action scoring in 1:52.3 for trainer Roger Cullipher. Staging a big rally late in the lane, Royal Rex dug in gamely to overcome This Baby Rocks and LeWayne Miller. With the win, the son of Sand Shooter-Go Ginny Go notched his third win of the season from 15 outings. Royal Rex has now earned $50,919 for owner Nathan Sea.

The Big Year and LeWayne Miller pulled a slight upset to take the final division of the stakes action, scoring in a lifetime best of 1:51. Using a near gate to wire effort, The Big Year held on gamely late in the lane to score the victory. Trained by Erv Miller, The Big Year scored his fourth win of the season from 15 starts. The son of Panspacificflight-Aristocracy has now earned $171,203.

All three of the evening’s elimination winners successfully earned a spot in the fourth $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final for 3-year-old pacing colts slated for the star studded 14-race card on Friday, August 14 at Hoosier Park. With a daily post time of 5:15 p.m., live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule and be conducted through November 14.