by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Dismissed at 8-1, No Respect turned in a gutsy performance to take home top honors in the $22,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational Pace at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday (April 18).

Guided by Sam Widger, No Respect left early for position and was game in the stretch to score her fourth win of the season in 1:52.2.

Linscott Photography

No Respect and Sam Widger (#3) won the featured event at Hoosier Park.

Leaving from post three, No Respect was sent from the gate as soon as the wings folded but found herself in an early battle for position with the heavily favored American Girl and Peter Wrenn. No Respect was able to grab the lead at the first quarter clocking in :27.2 but her lead would be short lived. Ritascape and Frank Davis were well placed in the pocket as Wrenn sent American Girl to the front from their spot along the rail in third.

American Girl reached the top spot at the half-mile mark in :56.2 and continued to call the shots approaching the final turn with a three-quarter clocking in 1:24.4. Blissful Romance and Ricky Macomber, Jr. were the first to take aim at the leader with the Indiana Sire Stakes champion Always About Katey and Tyler Smith in tow.

As the field turned for home, it was a cavalry charge to the wire. The field began to fan out across the track and American Girl appeared to be up to the task as she fought off Blissful Romance. As the top pair battled on the front, Widger sat patiently along the rail in third but was desperately looking for racing room.

Tipping three wide late in the lane, Widger asked No Respect for more and she responded gamely with a :27.2 final panel to grind out the victory. Blissful Romance held on for second while Love This Place and Trace Tetrick rallied late for third.

“She was really good last week and I knew I wanted to leave out of there to get position,” Widger noted after the race. “Turning for home, I wasn’t sure if she had enough to get the job done but as soon as I asked her for more she found another gear and paced all the way to the wire. I was really impressed with her tonight.”

As the public’s fifth choice in the field of eight, No Respect returned $19.40 at the windows. The 1:52.2 victory was No Respect’s 17th career victory and just two ticks off her lifetime best. The daughter of Sportsmaster-Justalittlerespect notched her fourth win of the season from 10 outings while increasing her bankroll to $47,625. Trained by Nick Giberson, No Respect has now amassed $271,553 lifetime for owner Mark Winship.