by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Pacing colts were the featured attraction at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday (April 10) as three legs of the Jerry Landess series, a late closing event open to 3- and 4-year-old Indiana sired colts and geldings that are non-winners of $7,500 lifetime, were held.

Mysterious Bob and Pete Wrenn made amends for their second place finish in the first round of the series as they coasted home to a 1:55.3 victory.

Linscott Photography

Mysterious Bob and Pete Wrenn were 1:55.3 winners in the opening split.

Leaving from post two, Wrenn let the 3-year-old gelding settle through first half fractions of :27.3 and :58 set by Chipchompinchampin and Tyler Smith. Progressive Hanover benefitted from a pocket trip while Noha and Trace Tetrick followed in third.

Wrenn made his move down the backside and Mysterious Bob cleared to the front around the three-quarter mark in 1:27.3 as the field began to tighten. With a :28 final panel, Mysterious Bob cruised home a winner, two lengths in front of Endeavors King and Tony Hall who rallied from off the pace to finish second. Chimpchompinchampin paced evenly to round out the trifecta.

Mysterious Bob didn’t disappoint as the public’s choice, scoring his first win of the season and second lifetime victory. Sired by Always A Virgin, Mysterious Bob has bankrolled $10,137 for the partnership of William C. DeLong, William P. DeLong and Ernest Miller, Jr. Trained by Roger Welch, Mysterious Bob established a new lifetime mark with the victory.

Rhi’s Scootn Rondo and driver Sam Widger staged a big rally late in the lane to take the second division of the Landess action in 1:58.2.

The 4-year-old gelding had his work cut out for him as he started from the outside in post position eight in the eight-horse field. With a final quarter in :27.4, Rhi’s Scootn Rondo was able to track down the heavily favored Gleaming Big Guy in the lane to notch his first win of the season. Gleaming Big Guy and Tony Hall finished second while Ransomed and Pete Wrenn held on for the third place finish.

Rhi’s Scootn Rondo is trained by Ora Miller and owned by Lori and Michael Wheeler.

In the final division, Pete Wrenn scored a driving double in the late closing action as he guided Night Pro to victory in 1:56.2. The 3-year-old colt visited Hoosier Park’s winner circle for the second consecutive time and pushed his win streak to three.

Wrenn made an early decision for position as he sent Night Pro to the front through an opening panel of :28. The bettors’ choice, Suddenly Single, made his move to the lead down the backside as Wrenn yielded for a pocket trip. Suddenly Single and Sam Widger led the field of nine through a leisurely half in :58.2 before making a costly break around the final turn.

Inheriting the lead, Night Pro turned back any challengers as he charged home in :26.4 to win by 6-1/4 lengths. Barley Pop and Trace Tetrick finished second while Bullwinkle and Kayne Kauffman came from off the pace to finish third.

Owned and trained by Dale Decker, Night Pro pushed his career earnings to $8,500 in only three starts. Sired by Pro Bono Best, Night Pro is the first foal from the multiple stakes winning mare Midnight Jewel.

The top ten point earners in each leg of the series will return for the $15,000 Jerry Landess series final, slated for Wednesday (April 17) at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.