by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Six legs of the Jerry Landess Series, a late closing event open to 3&4-year-old Indiana sired colts and geldings that are non-winners of $7,500 lifetime, were contested on Thursday (March 29) at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.

Our Lucky Chip stole the show in a dominant 1:55.3 romp. Trained by Jason Miller, Our Lucky Chip cautiously made his way to the front through a first quarter in :28:3 as he sat parked; patiently waiting for his cue from driver Trace Tetrick. As the heavy favorite, Our Lucky Chip made his way to the front and reached the half in a mild 1:00.0. The lightly raced 3-year-old began to showcase his ability as he opened up on the field of ten through a three-quarter split in 1:28.2. Winning by 14 lengths, Our Lucky Chip was well in hand at the wire romping home in :27.1. Sired by Art’s Chip, the bay colt has now won three of his four lifetime starts.

Owned by Jason E. Miller of Wabash, IN and Bradley R. Roller of Bunkerhill, IN, Our Lucky Chip has now earned $10,325 in his limited outings. Long shots, Olympic Fox and driver Ross Leonard, finished second while Best Things R Free and Peter Wrenn rounded out the well paying trifecta.

Artychoke, trained by Art Gregory Jr., was the first divisional winner. Coming from off the pace, he reached the wire in 1:57.4 with a closing panel in :27. Driven by Sam Widger, the 3-year-old gelding is owned by Dennis Brightwell. Mack Straight won the second split of Landess series in a lifetime best effort of 1:56.4. Tyler Smith guided the 4-year-old son of Third Straight to a perfect second-over trip to edge out his rivals by three-quarters of a length. Owned and bred by Travis Mack of Holton, IN, Mack Straight has now boosted his lifetime bankroll to over $12,000.

Lucky Ivan and driver Peter Wrenn took advantage of a miscue by the public’s choice, Boot Scootin Bow, behind the starting car as they cruised to victory in 1:58 with a fast-closing panel of :27.1. Trained by Ron Otto, Lucky Ivan posted his first win of the year in a career best time.

W White Comet and Wilbur’s Z Tam also won their respective legs of the late closing action for their connections. W White Comet is trained by Brett Wilfong and was driven to victory by Sam Widger in the second fastest division of the night. With a final time of 1:56.3, W White Comet split horses late to edge out his rivals in the closing strides to win by a length and three quarters. Wilburs Z Tam found the winner’s circle in 1:57.4, off of a tough front end effort. As his opponents closed in, Wilburs Z Tam dug in to win by three parts of a length in his maiden breaking effort.

The Jerry Landess series continues with another $10,000 preliminary leg and the $15,000 final being contested on Thursday, April 12.