by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager

Columbus, OH — Meadowlands Pace champion Art Official made an impressive return to the racing wars, scoring in 1:49.4 in the $150,000 Monument Circle on Saturday night (August 2) at Indiana Downs.

Ron Pierce was in the bike for trainer Joe Seekman and owner Sawgrass Farms LLC as the son of Art Major-Naughty Shady Lady won for the seventh time in 13 trips to the post, improving his 2008 bankroll to $972,550.

Art Official sat fifth for the opening half-mile, moved up to fourth, following the live cover of Vette Man, at the three-quarter pole, then took command at the top of the stretch. He drew away from the field in the lane and crossed the finish line 3-3/4 lengths ahead of Genuwine (Jason Dillander). Vette Man (Track Tetrick) was third.

Also on the card at Indiana Downs were a pair of divisions of the Elevation for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

The $76,000 first division went to Annieswesterncard (Western Hanover-Annie Your A Card) in 1:50.3. The winning connections of owner Sawgrass Farms LLC, trainer Joe Seekman, and driver Ron Pierce saw Annieswesterncard score for the third time in five lifetime starts. He was 1-3/4 lengths better than Suprizemeagain (Trace Tetrick), with Pedro Island (Dan Shetler) third.

In the $74,000 second split of the Elevation, Ron Pierce made it a clean sweep of the Indiana Downs stakes as he steered D. Van Witzenburg’s Ideal Danny home in 1:53.4. The Western Ideal-Armbro Nectarine colt, trained by Erv Miller, defeated Estero Bay (Tony Morgan) by 1-1/2 lengths. Finishing third was Arch Nemeses (Jeff Cullipher).