by Brad Meadows and Ryan Hubbard, Hoosier Park publicity department

Anderson, IN — Indiana-sired 6-year-old Rebelman paced to a new lifetime mark of 1:50.1 on Saturday, June 16, in the featured $22,000 Budweiser Invitational Handicap at Hoosier Park.

Picking up Applebee’s Driver of the Week Joe Essig, Jr., Rebelman grabbed the lead early down the backstretch and did not look back. The win is the fourth of the season for the son of Electric Yankee.

“I got away pretty much where I wanted to be,” said Essig. “I took my turn on the front after things began to slow down. As soon as they settled down I went to the front.”

Terri Kelley photo

Rebelman held off I’m All Jazz by a head to win the Invitational Handicap.

First to take the lead from the inside was Ataboyart, who returned to the track for the first time since competing in the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational on April 28. I’m All Jazz, with driver Andy Shetler, challenged for the lead from the middle of the pack and led the field to a :25.4 parked opening quarter-mile. Rebelman grabbed cover in third.

Waiting for I’m All Jazz and Shetler to slow down the pace, Essig moved the prized Steve Brannan-trained gelding to the lead early down the backstretch. This relegated I’m All Jazz to second. Rebelman led the field to half and three-quarter fractions of :54.3 and 1:23.1.

Several late closing threats moved into position to strike down the stretch. Ross Leonard had Chief Silverheels three-wide but too far off the pace this week to contend. I’m All Jazz challenged from the pocket seat, with Ataboyart and Ricky Macomber, Jr. in third. It was all Rebelman, however, who turned in a :27 final quarter-mile to win by a head over I’m All Jazz. Ataboyart held on to finish the mile in third.

“There are a lot of horses that can come home quickly,” added Essig. “He was game tonight. I’m All Jazz was coming late. There are just a lot of good horses out there.”

Rebelman returned $4.20, $3.60, and $2.60. Steve Brannan of Bryan, Ohio owns and trains the son of Electric Yankee. The win is the 26th in 57 career starts for Rebelman, who has career earnings of over $290,000.

Search Engine finds win in Sires Stakes

Search Engine was a runaway winner in the fourth leg of the Indiana Sires Stakes on Saturday. With driver Mark O’Mara in the sulky, the duo took the lead down the backstretch, and never looked back as they hit the wire in 1:51.3 for a new career best.

Search Engine swept all preliminary legs, leading the way into the final June 30, which is part of a special Hoosier Cup Night in which purses for the evening will exceed $1 million.

“It was a nice night, and the track was in great shape,” said O’Mara. “It looked like the horses up front were anticipating our move and we just looked to find cover. This was a big mile for any horse in the race.”

Search Engine began researching for position from post one along the pylons. Jumping out for the lead was Bob’s Alibi and driver Walter Haynes, Jr. Bob’s Alibi took the field of eight to the opening quarter in :26.1.

Sitting in fourth down the backside, Search Engine and O’Mara went for the lead, passing Bob’s Alibi after a half-mile in :55.4. The decision proved to be the winning key as Search Engine coasted the rest of the way.

Search Engine extended his lead in the stretch to win by a total of four lengths, closing with a final panel in :27.4. Bob’s Alibi held on to finish second. Fun Time and driver Don Irvine, Jr. rallied to round out the trifecta.

“The fractions started to slow down, so I made my move,” said O’Mara. “He (Search Engine) was getting a little lazy. I made sure he was still alert. Later down the line, I will have to ask him for more.”

Search Engine paid $2.80, $2.40, and $2.10 for the win as the heavy favorite. The 3-year-old son of Electric Yankee is an astounding five for seven with one second place performance in 2007. George McClarnon owns the Indiana-sired colt. Search Engine is trained by Dave White.