Mypanmar gets up at the wire to the win the Gregg Haston Memorial.

Mypanmar, noted for his quick speed out of the gate, used different strategy, pulling off the gate and easing into mid-pack as Art’s Chip, last week’s Invitational winner, gunned to the front, grabbing the spot just after the quarter-mile marker in :26.4. Heading down the backstretch, Art’s Chip was in full command, but was quickly joined as the second tier formed with Foxy Maneuver and Don Eash the first to advance forward.

“I was able to pull out behind Cam’s Fast Gun and Ron Pierce heading down the backstretch,” said Miller. “This gave me the perfect third-over trip. You couldn’t ask for a better spot.”

Around the final turn, Art’s Chip was giving no indication of slowing down. He looked strong and in control passing through the three-quarter-mile marker in 1:23.3. Cam’s Fast Gun was closing slowly on the leader. Right on his heels was Mypanmar, who swung wide for a better shot at the finish line.

At the wire, Mypanmar surged forward in the last step to take the victory by a head in 1:51.1. Art’s Chip turned in a game performance for second over Cam’s Fast Gun for third.

“I was pretty sure I got the win at the wire,” said Miller. “I was more worried about getting to Art’s Chip than fending off Cam’s Fast Gun. Art’s Chip is a tough horse and he looks really good right now. I knew he’d be tough to beat.”

The victory for Mypanmar was his fourth of the season in five outings. The flashy chestnut horse is owned by Peter Pan Stables of Pepper Pike, Ohio. Virgil Morgan, Jr. trains Mypanmar.

The Gregg Haston Memorial is in honor of driver Gregg Haston, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1996. Haston, a native of Indiana, was the track’s leading driver and trainer during the inaugural season. He was 36 at the time of his death. The race is held during Dan Patch Night each year in his honor. The leading driver award is also named the Gregg Haston Leading Driver Award. A replica of his colors are on display in the Hall of Fame room at Hoosier Park.

American Tribute wins Invitational Trot

American Tribute and driver Roger Cullipher got a big win in the $25,000 Invitational Trot. The daughter of Yankee Glide carded her first win in five tries for the 2005 season. The mare stopped the clock at 1:56.3, one tick off of her lifetime best.

American Tribute and Roger Cullipher won the Invitational Trot.

Rose Run Ferrari and reinsman Peter Wrenn trotted hard from the gate, taking the early lead from post four. The duo led the field to the quarter-mile mark in :29. Honor The Cash and Eric Goodell pulled off the rail, taking the lead heading down the backstretch. The pair set the half-mile fraction at :59. Honor The Cash clung to the lead around the final turn as the pack began to spread out heading for home, setting a fraction of 1:27.4. The drivers began making moves as the horses trotted down the stretch going four wide. It was American Tribute who made the best move, however, as the trotter charged hard down the stretch to come across the wire ahead of the field. Rose Run Ferrari remained steady to claim second, while Bubba Dunn and David Miller trotted home for third.

Cullipher knew the horse had a big performance in her, but the mare has had some bad luck in her last couple of starts.

“She has been really good in her last couple of starts. Really, both of the last times she’s been beaten have been my fault,” said Cullipher. “I didn’t get out when I should have last week and got trapped. She had another start where she broke a suspender and it got wrapped around her legs. She doesn’t normally wear suspenders and they were put on by mistake.”

Cullipher was confident American Tribute could compete with the high-class of trotters that made up the field for the Invitational.

“These are mostly the same horses she has been racing with the entire meet. I figured she could trot well with them and have a good shot to win. She isn’t a 1:53 type trotter, but if she gets a good clean trip, I think she could get there in 1:55.”

Cullipher used cover coming off the final turn to make his move for the win.

“She was strong,” said Cullipher. “When we came off the turn, Pete (Wrenn) left and I just dropped behind him. We moved down the stretch and I got on her and she made the move for the win.”

American Tribute paid $16.00, $9.80, and $6.00 across the board for the win. The win puts the four-year-old over the $50,000 mark for her career. American Tribute is owned by Senia Rebecca Lawson of Williamsburg, Kentucky. Cullipher also handles training duties for the owner.

Scootin T closes strong in Fillies and Mares Invite

All it took was a great driver and an excellent stretch drive for Scootin T to steal the $25,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational Pace.

With Hall of Fame driver Ron Pierce in the bike, Scootin T won her third straight race, pacing the mile in 1:52.3 over a fast track.

“We got away well in fifth at the beginning of the race,” said Pierce. “I did not get a chance to look at the program before the race. I felt our chances were great when we came three deep off of the turn.”

Ron Pierce motored Scootin T to victory in the distaff feature.

Shezahotmark and trainer-driver Don Eash got things underway as they led the field of eight to the first quarter pole in :25.4. Following closely in second was Stormies Girl and driver Tim Tetrick, who made a move for the front down the backstretch. After bolstering to the lead, Stormies Girl moved the pack to the half-mile marker in :54.2. Morning line favorite Midnight Jewel and driver David Miller made a bid for the lead around the final turn. However, Stormies Girl still held the advantage, hitting the third panel in 1:23.1. Down the stretch, Stormies Girl began to give up her one length lead. Midnight Jewel was in contention, but it was Scootin T that was charging from between horses to get up and win in a seasonal best. Midnight Jewel held ground to finish second. Kieanna’s Angel and driver Roger Cullipher rallied for third.

“We got the right trip tonight,” said Pierce. “The track seemed alright to me. I had a pretty good idea we were going to win right after we were in deep stretch.”

Scootin T returned $4.40, $2.80, and $2.40 for the victory. She is three for four in 2005. The daughter of Johnny’s Scooter is owned by Erica King-Hancock of Parma, Michigan. David Hancock trains the six-year-old.

Devil’s Music smashes world record in 15/16th mile dash

Devil’s Music and driver Jay Cross smashed the world record for the special 15/16th of a mile dash. The record, which was set in 1:45, broke the previous 51-year-old mark of 1:53.3, set by Gay Harmony in 1954 at Vernon Downs.

“Everything worked out alright tonight,” said Cross. “As far as I was concerned, it was a one mile race. I think everyone else thought they had to gun it at the beginning of the race. It was nice that the fast fractions worked out in our favor.”

Jim Linscott Photos

Devil’s Music lowered the world record for the special 15/16th of a mile dash.

The race, which was started in front of the tote board, started out with style. Fresh Heir and driver Brian Carpenter used their inside post position to their advantage when they led the field of 10 into the first quarter in :26.4. Fresh Heir was able to hold his ground to stay in front past the half, which came and went in :54.3. After a third panel in 1:23.1 set by Fresh Heir, Cross had Devil’s Music out and on the move. In the stretch, Devil’s Music took over the lead and went straight to the wire to set the world record. Joy Of The Sport and driver Ryan Anderson rallied in deep stretch to finish second. Rodeo Punch and trainer-driver Don Eash finished third.