from the Hoosier Park Publicity Department

Anderson, IN — Natty Kay and driver Ricky Macomber, Jr. were too strong for the field as they won their $10,000 first leg division of the Genesis Series for three-year-old filly pacers at Hoosier Park on Friday, April 29. The victory keeps her undefeated in two starts this season at the Anderson track.

“She (Natty Kay) raced really well tonight,” said Macomber. “She was a lot more relaxed than she was last time out. The main focus right now is to keep her racing in the Genesis and Indiana Sires Stakes.”

Natty Kay scores in her Genesis Series division for Ricky Macomber, Jr.

The race was all Natty Kay’s as she got a perfect two hole trip behind early leader Shania Bluegrass and driver Brett Miller. After the first quarter, which went in :28.2, Macomber sent Natty Kay right to the front.

Natty Kay continued her lead as the field reach the half-mile pole in :58.2. She went on to establish the three-quarters in 1:27.1. It was all Natty Kay in the stretch as she extended her advantage to one and one-half lengths, going on to win the second division of the Genesis Series. She completed the mile in 1:54.4, closing the final panel in :27.3. Finishing second was a late charging Alittlemore Action and driver Brooke Nickells. Shania Bluegrass rallied back to finish third.

Natty Kay returned $4.20, $3.00, and $2.20 for the victory. The three-year-old filly also won the first leg of the Indiana Sires Stakes in her last start. The daughter of Kentucky Spur is owned by Frank Baldachino, Neal Greenberg, and Mark P’pool. P’pool also trains Natty Kay.

Tinivizion had her eyes set on victory and the three-year-old filly didn’t disappoint. The pacer and driver Don Irvine, Jr. easily handled a tough field in the first division of the Genesis Series.

The daughter of Izatiger bested her career mark by more than two seconds as she stopped the clock at 1:53.2. The victory is the third in four tries for the filly in 2005.

Hoosier Park/Jim Linscott Photos

Tinivizion and Don Irvine, Jr. were easy winners on Friday.

Chello’s Sin D and reinsman Joe Essig, Jr. charged hard as the gate folded to claim the early lead. The rest of the field ducked into position along the rail. Chello’s Sin D set the quarter-mile fraction at :27.3. Crackling Rose and driver Brett Miller moved to the outside to take the lead as the field rounded the turn and headed onto the backstretch. That lead would be short lived, however, as Chello’s Sin D would not be outdone, taking the lead back heading toward the three-quarter mark, setting the fraction at 1:26.1. Crackling Rose moved again to the outside heading onto the homestretch with Tinivizion hot on her heels. Tinivizion moved from Crackling Rose’s cover to blaze down the stretch for an 11 and one-quarter length win. Chello’s Sin D remained steady on the stretch to claim second, while Antilles and driver Alvin Miller paced hard coming home for third.

Irvine couldn’t have asked for a better trip on the fast Hoosier Park track.

“I got the perfect two hole trip out of her (Tinivizion),” said Irvine. “I didn’t have to pull her until the halfway point on the backstretch.”

Irvine’s driving experience paid off as he made his move for the win.

“I used his (Brett Miller) cover around the last turn. I pulled to the outside from the cover and she (Tinivizion) just exploded down the stretch. I didn’t have to get on her hard at all. I yelled once and she just took off.”

Tinivizion paid $4.00, $2.40, and $2.40 across the board for the win. She is owned by Danny Perdue, Scott Rudnick, and Stephen Fowble of Ohio. Perdue handles training duties for the filly.

Perdue and Irvine are among the top ten in their respective areas for the 2005 Standardbred meet at Hoosier Park.

Miss Mica and Irvine held on for the win against a tough field of pacers in the final $10,000 first leg split of the Genesis Series. The daughter of Jate Lobell matched her career best crossing the wire in 1:56.4. The win is the first victory in three tries for the filly in 2005.

Rustle My Foot and driver Don Eash jumped out to an early lead as the gate folded. The duo led the field into the first turn, setting a quarter-mile fraction of :28.3. Miss Mica moved to the outside as the fillies paced onto the backstretch to take the lead. The filly set the fraction of :58 at the halfway point. Miss Mica kicked it in gear coming around the turn, pulling ahead to a three length lead as the field approached the stretch. The pacer covered three-quarters of a mile in 1:27.4. The field quickly closed on Miss Mica as they paced home. However, the filly showed heart as she hung on for the one and one-half length victory.

Irvine had no option but to take the “come from behind filly” to the front early.

“She isn’t a good horse out in front. In fact, earlier this year she went out in front and got tired on me. She is a come from behind filly. The two fillies in front of me were slow and I had to make the move when I did. I thought she might get tired on me again, but I didn’t have a choice.”

Irvine’s concern became greater as the field closed on Miss Mica down the stretch.

“I was worried she wouldn’t have enough in the stretch. She was letting up on me pretty good with about an eighth of a mile to go. She held on right to the end though.”

Miss Mica is owned by Ted Comerford of Peru, Indiana and Twila Harts of Amboy, Indiana. Alvin Miller trains the filly. The win puts Miss Mica over the $20,000 mark for her career. She paid $3.40, $2.40, and $2.40 across the board.

The victory was one of three on the program for driver Don Irvine, Jr. The final victory of the night behind CG’s Foxy Lady in race 14 marked his 1,000th career win at Hoosier Park. Irvine is a six-time leading driving champ and has earned the title the past five consecutive seasons.