by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Always B Miki made the first start of his 2015 campaign a winning one as he cruised to a dominant victory in the $20,000 Indiana Sires Stakes elimination for older pacing stallions and geldings at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday (Oct. 3). With trainer Jimmy Takter in the bike, Always B Miki stopped the timer in 1:49 under wraps, finishing five lengths in front of his next closest competitor over a track rated ‘good’ on a cold, windy night in Indiana.

Linscott Photography

Always B Miki scored his first victory of the season at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.

Leaving from the outside post nine, Takter took no chances and sent Always B Miki away from the gate firing. Always B Miki quickly crossed over and grabbed the early lead through the opening quarter in :26.1 while the rest of the field sorted out early positions. Always B Miki dictated fractions of :54.2 and 1:22.2 before he began to put his talent on display.

As the field turned for home, Takter asked his mount for more and Always B Miki found another gear and began to pace away from the rest of the field. Always At My Place and Ricky Macomber Jr., the second betting choice, staged a big rally late in the lane but had too much ground to make up at the end of the mile and had to settle for second place honors. Always The Sun and Travis Seekman rounded out the trifecta. As the heavy betting favorite, Always B Miki returned $3.20 at the betting window.

“Scary good,” Jimmy Takter said with a smile in the winner’s circle. “No, really, he was scary good tonight. He raced as good as I could have hoped for.”

It was the first victory of the season for the son of Always A Virgin-Artstopper who had his 3-year-old season cut short due to an injury. Owned by Bluewood Stable, Roll The Dice Stable, and Christina Takter, Always B Miki has amassed $936,866 lifetime.

With the win, Always B Miki secured a spot in the $50,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final for the older pacing stallions and geldings, slated for Saturday (Oct. 10) at Hoosier Park.

Mykindachip and Peter Wrenn were victorious in the other elimination for older pacing stallions and geldings, scoring in 1:51.3. Trained by Jim Dailey, Mykindachip scored the 10th win of his season and sent his seasonal earnings to $129,165 for owner Carl Atley.

Color’s A Virgin delivered as the heavy betting favorite in the $20,000 Indiana Sires Stakes elimination for older pacing mares. Overcoming a tough, first-over trip, the Brian Brown trainee was home a winner by three lengths, scoring in 1:52.1. Owned by the Emerald Highlands Farm, Color’s A Virgin scored her sixth win from 16 seasonal outings and pushed her bankroll over the $100,000 mark for 2015 with the win.

Live racing returns to Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Tuesday (Oct. 6) with a new, fall post time of 5:45 p.m. Following a Tuesday through Saturday schedule, the 2015 harness racing season will be conducted through Nov. 14. For more information on the upcoming entertainment and live racing schedule, please visit www.hoosierpark.com.