by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park
Anderson, IN — Enoch, with Trace Tetrick in the bike, provided a slight upset in the featured event of the evening, a $21,000 Invitational Pace, at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday (June 23). With a final time of 1:49.2, Enoch recorded his second consecutive Hoosier Park victory and established a new lifetime mark in the process.
Tetrick elected to use off-the-pace tactics with Enoch as he was uninvolved in the early stages of the going to settle along the rail in sixth. Sam Widger had Night Pro pointed to the front but would have to work for position as New Talent and Todd Warren also left aggressively. Night Pro was able to grab the lead through a snappy opening panel of :25.3 while New Talent opted for the pocket seat.
Night Pro continued to call the shots down the backside as the hot pace continued through the second station in :53.2. As the field approached the final turn, John DeLong had Shooter’s Dream on the attack first-over and Enoch quickly grabbed the cover through the three-quarter clocking in 1:22.3. Night Pro was still in charge turning for home but the torrid pace was beginning to take it’s toll.
Shooter’s Dream was able to wear down the leader but Enoch was poised to strike. Using a :26.2 final panel, Enoch coasted on to the wire a length in front of his competition. New Talent rallied gamely in the lane but had to settle for second place honors. Shooter’s Dream held on for third. Slightly dismissed at the betting windows, Enoch returned $10.80 to his backers at the betting windows.
Trained by Ron Burke, the 4-year-old gelded son of Panspacificflight-Kienna’s Angel has now won three of seven seasonal starts. Recording his 10th lifetime victory from 32 outings, Enoch pushed his lifetime bankroll to $134,740 for his owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, P. Collura, and F. Baldachino.
It was a Trace Tetrick early double as he also found the winner’s circle in the second race of the evening behind Gerries Sport for trainer Tyler George. Stopping the timer in 1:49.1, Gerries Sport recorded his fourth seasonal victory and also a new lifetime mark.
Live racing will continue at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday (June 24) with a 12-race card. With a daily post time of 6:30 p.m., live racing at Hoosier Park will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule and be conducted through Nov. 17. The 24th season of live harness racing is highlighted by the 34th edition of the Breeders Crown, harness racing’s championship event valued at $6 million, on Friday (Oct. 27) and Satuday (Oct. 28). For more information on the upcoming entertainment and live racing schedule, please visit www.hoosierpark.com.