by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park

Anderson, IN — Fearless Diablo and Trace Tetrick made their seasonal debut a winning one as they captured the first featured event of the season, a $21,000 Invitational Pace, at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday (April 2). On a chilly night in Indiana, the Dylan Davis trainee bested seven other rivals in 1:53.3 over a track rated ‘good.’

Linscott Photography

Fearless Diablo made his first start of 2016 a winning one at Hoosier Park.

Leaving from post four, Fearless Diablo was unhurried from the gate and settled along the rail in seventh while the rest of the field battled for early position. Sam Widger had TG’s Divine Scene out and firing early to reach the front through an opening panel in a snappy :26.3. Thisjetsabookin and LeWayne Miller benefitted from a pocket trip while Vague Traces and Lavern Hostetler were next in line in third.

TG’s Divine Scene was able to rate the pace and continued to call the shots through middle fractions of :56.2 and 1:26.2. Don Eash and Astreo’s Love headed the cavalry charge of horses closing in on the leader as the field for turned for home.

Utilizing his customary late surging tactics and the long Hoosier Park stretch to his advantage, Fearless Diablo found a :26.1 closing quarter to secure the win by a length over Astreo’s Love. Nitro and Ricky Macomber Jr. rounded out the trifecta. Fearless Diablo paid $4.00 for the victory.

Owned by Michael Casalino and Dylan Davis, the 8-year-old horse has now amassed $259,395 lifetime. The victory marked his 24th lifetime victory and was one of four winners on the 14-race card for driver Trace Tetrick.

Davis and Tetrick also teamed up to get Star Guitar to the winner’s circle earlier in the card. Trainer Walter Haynes Jr. also had a training double on the evening as Tetrick scored with Tyber Tyke and Sombaro Montae.

Earlier in the day Tetrick guided Breeders Crown champion Freaky Feet Pete to a win in his 4-year-old qualifying debut at Hoosier Park. Freaky Feet Pete cruised through fractions of :27.2, :56.1 and 1:24.3 before kicking home in :27.4 to win by 9-1/4 lengths in 1:52.2 in less than favorable weather conditions.

“He was strong,” Tetrick noted after the qualifier. “He felt like Larry (Rheinheimer) could drop him in the box tomorrow. He was maybe a little aggressive but I think that’s to be expected when he’s been away from work for a few months. The weather wasn’t perfect, the wind was definitely a factor but he felt great.”

The son of Rockin Image-Skyway Lori will likely make his first pari-mutuel start at Hoosier Park before shipping to Northfield Park for his first major stakes race of the year, the $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie on May 21.

Live racing will return to Hoosier Park on Thursday (April 7) and continue through Saturday (April 9) with a daily post time of 5:45 p.m. The following week live racing will resume a Tuesday through Saturday schedule through the end of the meet on Nov. 12.