by Tammy Knox, director of race marketing affairs, Hoosier Park

Anderson, IN — Freddyscooter and driver Trace Tetrick made the ending the best part of the featured $24,000 Invitational Pace at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday (May 11). The duo rallied hard on past the field to pull in their first victory of 2011 by only a half length in a time of 1:51.

“He (Freddyscooter) acted like his old self tonight,” said Tetrick, who had a driving triple on the program. “He was just sharp tonight. Steve (Brannan) does a good job with this horse. Having a couple of prep races was good for him.”

Linscott Photography

Freddyscooter was a 1:51 winner in the $24,000 Invitational.

Starting from post eight in the 10-horse field, Freddyscooter and Tetrick were not quick out of the gate, watching as Royalton Star and Andy Shetler headed to the lead, posting a quarter-mile time of :25.4. The duo continued to lead the way through middle fractions of :55 and 1:23.2 before seeing a real challenge on the outside from Park Lane Hotshot and Sam Widger, who endured a first-over journey.

In the stretch, horses fanned out across the track with hopes of being the strongest at the end. Several horses were in perfect position to grab the lead and take the win, but they forgot about the closing strength of Freddyscooter, who was widest of all. In the final strides, the 6-year-old I Scoot Hanover gelding had the quickest steps, getting to the wire with a :26.2 final panel. Get It Now and Ricky Macomber closed well for second. Robin I Scoot and leading driver Peter Wrenn were solid for third.

“I thought we were a ways back in this race,” said Tetrick. “The cover was moving, but it wasn’t moving very fast. But everything worked out in the end.”

Owned by Steve Brannan and Frederick Shiery, Freddyscooter made his third start of the year a winning one. He now has 24 career wins and is just under the $500,000 mark for career earnings for his connections. Brannan raised the Indiana-sired gelding at his farm in Bryan, Ohio, and serves as the trainer of Freddyscooter.

“He’s (Freddyscooter) back to his old self,” said Brannan. “We have been kind of taking our time with him this year, getting back to the races. Last year, we kind of rushed him and I didn’t want to do that this year. That’s his kind of race right there — coming off the pace.”

Brannan’s broodmare, Precious Sarah, has been a 100 percent producer in nine foals of racing age. Besides Freddyscooter, the Artsplace mare has produced such standouts as Three Sparkles, Funny Deacon, and Rebelman, all six-figure earners. Brannan has a 2-year-old full brother to Freddyscooter, Steviescooter, who will be looking to join the racing ranks later this season. Brannan and his wife, Nancy, also have a full sister to Freddyscooter to break this fall named Nannyscooter.