from Indiana Downs

Shelbyville, IN — Indiana Downs closed the books on its 2012 harness meet Wednesday, November 7 with a 12-race card highlighted by a late-closing series and mini-series finals. In addition, Trace Tetrick and Ron Burke secured titles as the Shelbyville track’s top driver and trainer.

Coady Photography

From left, Indiana Downs general manager Jon Schuster, Trace Tetrick, assistant general manager Jack Droghei and racing secretary Scott Peine.

After taking the leading driver title at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino earlier this year, Tetrick completed the Indiana sweep with a productive Indiana Downs meet. Tetrick led all drivers with 138 trips to the winner’s circle while compiling $2.3 million in purse earnings. Ed Hensley finished second in the standings with 125 wins, followed by Peter Wrenn with 111 winners.

Tetrick capped the meet with four winners on closing night, the biggest coming with Molly Brown and BJ’s Elegant Image in late-closing finals action. In the second race of the night, the driver steered favorite Molly Brown to victory in the $25,000 final of The Peony for pacing fillies and mares. Taking control from the start, the Panspacificflight sophomore received every call on the way to winning in 1:54.2. Bred and owned by William Huggins, Brook Nickells trains the winner.

Second-choice BJ’s Elegant Image closed with a :28.3 last quarter to win by three parts of a length in the $25,000 I-74 final in 1:57.1. The trotter, a 3-year-old filly by Keystone Savage, is trained by Jeff Cullipher for owners Randy Bendis, Thomas Pollack and David Linker.

Burke picked up yet another leading trainer title at Indiana Downs, finishing the meet with 49 wins and nearly $1.2 million in earnings. Following closely in second was Steve Carter, who conditioned 47 winners during the campaign. Grant Wilfong sent out 36 winners to finish third in the standings.

Burke also closed out the meet with a victory, sending out Brown Titan to a score in the $25,000 finale of The Single G. Driven by Ricky Macomber Jr., the 3-year-old Dontgetinmyway gelding, part of a three-horse entry, led throughout the mile, was overtaken in the stretch, and fought back to win by nearly a length at the wire. Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and M1 Stable, LLC, Brown Titan stopped the timer in 1:52.2.