Lekrem Bluegrass dominates in Sires Stakes
April 9, 2005,by Ryan Hubbard, publicity department, Hoosier Park
Anderson, IN — Lekrem Bluegrass dominated the field in the first leg of the Indiana Sires Stakes for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Friday, April 8 at Hoosier Park. Along with driver Brett Miller, the duo led the entire mile, winning by five and one-half lengths in a time of 1:54.4. “He (Lekrem Bluegrass) is a really nice colt,” said Miller. “I am excited about his performance. He was really brave tonight. I drove him real aggressively, and that’s how he needed to race to win.” Lekrem Bluegrass (Brett Miller) captured Friday’s Indiana Sires Stakes feature. Miller drove Lekrem Bluegrass from the gate to the first quarter in a lively 
In the stretch, Lekrem Bluegrass extended his lead to three lengths and left the field of 11 behind him, winning in impressive fashion. No Tears Here and driver Ricky Macomber, Jr. rallied through the stretch to finish second. Hoosier Tiger and driver Jay Cross finished third.
Lekrem Bluegrass returned $3.80, $3.00, and $3.40 for the victory. He is now nine for 15 lifetime. Dr. Luel Overstreet owns the son of Dorunrun Bluegrass. John Merkel trains him. The horse’s first name, Lekrem, is Merkel spelled backwards.
“I love to drive for Merkel,” said Miller. “It is a real privilege to drive for someone like that. You just have to be careful with young colts like this one.”
Shezahotmark sizzles in top mares pace
Shezahotmark and driver-trainer Don Eash turned in a blistering performance on Friday to win the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace.
The four-year-old mare now has two consecutive wins, coming into Hoosier Park off a career best victory in a time of 1:51.4.
Hoosier Park/Jim Linscott photos
Shezahotmark was a winner in Friday’s distaff Open.
Starting from post eight, Shezahotmark rarely gets involved in the early battle for the front-end. She stuck to her usual game plan in the ten horse lineup.
Catcha Raider and Peter Wrenn grabbed the first lead but were quickly passed up by Graceous Interlude and Brian Carpenter, who secured the top spot heading to the half. His move to the lead caused horses from the back of the pack to begin forming a second tier, giving Shezahotmark just the movement she needed to advance to the leaders.
“The trip tonight worked out perfect,” said Eash. “I was pretty confident coming into this race. This horse gets better and better every week. She had three really good starts in Chicago earlier this year.”
Shezahotmark worked out a second over trip and sat patiently around the final turn. Turning for home, Eash had Shezahotmark in the center of the track with a clear shot to the wire, posting the mile in a time of 1:54.4. Leaveme Cammy, making her 2005 debut for Don Irvine, Jr., finished second over Kentucky Brew and Joe Essig, Jr. for third. All top three finishers are Indiana sired pacing mares.
“Having post eight didn’t bother me,” said Eash. “She’s a come from behind mare. Coming from the eight hole and working the outside worked just right for her.”
Shezahotmark now has two wins in four starts for 2005. The daughter of Mark Johnathan increased her career earnings to more than $67,000 with the victory. Eash Racing Stable of Greenfield, Indiana owns the mare.
–Tammy Knox also contributed to this report