by Ryan Hubbard, Hoosier Park publicity department

Anderson, IN — Lets Get Serious N won his first race on United States soil as he was victorious in the $22,000 Invitational Trot on Saturday, May 12, at Hoosier Park.

Terri Kelley photo

Lets Get Serious N (Ricky Macomber, Jr.) was a winner in 1:54.1.

Roaring in the stretch with driver Ricky Macomber, Jr. in the sulky, the New Zealand invader trotted the mile in 1:54.1. The race was one of the fastest trots in the track’s history.

“I really didn’t know what to expect from him (Lets Get Serious N) when I started driving him,” said Macomber. “He was strong tonight. He has really adapted to our style of racing in the U.S. Usually you have to start foreign horses off like they are still babies. He learned our style really quick.”

Lets Get Serious N drew post position seven for his second start at Hoosier Park. To get the job done, he had to come from all the way back from seventh down the backside. Following the field past remaining quarters in :57 and 1:26, Lets Get Serious N charged to the outside in the stretch.

Weaving his way through traffic, a burst of speed came from Lets Get Serious N. He was nothing but serious as he cut the final panel in :27.2, en route to the lead in deep stretch.

Macomber asked the 6-year-old for more and he responded with class, opening up to win by 4-1/2 lengths. B L Starchip and driver Don Eash made a late rally to finish second. LF Sharp Score, with driver Mark O’Mara, came back to finish third.

“I just tried to keep him relaxed tonight,” said Macomber. “I did that because he can get really hot. I was pretty confident we were going to finish well around the final turn. He impressed me when I drove him for the first time last week.”

Lets Get Serious N returned $8.60, $5.00 and $3.80 for the victory. The son of Sondon has earned over $81,900 in his career. He is owned by Joseph Muscara of Huntingdon Valley, Pa. Virgil Morgan, Jr. trains the bay gelding.