by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Mike Micallef notched the 2,000th win of his career as he piloted Harmony Oaks Quike to victory in the opening $30,000 division of the Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday (June 27).

The 1:54.2 victory marked a career milestone for the veteran driver and the second win of season for the daughter of Make It Brief.

Linscott Photography

Mike Micallef notched the 2,000th win of his career behind Harmony Oaks Quike.

Leaving from post five as part of a two-horse Ron Burke trained entry, Harmony Oaks Quike was away a worrisome sixth. None Of You and Tyler Smith left the gate alertly and reached the front through the opening panel of :27.

Mystic Karissa, the second half of the Burke entry, had to work for position as she was hustled to the front by Ricky Macomber, Jr. through the half-mile marker in :55.

LeWayne Miller had Maddy’s Fantasy out and firing just past the half and reached the front approaching the final turn. Reaching the three-quarter mark in 1:24.3, Maddy’s Fantasy began to tire on the front as the rest of the field closed in.

Mystic Karissa was the first to collar the leader as her stablemate loomed large in the background. Using a :29.4 closing panel, Harmony Oaks Quike staged a big rally late in the lane to finish seventh lengths to the good. None Of You used a ground saving trip to finish second while Dirt Diamond and Sam Widger paced evenly to round out the trifecta.

Heavily backed at the windows, Harmony Oaks Quike returned $2.60 to her backers.

Owned by Upland Farm, Harmony Oaks Quike recorded her seventh win from 24 lifetime starts while amassing more than $30,000 in purse earnings throughout her career.

“It was really nice to win this race tonight,” Micallef noted. “She’s a really nice filly who has been racing tough and it is always nice to win one for the leading outfit here at Hoosier Park. I’m also glad that my friends and family could be here to help celebrate this win.”

Micallef is a career winner of more than $11 million in the race bike. Originally from Dearborn Heights, Michigan, Micallef has raced in his home state, as well as Ontario, Florida and New York prior to his first successful campaign in Indiana. From 81 driving starts, the veteran reignsman has piloted ten winners for more than $85,000 in purses through the first three months of live racing at Hoosier Park.

Hoosier Park’s vice president and general manager of racing, Rick Moore, along with Micallef’s friends and family were in the winner’s circle to congratulate and acknowledge his accomplishment.

“On behalf of Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, I’d like to congratulate Mike on such an accomplishment,” Moore noted. “We are thrilled Mike has joined the driving colony here at Hoosier Park and proud to help him celebrate win number 2,000. We wish Mike continued success for the remainder of this season and throughout his entire career. We look forward to seeing him in the winner’s circle again for win number 3,000.”

Live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will follow a Tuesday-Saturday schedule with a daily post time of 5:30 p.m. The 160-day, all-harness racing meet will be conducted through Nov. 9.