by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Mystic Karissa and driver Sam Widger captured the opening round of the $30,000 Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies after staging a big rally in the final strides of the mile at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Tuesday (July 30).

The filly was able to overcome traffic trouble to score her eighth win of the season in a lifetime best 1:53.1. After two fifth place finishes in her most recent stakes outings, Mystic Karissa returned to previous form to take home top honors in the featured event of the evening.

Linscott Photography

Mystic Karissa was a 1:53.1 winner for driver Sam Widger.

As part of a four horse, Ron Burke-trained entry, Mystic Karissa was unhurried out of the gate from post six and settled along the rail a worrisome eighth. Always About Katey and Ed Hensley protected their rail position to get the first call through a brisk :26.3 opening panel.

Their lead was short-lived as Ricky Macomber, Jr. had Mandy’s Mattjesty out and firing from post eight. Always About Katey settled for a pocket trip while Mandy’s Mattjesty led the field through the half-mile mark in :55.1.

So Shay and Tyler Smith were the first to take aim at the leader as they were out and firing approaching the final turn with Hoosier Chinna and Trace Tetrick in tow. Mandy’s Mattjesty continued to call the shots through the three-quarter time in 1:24.2 as the rest of the field closed in.

Always About Katey tipped from the pocket to put a nose in front of the tiring leader but was no match for the cavalry charge that was about to ensue. Widger found late racing room in the stretch and just as he asked Mystic Karissa for more she responded with a :27.4 final quarter to best her rivals. Crazy On You and LeWayne Miller used the same off the pace tactics to get up for the second place finish while Always About Katey held on for third. Mandy’s Mattjesty, the recently crowned Indiana Sire Stakes champion, was used hard in the early stages and faded to eighth. Mystic Karissa returned $3.40 to her backers for the victory.

Sired by Always A Virgin, Mystic Karissa notched her eighth victory from 16 seasonal outings. Unraced at two, Mystic Karissa has now earned more than $70,000 for her connections of Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Frank Baldachino and Lawrence Karr.

Live racing resumes at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday (July 31) with two divisions of the Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts.