by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Paver Jack used a strong stretch rally to pull the 28-1 upset in the featured event of the evening, the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino on Saturday (July 9.) Skillfully driven by Tyler Smith, Paver Jack avoided an early speed dual to score in 1:51, recording a new lifetime mark by nearly four seconds.

Linscott Photography

Paver Jack gets his nose down when it counts to prevail in the $75,000 Indiana Sire Stakes final lowering his lifetime mark by nearly four seconds.

Mike Peterson sent Matrix Of Luck away from the gate firing as they grabbed the early lead through an opening quarter in :26.1 with Paver Jack leaving just enough to grab a pocket seat. Ville Valo and Ricky Macomber Jr. were next in third but quickly made a move to the front. Ville Valo reached the lead at the half in :54.4 and was quickly joined on the outside by Downthehighwy and Jason Dillander who were heading the first-over attack. The heavy betting favorite, Bourbon Chase and Dan Shetler, were well placed second-over at the three-quarter clocking in 1:23.3.

Ville Valo continued to call the shots as the field turned for home but there was a cavalry charge behind him. Ville Valo was able to put away Downthehighwy but Paver Jack and a host of others were looming large in the background. Bourbon Chase tipped off cover just as Duel of Truth and John DeLong found late racing room up the passing lane. Smith also found late racing room and Paver Jack used a :26.4 final quarter to prevail in a tight photo. Bourbon Chase rallied nicely to finish second while Duel of Truth rounded out the trifecta. As the fourth longest shot on the board, Paver Jack returned $59.00 for the victory.

“I knew I didn’t want to get in too much of an early speed battle,” Smith noted in the winner’s circle. “After driving him last week, I knew this was a really nice colt. I didn’t know if I had enough to hold off the horses on the outside but he raced really well tonight. He’s a nice colt and Tyler (George) has got him really sharp right now.”

Trained by Tyler George, Paver Jack notched the third win of the season from 14 starts while bankrolling $72,597 in 2016. Owned and bred by Leroy Slabaugh, the son of Panspacificflight-Not Home Yet has now won four of 20 lifetime outings.

With the win, Paver Jack also earned points for the $200,000 Indiana Sires Stakes Super finals slated for October 15 at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino. The Indiana Sires Stakes program will culminate with the top ten point earners from the previous $75,000 finals in each division returning to compete in the super finals.

Live racing action returns to Hoosier Park Racing and Casino on Tuesday (July 12) with a 14-race card. With a daily post time of 5:45 p.m., live racing at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule and be conducted through November 12.