Pair of veterans capture features at Hoosier Park

Anderson, IN — The multiple stakes winning Allthatgltrsisgold is well on his way to another stellar season, making his first start a winning one in the $24,000 Open Pace at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday.

Linscott Photography

Allthatgltrsisgold was a narrow winner in the Open Pace.

Allthatgltrsisgold and driver Dave Magee stopped the clock in a blistering 1:51.1, marking the fastest trip around Hoosier Park’s oval thus far in the 2012 Standardbred meet.

Driver Ron Wrenn, Jr. and Justacowboy maintained their rail position as they led the field of seven through opening splits of :26.1 and :54.4. Willy Mucha and driver Ed Hensley benefited from a pocket trip as Allthatgltrsisgold and Dave Magee sat patiently third along the rail.

The field remained in single file until just before the three-quarter mark. The slight betting favorite Freddyscooter and driver Trace Tetrick sat mid-pack for much of the mile while most of the damage was being done on the front. With the three-quarters clocked in 1:23.4, the field began to shift. Freddyscooter reached the leader’s wheel as Magee positioned Allthatgltrsisgold for the long stretch drive.

Pacing his last quarter in :27, the 5-year-old horse won by a quarter of a length over Freddyscooter who was a game second. Willy Mucha held on toughly for a third place finish as Peter Wrenn got Dont Say Goodby home fourth.

Allthatgltrsisgold has now bankrolled more than $660,000 for his connections, Dr. Jeff and Dr. Maria King’s Victory Hill Farm. Trained by Bobby Brower, the son of Cam’s Card Shark is a frequent visitor to Hoosier Park’s winner circle as he won four Open class races in only six starts here in 2011.

ABC Mercedes proved once again that he may be getting better with age. The 7-year-old gelding cruised to his second victory of the year in the $24,000 Open Trot.

Reaching the wire in 1:55.4, the heavy betting favorite looked as though he has never missed a beat. ABC Mercedes is now two for two in 2012 after a win in the Open Trot here last week.

Leaving from the assigned post nine, ABC Mercedes left hard from the outside to reach the front just past the quarter mark in :27.4. Driver Joe Putnam looked to be on cruise control as the pair were never contested through fractions of :58.1 and 1:27.4. The graceful gelding kicked it into high gear, leading the field of nine down the lane as he trotted home in :28. Proud Yankee and Sam Widger finished a close second as Walltocousins and driver Tyler Smith rounded out the trifecta to finish third.

The three-time Indiana Trotter of the Year is owned by Larry Miller and trained by Joe Putnam. ABC Mercedes is closing in on millionaire status as he has now bankrolled more than $880,000 throughout his illustrious seven-year career. His quickest mile to date continues to be his 1:53.1 win as a 3-year-old at The Red Mile.

— Emily Gaskin

The Meadows
His six-race winning skein a memory, Winning Mister took the first step to a new streak Wednesday at The Meadows with a facile victory in the $22,500 Preferred Handicap Trot. Winning Mister was undefeated this season before encountering 2011 Horse of the Year San Pail in the Glorys Comet at Woodbine. Winning Mister broke stride at the gate in that contest, which San Pail won. On Wednesday, he flashed his usual form by grabbing the lead from post eight and rolling to victory for Dave Palone in 1:54.3, 2-1/4 lengths better than the pocket-sitting Rembrandt Spur. TSM Photo Bugger was third. Rich Gillock trains Winning Mister, a 6-year-old son of Angus Hall-Winning Missbrenda who now has banked $878,294, for owner/breeder Bob Key. Eric Ledford and Palone each drove four winners on the 15-race card while Jason Robinson enjoyed a training triple.