from Indiana Downs

Shelbyville, IN — Indiana Downs played host to the first round of Indiana Sires Stakes action for sophomore pacing fillies on Tuesday (July 26) with two divisions going to the post. Heavily favored Radar Contact and Ashleysnflight, winner and runner-up in the $200,000 ISS final held earlier this month, won their respective divisions with ease.

Radar Contact kept her sophomore campaign flawless with a 1:54 performance in the $40,000 first division. Guided by Dan Shetler from the outside post position, the Dontgetinmyway filly took command after second-choice Dollys Joy and Sam Widger led the field to a :27.3 opening quarter. On the front, Radar Contact clicked off fractions of :57.3 and 1:27.1 before pacing home in :26.4 to win by nearly two lengths. Dollys Joy followed, with Endeavor’s Glory and Trace Tetrick rounding out the trifecta.

Trained by Charles Stillings, who co-owns the filly with Dean Ehrgott, Radar Contact is now seven-for-seven in 2011. The filly has won 11 straight starts for her connections, dating back to September 20, 2010. The victory pushed her career earnings over the $400,000 plateau.

Ashleysnflight and Peter Wrenn moved to the lead after the quarter and never looked back in the $45,600 second division, beating 11 other rivals by 3-1/4 lengths in a time of 1:52.4.

Leaving third from post six, Wrenn and the Panspacificflight filly circled early leader Yankee’s Glowing and Will Panout after a :27.1 first panel. Reaching the half in :55.3 and three quarters in 1:24.2, the tandem cruised home with a :28.2 last quarter. Will Panout, driven by Josh Sutton, crossed the wire second, with 28-1 MJ’s Last Dance and Ross Leonard finishing third.

Ashleysnflight is trained by Phillip James, who owns the filly in partnership with breeder David Isaacs and Charles Isaacs. The victory was her third of the season, and the winning time established a new mark for the sophomore. She has earned $116,426 this season.

Favored Surclasser and Ricky Macomber, Jr. won the $22,000 Invitational Trot Tuesday evening with a 1:54.3 performance. The Jailhouse Jesse 4-year-old finished two lengths in front of ABC Mercedes and trainer Joe Putnam, with Speed N The Tunnel and Sam Widger racing third.

Surclasser is owned by Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. The victory was the seventh in 23 starts this season for the trotter.