by Tammy Knox, director of race marketing affairs, Hoosier Park

Anderson, IN — Radar Contact and driver Dan Shetler will use one final race in preparation for next week’s $200,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final on Saturday (July 16). The 3-year-old filly is four for four in 2011 and is favored to move that streak to five in the ninth race this Saturday (July 9).

Linscott Photography

Radar Contact has banked $282,515 in her career, with nine wins in 16 starts.

Trained by Chuck Stillings, Radar Contact first came into the picture as a 2-year-old last season at Hoosier Park, winning a preliminary leg of the Sandra Lil series before finishing third in the $30,000 final. Her journey continued at Indiana Downs where she reeled off four more wins, including the final four races of the year that ended with the $200,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final for 2-year-old pacing fillies. Radar Contact polished off the year as the second highest 2-year-old filly in the state behind Dolly’s Joy in the point standings.

Radar Contact returned as a 3-year-old this season stronger than ever. She used two qualifiers at Spring Garden Ranch to prepare for the summer schedule in Indiana, winning the second one in a time of 1:53.4, setting an all-age track record at the training facility while accompanied by Stillings.

Radar Contact is now four for four in 2011 for owners Stillings and Dean Ehrgott. The Dontgetinmyway daughter has earnings in excess of $282,000 and is primed to add to that tally in Saturday night’s race. Radar Contact will start from post six in race nine as the early morning line favorite at odds of 2-1. Once again, the talented filly will be accompanied by Dan Shetler, who is undefeated behind the filly in eight career starts.

“She (Radar Contact) is a nice filly, that is for sure,” said Shetler. “It’s been a pleasure to drive her and she’s come back well this year.”

A half-sister to Sapphire Martini, Radar Contact was purchased by Stillings from the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale under the name of Topville Caviar for $10,000. Stillings, who has served as an air traffic controller at Indianapolis International Airport for more than two decades, trains out of the Indiana State Fairgrounds and has enjoyed success with several standouts from his barn over the past few years, including Post Mark, winner of more than $283,000 during her career.

Radar Contact will be one of the stars lined up for the July 16 finale on Hoosier Champions Night, featuring purse money in excess of $1.2 million. The night will include several additional promotions and giveaways from the Indiana Standardbred Association and the meet’s leading driver and trainer will be crowned. Post time for the 14-race event is set for 5:30 p.m. (EDT).