by Kim French, USTA Internet News Editor

Indianapolis, IN — On a warm, sunny Wednesday evening (Aug. 9) at the Indiana State Fair, Rockin Rusty established a new lifetime mark of 1:52 and provided his driver, Trace Tetrick, with his fourth win of the night in the 91st edition of the $51,929 Fox Stake for freshman pacing colts.

The exciting 12-race card stacked with Grand Circuit action also included four divisions of the Horseman Stake, one of which was recently named in iconic Hoosier State horseman Larry Rheinheimer’s honor, and the $32,580 Ralph Wilfong Memorial Trot for 2-year-old colts.

Rockin Rusty survived pressure from GD Western Joe to score the victory in the Fox Stake by a half-length.

Leaving from post position three in the field of seven, Rockin Rusty and Tetrick were content to settle in sixth position in the early stages of the contest. After reaching the half-mile marker in fifth position, Tetrick decided it was time to ask the son of Rockin Image-Yankee Ashley for a bit of speed. The gelding, who is conditioned by Erv Miller and co-owned by him and Anthony Lombardi, responded with a bid that saw him surge to within 1-1/2 lengths of the leader, Shnitzledosomethin, at the three-quarter pole.

Despite logging a final quarter panel in a swift :26.4, Rockin Rusty survived pressure from GD Western Joe and Ricky Macomber Jr. to score the victory by a half-length. GD Western Joe, trained by Ron Burke, was second and the previously undefeated Indiana Sire Stakes champion Shnitzledosomethin, came home third.

With this win, Rockin Rusty boosted his bankroll to $56,064 and his resume to 6-3-1-0. It is the second win from his last two trips to the post and the gelding has been a very consistent competitor in the Indiana Sire Stakes program with a fourth in the $80,000 final on July 14 in addition to a fourth and second in two eliminations.

Instituted by Frank P. Fox, a lifelong Hoosier resident and passionate horseman, this event was the first in the history of the sport as Fox was of the mindset there were not enough options to showcase this age group. Although many similar stakes now exist to fill what Fox considered to be a shortage, at its zenith, this race was one of the most prestigious contests for 2-year-old male pacers and carried as much significance as the Hambletonian.

Horsemen from all over North America frequently transported their best stock to Indianapolis to compete in the Grand Circuit events contested at the fairgrounds and Wednesday evening was no exception, as some of the nation’s top trainers and drivers were present.

Satorus Productions Photography photos

The Ralph Wilfong Memorial Trot was captured by Shoshie Deo in 1:58.

In addition to the four divisions of the Horseman Stake, the Ralph Wilfong Memorial Trot attracted plenty of attention just prior to the Fox Stake. This year’s edition was captured by Shoshie Deo in 1:58. It was the son of Wishing Stone-Fortune Dream’s maiden-breaking victory from four attempts.

Trained and steered by Dewayne Minor, the 2-year-old colt, owned by Annemette Minor was second in all three of his appearances in New Jersey Sire Stakes company. On this occasion, Shoshie Deo led the field of 10 from wire-to-wire and held Max Volo at bay by 4-1/4 lengths. Doc Mossies Legacy was third.

Shoshie Deo has now amassed $51,290 in purse money in his young career.

The four divisions of the Horseman Stake yielded a new track record for Meadowbrook Tiger of 1:50.1 for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings; an emotional triumph for Jamie and Ricky Macomber with Carol’s Z Tam in the division honoring Rheinheimer for 3-year-old filly pacers; and placed Indiana champion Satin Dancer, as well as Swan Chase, over the $100,000 mark earned in 2017.

Tetrick’s other three winning drives were behind Meadowbrook Tiger, Rockin Kylie and Olivia Marie.

For full race results from the evening, please click here.