by Brad Meadows and Ryan Hubbard, Hoosier Park publicity department

Anderson, IN — Blueridge Hush was not quiet at all as won his first leg division of the Ralph and Dorothy Rose Series on Sunday, April 15, at Hoosier Park.

Terri Kelley photo

Blueridge Hush was a 2:01.1 winner for Don Irvine, Jr.

With driver Don Irvine, Jr. in the sulky, the victory gave Blueridge Hush his first trip to the winner’s circle this season. The final time of 2:01.1 eclipsed his lifetime mark by two-fifths of a second.

Heavy favorite Dr Potts and driver Ricky Macomber, Jr. broke before the start of the mile, which made the race wide-open. From the outside in post position eight, Blueridge Hush traveled into the fourth spot around the clubhouse turn. The field quickly opened up the first quarter in :27.4.

“The break by Dr Potts didn’t really change our strategy,” said Irvine. “Dr Potts is a top horse. I just wanted to float my horse (Blueridge Hush) out into the third or fourth position at the beginning of the race.”

Blueridge Hush made up more than seven lengths down the backstretch to battle for the front. Making a bid for the lead from the outside in third, Irvine patiently let him take off after the third panel in 1:31.

The move was all Blueridge Hush needed to do as he coasted to victory by 3-1/4 lengths. HSR Lady Star and driver Mike Peterson rallied home to finish second. Sweet Joy and driver Charlie Conrad bounced back to take third.

“I never asked him to do much at the top of the lane,” said Irvine. “You really want to let horses race when they are green like he is. I qualified him once a couple of weeks ago.”

Blueridge Hush returned $7.40, $4.20, $3.60 as the second choice. The Indiana-sired bay gelding is owned and trained by Indianapolis, Ind. resident Bobby Brower. The product of Keep It A Secret is three for 10 in his career, earning over $13,500.

Hoosier Cadillac, with Jay Cross in the sulky, pulled away down the stretch to win his first leg split of the Ralph and Dorothy Rose Series.

The pair made a move on the outside approaching the half and did not look back. Hoosier Cadillac and Cross finished the mile in 1:59.3, 7-1/2 lengths ahead of the second place finishers, JW Singletree and Don Irvine, Jr. Finishing the race in third were Secret Tillie and Don Eash.

“I wasn’t looking for the front,” said Cross. “I wanted cover, and the seven horse (Super Discipline) was a good horse to let go.”

The first to take the lead was Super Discipline and Doug Rideout with Hoosier Cadillac and Cross finding good position just behind the leaders. Super Discipline corralled the field of eight trotters in :27.2 for a brisk opening quarter.

Hoosier Cadillac had a favorable trip in his first start of the 2007 season. The lightly raced 5-year-old gelding was making just his seventh career start. Picking up driver Jay Cross, the pair slid to the outside just prior to reaching the half to take command of the field.

“Preferably I wanted to hold on to the cover longer,” added Cross. “It was a good time to go though, because he was ready. I didn’t want to get parked if I waited too long.”

Coming out of the final turn, Hoosier Cadillac demonstrated why the bettors tabbed him as the race favorite. The pair of Hoosier Cadillac and Cross completed the final quarter in :28.2, three-fifths of a second faster than the next fastest closing time. The win is the first of the season for Hoosier Cadillac.

“He was good and strong at the wire,” said Cross. “I was real happy with the way he raced.”

Hoosier Cadillac ($2.60, $2.20, $2.10) is a 5-year-old son of Ripken’s Victory. Mel Gilbert owns and trains. The victory for Hoosier Cadillac is his fifth in seven career trips. His lifetime earnings are now over $10,000.

Macomber Jr. named Applebee’s Driver of the Week

Ricky Macomber, Jr. was named Applebee’s Driver of the Week on Saturday, April 14. He is the first driver to be honored with the award this season. In addition to his photo being displayed on the lower level of the grandstand, Macomber will be presented with a $20 gift certificate to Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill, located on 53rd Street in Anderson, Ind.

Terri Kelley photo

Ricky Macomber, Jr. was named Driver of the Week.

“It’s been a good week,” said Macomber. “I hope to keep it going. All of my trainers have done a great job getting the horses ready.”

Macomber has consistently placed at the top of the board this season. In each of the first six nights of racing he has registered a minimum of two victories. On opening night, he earned a win for trainer John Merkel with Calyvona Bluegrass in the season’s first race. Macomber went on to earn three more victories that evening, setting a meet record for wins in one night with four.

Macomber won back-to-back races in the second live racing night in races 12 and 13. The first victory, trained by his father, Dick, was with 4-year-old gelding Bagel Man. The following race Macomber earned a win in the sulky with Dream Proof for the Virgil Morgan, Jr. Stable.

The first full week of live racing at Hoosier Park was another opportunity for Macomber to increase his win total. He did so quickly, earning his seventh seasonal victory in the first race with 3-year-old filly Osacanuc Bluegrass. He finished the evening with a driving triple after wins with Tom Edison and Otto Lotto in the sixth and tenth races, respectively.

The hot streak for Macomber carried over into Thursday. He picked up winners in the evening’s first two races. The first was with Roknrol Bluegrass and the second was with Francie’s Dream. Macomber picked up another victory in the evening’s 12th race, for a total of three on the evening. On Friday, he earned another driving triple, earning wins in the fifth, eighth, and ninth races.

“I think I have a shot to win the title this year,” added Macomber. “There are a lot of good drivers this year so it will be hard.”

In the final race card of the week, Macomber earned two more victories at the helm, giving him a total of 17 on the season. The wins came with Actionuke and Real Pro K in the seventh and 12th races, respectively. In addition to the two victories, Macomber registered seven second place finishes on the night.

Macomber is currently the leading driver at Hoosier Park.