by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Royal Passion continued her undefeated streak as she captured a division of Tuesday’s (April 17) Bill Thompson Series, a late closing event open to Indiana sired 3-year-old and older fillies and mares that were non-winners of $30,000 lifetime, at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. The 3-year-old filly is now four-for-four in 2012 as she equaled her career best time of 1:56.

Linscott Photography

Royal Passion is unbeaten in four starts this year.

Leaving from post seven, Trace Tetrick had no hesitation as he sent the heavy betting favorite to the front in an opening quarter of :27.1. Don Eash and E R Sister benefited from a pocket trip as the public’s second choice, while Reaching Chip and driver Jason Dillander were third.

Dillander made his bid for the lead down the backside as he cleared to the front reaching the half in :57.1. Josh Sutton and Jiffy’s Flight were the first to move as Sutton had the Panspacificflight filly first up heading into the final turn. Jiffy’s Flight was able to get an early advantage on the field of nine as she made her first up bid to clear around the final turn.

Tetrick found himself locked in behind the early race leader with no racing room, but Royal Passion was able to overcome the traffic problems to wear down Jiffy’s Flight to win by two lengths. Jiffy’s Flight finished second as E R Sister and Don Eash closed quickly from the back of the field to finish third.

“She really surprised me tonight,” trainer Rod Lorenzo noted. “She keeps getting better with every start. We wanted to try racing her off the helmet tonight and it didn’t look like that was going to happen. It worked out for us and she fired even more on the end of it. I was really happy with her tonight.”

Lorenzo, who trained the filly last year, said she was sick for a majority of her 2-year-old season and suggested turning her out to let her mature. As it turns out, that decision was the right one as the Royal Art-Nukalar Passion filly is flawless in 2012. Royal Passion has bankrolled more than $23,000 in her limited outings for her connections, Dobbins Standardbreds Inc.

Jodi Girl was victorious in the other $15,000 opening leg of the series with driver Sam Widger in her 3-year-old debut. It was an uncovered move for Jodi Girl as she was able to wear down Bittersweet Best and Peter Wrenn in late stretch to best her rivals in 1:56.4. Electric Tigress and Ricky Macomber, Jr. held on for a third place finish.

Sired by I Scoot Hanover, Jodi Girl is owned by Timothy Hawkins and trained by Mark Gillenwater.

Sam Widger had four wins on the night’s card as he steered Best Things R Free, Sharpshootennorris and JW Singletree to the winner’s circle as well. Widger is second in the drivers’ standings through the first few weeks of racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.