by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Sand Royal Blu, with Tyler Smith at the lines, stormed home a winner and not only pulled off a 33-1 upset in the featured event on the evening but lowered the track record in the process at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday (June 6).

With a final time of 1:55.3, Sand Royal Blu took advantage of a perfect second over trip to win the second round of the $30,000 Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts, in a lifetime best effort.

Linscott Photography

Sand Royal Blu acored in 1:55.3 for driver Tyler Smith.

Sand Royal Blu made amends for a costly break in the opening round of the Indiana Gold Sire Stakes action as he scored his second win of the season for trainer Tye Loy. The victory also marked Tyler Smith’s fourth trip to the Hoosier Park winner’s circle on the evening.

Leaving from post seven, Smith sent the 3-year-old colt away from the gate just enough to secure a position along the rail in fourth. As the heavy betting favorite, Super Rock and Charlie Conrad left alertly to secure their rail position but it was Just A Steady Hall and Ricky Macomber, Jr. who would grab the lead through the opening panel in :27.3. Super Rock yielded for the pocket trip while Boy Meets Girl K and Sam Widger followed intently in third.

Just A Steady Hall slowed the tempo down the backside and with a half in :59, Boy Meets Girl K was out and taking aim at the leader. Smith gave Sand Royal Blu the green light and was well placed second-over.

Boy Meets Girl K was able to wear down Just A Steady Hall to put a nose in front through the three-quarter panel in 1:28.1 while Sand Royal Blu loomed large in the background. Super Rock found late racing room up the rail but was unable to hold off a hard charging Sand Royal Blu.

With a final quarter in :27.1, Sand Royal Blu put a nose in front to get the win. Super Rock finished second while Boy Meets Girl K battled gamely to finish third. Dismissed at 33-1, Sand Royal Blu returned $68.00 for the victory.

Sand Royal Blu lifted his career bankroll to $146,180 with the win. The son of Jailhouse Jesse banked more than $125,000 while winning three of eight starts in 2012. Owned and bred by Bill Sanders, Sand Royal Blu lowered a Hoosier Park track record that stood for 13 years. The previous track record for 3-year-old trotting colts was 1:55.4, a record established by Band’s Gold Chip and trainer/driver Chris Boring in 2000.

Sand Royal Blu’s track record breaking performance marks the second track record lowered at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino this week and the third track record broken this season. Jesse Lane and driver Mark O’Mara broke the track record for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Wednesday with a 1:55.3 win in the Indiana Gold Sire Stakes action. Benny Christensen and Don Giovanni established a new track record of 1:54 for older horses on the trot in the $24,000 Invitational on May 4.

The Indiana Gold Sire Stakes action will continue at Hoosier Park on Friday (June 7) as one division of 3-year-old pacing fillies will go postward for $30,000. The two-time Indiana Sire Stakes 2-year-old pacing filly champion, Always About Katey, will start from post two in the 11-horse field that is slated as the 12th race on the 13-race card. The 3-year-old pacing colts will follow suit on Saturday (June 8) as two divisions will highlight the Hoosier Park card.