by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — While she may have played the bridesmaid in the first two starts of her 3-year-old campaign, Springhouse Waltz found the winner’s circle when it mattered most as she shined in the $20,000 Bill Thompson Series Final at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Tuesday (May 1).

The Rod Lorenzo trained entry finished first and second as Springhouse Waltz broke her maiden and handed her stand-out stablemate Royal Passion her first loss of 2012.

Linscott Photography

Springhouse Waltz was a 1:53.4 winner in the Bill Thompson Final.

Bittersweet Best and Peter Wrenn left alertly from post five as Live Wire Cindy came away second. Leaving from post nine, Trace Tetrick sent Royal Passion out for better position as they finally found racing room around the first turn along the rail in fourth. Springhouse Waltz and Sam Widger were next in fifth as they sat patiently through an opening panel of :27.

Wrenn and the 18-1 shot continued to lead the field of ten through a half of :56.3 as the fillies remained in single file alignment down the backside.

Tetrick tipped the bettor’s choice, Royal Passion, first-up heading into the final turn as she began her long journey to the front with stablemate Springhouse Waltz in tow. Royal Passion cleared to the front through a three-quarter clocking in 1:25.3, as the rest of the field began to take aim at the new leader.

Widger was able to steer Springhouse Waltz through traffic and the filly began to find her best strides late in the lane. Springhouse Waltz powered home in :27.3, as she drew away from the rest of the field to win in 1:53.4.

“She was a week or two behind the other ones we brought up,” Lorenzo said of his filly. “She has always been a nice filly who has showed speed but we didn’t want to rush her into anything so we took our time with her. She has progressed every week and showed a lot of life in her race last week.”

Lorenzo’s other filly, Royal Passion, held on gamely for second while Electric Tigress and driver Ricky Macomber, Jr. rallied for the show.

“I didn’t know how the race was going to play out,” Lorenzo said of the race. “Obviously the other filly (Royal Passion) is a nice filly too but she’s had five tough weeks of racing. That is asking a lot of a filly that didn’t race much last year; the nine hole didn’t really help her either. She had a tough trip tonight and she raced tough, she’s a really nice filly too.”

Springhouse Waltz, who finished second in both preliminary legs of the series, paid $2.20 to win. The 3-year-old daughter of Royal Art-Keltic Dancer has now banked $14,500 this season in three pari-mutuel starts. Lifetime, she boasts a 1-2-0 record in five career starts.

With her first win on the year in the books, Lorenzo said he will most likely hold her up for the Indiana Sire Stakes action for 3-year-old pacing fillies at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino later in May.