by Tammy Knox, publicity director, Hoosier Park

Summer In Fiji, with Ricky Macomber Jr. in the sulky, cruised to victory Friday, May 11 in leg two of the Indiana Sires Stakes. The pair pulled three-wide down the backstretch and did not look back, pacing the mile in a career best 1:52.2. Wannahuckaloogi and Mark O’Mara finished four lengths back in second.

Hoosier Park photo

Summer In Fiji cruised to victory Friday night in Indiana Sires Stakes action.

The heavily-favored pair of Summer In Fiji and Macomber got away in the middle of the pack, and away from the quick opening fractions. Wannahuckaloogi and O’Mara posted a dangerously fast first-quarter mile time of :26.4. Postmark, with Joe Putnam, were shuffled away in eighth.

“We were pushing for the front but they were going quick,” said Macomber. “Everything worked out. I just had to keep her attention in the stretch, but she had plenty left in the tank.”

Wannahuckaloogi and O’Mara continued their frantic pace, posting fractions of :56.0, and 1:25.0 at the half and three-quarter mile markers. Summer In Fiji pulled three-wide deep down the backstretch, showing superb acceleration. Postmark and Putnam joined the outer flow and sat sixth midway through the final turn.

Summer In Fiji and Macomber Jr. cleared for the lead at the top of the stretch, with Wannahuckaloogi and O’Mara relegated to second. The daughter of Whitefish Falls used a :27.1 closing kick to expand upon her lead down the stretch. Postmark and Putnam closed well to finish third.

“The horse in front of us was parked so I had to stretch three-wide,” added Macomber. “She straightened up in the stretch well.”

The Mickey Burke-trained Summer In Fiji returned $2.40, $2.10, and $2.10. Frank Baldachino of Clarksburg NJ owns the talented 3-year-old filly. In 10 career starts, she has seven wins, including greater than $80,000 in earnings.