by Alicia Hanger and Tom Reading

EJ’s Copperstone and Don Irvine Jr. had a blowout victory in the first leg of the 3-year-old fillies Indiana Sires Stakes at Hoosier Park Friday, April 25, 2008. The Indiana-bred pacer crossed the line in 1:55.3 to earn the $12,000 purse.

Hoosier Park photo

EJ’s Copperstone and Don Irvine Jr. swept to victory in the first leg of the 3-year-old fillies Indiana Sires Stakes.

Electric’s Winner and driver Ricky Macomber Jr. had an early 2-1/2 length lead at the quarter-mile marker in :28.1. Heading toward the half-way point, EJ’s Copperstone came sweeping from fifth to take the lead.

Nothing could stop EJ’s Copperstone after that. She kept going into the wind down the stretch without looking back with a lead of 6-1/4 lengths at the line. Our Dear Nicole, controlled by Don Eash, and Lightning Lil, with driver Brad Hanners, rounded out the top three.

“I used the wind to push her (EJ’s Copperstone) on the backside and not use energy,” Irvine Jr. said. “I had a good hold on her and knew I could control the race from the half-way mark.”

Despite the heavy wind, which can take precious seconds off the time, Don Irvine Jr. led EJ’s Copperstone to a victory on her first start back this year. Owned by L.J. Stone and Philip Hawk of Gaston and trained by Steve Gray, EJ’s Copperstone returned $3.40, $2.80, and $2.10. The daughter of Lease On Life earned seven wins in nine outings last year at two and more than $100,000 in earnings. Her best time was taken at Indiana Downs in 1:53.2.

Mattnamaras Queen Picks Up Sires Stakes Win

Mattnamaras Queen and driver Jason Dillander overcame the harsh wind to win the first leg of the 3-year-old fillies Indiana Sires Stakes at Hoosier Park Friday, April 25, 2008. Mattnamaras Queen beat out the field of five pacers in 1:58.3 for the $12,000 purse.

The race started out five across until No Request and Trace Tetrick stepped it up and with the help of the wind, eased into the lead. Coming by the half-way mark in :57.3, No Request went off-stride and moved to the outside, allowing I Think Im Dreamin and driver Don Eash to take over the lead.

Mattnamaras Queen came up fast on the outside to pass, followed by Alexabeth and Ricky Macomber Jr. The two battled it out against each other and the wind in the stretch with Mattnamaras Queen and Dillander edging out the duo for the victory by three-quarters of a length. I Think Im Dreamin finished third.

“We had a big head wind against us,” driver Jason Dillander said, “But, we had a pretty good lead and the others left had gone off-stride, so I knew I had a leg up on them.”

This marks the first win of the season for Mattnamaras Queen, who is owned and trained by Stanley Miller of Etna Green, Ind. The second leg of the Indiana Sires Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, May 10. The $100,000-est. final will be contested Saturday, June 28 during Hoosier Cup Night, which features purses in excess of $1 million.

Early Move Earns Real Velocity the Win

Hoosier Park photo

Real Velocity, driven by Jason Dillander, picked up a victory in the Fillies and Mares Invitational.

A move on the outside at the half-way mark helped Real Velocity, driven by Jason Dillander, pick up the victory in the Fillies and Mares Invitational, Friday April 25 at Hoosier Park.

Me and My Baby, controlled by Brooke Nickells, took the early lead with Glory G, managed by Trace Tetrick, and Real Velocity close behind. At the quarter-mile mark in :26.4, Real Velocity and Glory G were still pursuing the leader, Me and My Baby.

Approaching the half in a time of :54.1, Real Velocity made a move on the outside to take the lead from Me and My Baby. At the three-quarter mile mark, Real Velocity was still the leader, with Glory G, making a move on the outside.

Down the stretch Real Velocity was able to take sole control of first place to earn the $23,000 purse along with victory in a time of 1:52.3 by 2-1/2 lengths. Me and My Baby and Francie’s Dream finished second and third, respectively. Dillander earned his third win of the evening and completed the night with four wins on the program.

Real Velocity, owned by TKO Racing Stable, of Greenfield, Ind. and trained by Trent Stohler, has earned over $290,000 in her lifetime, along with four, first place finishes in seven attempts this year. The daughter of Real Artist had three previous wins in series action at The Meadowlands earlier this year.

Real Velocity is also the product of the standout pacing mare, Extreme Velocity, who earned more than $850,000 during her career and a win in the $280,000 Breeders’ Crown in 1997. The Stohler family of Markleville still owns the star race mare and continues to raise foals with her each year. Real Velocity is one of four foals from Extreme Velocity and one of three of racing age, including a 2-year-old in 2008.