Anderson, IN – Making her 2026 debut, Walkin On Sunshine kicked off her 6-year-old campaign with a bang, winning the $22,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace in 1:52.1 with John DeLong driving for Walter Haynes Jr. on Thursday (March 5) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
Starting from post 5, Walkin On Sunshine moved quickly from the gate and battled Yankee B Something (Marcus Miller) to her inside before clearing to cut the opening quarter in :26.4. Meanwhile, Goo Goo Won (Atlee Bender) pressed on from the outside and paced to the lead just after the quarter. She remained the leader down the backstretch to the halfway point in :54.4. Pacing toward the three-quarter pole in 1:24.4, Walkin On Sunshine tipped to the outside and pounced from the pocket to reclaim a narrow advantage.
Pacing down the stretch in :27.2, Walkin on Sunshine extended her lead by open lengths before coasting to the wire 1-1/4 lengths clear. DC Batgirl (Kyle Wilfong) blitzed along the outside gaining three positions from off cover to finish second, with Yankee B Something holding on for third.
Claiming her 28th lifetime win and improving her lifetime earnings to $607,112, Walkin On Sunshine is a daughter of Always A Virgin owned by Maynard Miller, Daniel Lehman, and Michael Yoder. Bred by Victory Hill Farm Inc., Walkin On Sunshine paid $3 to win.
Racing continues with a 5:30 p.m. (EDT) post time on Friday (March 6) at Hoosier Park with a 14-race card. On Friday, Hoosier Park welcomes Little Rocket Man as he seeks to reach $2 million in lifetime earnings in the Race 11 $22,000 Open 1 Pace, with Hall of Famer David Miller slated to drive the 10-year-old gelding.