by Katie Dukes, Hoosier Park publicity department

Anderson, IN — It looks like Sam Widger has brought some of his luck from the Chicago circuit to Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Widger, who was the leading driver at Balmoral Park before relocating to Indiana for the start of the 2011 Standardbred season, pulled in five wins on the Tuesday (April 12) program. Coming back for his third Standardbred meet at Hoosier Park, Widger is enjoying himself so far, and looking forward to a good year.

Widger was right out of the gate, winning the first race of the night behind trainer Ryan Bellamy’s Lotta Lightning. Widger connected again in the third behind Delightful Five and Most Remarkable in the fourth race. Widger’s next win came in the 11th race with Straight Dancer followed by his regular seat behind Speed N The Tunnel in the night’s 12th race co-feature.

Linscott Photography

Speed N The Tunnel was a 1:56.3 winner in the $24,000 Invitational Trot.

Widger cleared to the lead just after the quarter-mile marker in the $24,000 Invitational Trot, keeping Speed N The Tunnel focused through the remainder of the race on the front end. In the stretch, the one-eyed trotting mare held off a late charge by longshot Ripken’s Red and Dan Shetler to win their second straight in the event, crossing the wire in 1:56.3. Master Solutions and Ricky Macomber, Jr. finished third. The win marked Widger’s fifth trip to the winner’s circle during the 13-race card.

“Coming back to the track, after having two days off (during the dark days), I felt good,” said Widger. “I came out with a good, fresh, positive mental attitude, and I had a good feeling that it was going to be a good night.”

Keeping busy with racing is just how Widger likes it. When not racing, Widger will talk and catch up with the other drivers, but won’t spend too much time thinking about the next race. Widger prefers to be out spinning the wheels of his bike on the track as much as he can rather than sitting back in the paddock. He competed in 12 of the 13 races on the Tuesday card.

Widger lives in Illinois with his family where he also enjoys racing at Balmoral. He has added Hoosier Park to his schedule in the spring. Coming from a personal stance, Widger doesn’t like to leave his family and finds it hard being away from home for periods of time, but from a business standpoint, he is here to race and capture as many wins as possible.

“I really enjoy being here,” said Widger. “It’s a good place to race. The people are nice and the facilities are great.”

Before each race, you won’t find Widger prepping and looking over the program. When asked how he prepares before each race, he gave a brief rundown about his preparation.

“I don’t really get ‘in the zone’ before the races until I’m on the bike,” said Widger. “And then, I am just ready to go. I don’t feel much pressure and I don’t really think about the races. I just take them as they happen.”