Hoosier Park: Miss Chatty Cat out to make it 2 for 2

A pair of Indiana-sired 2-year-old stakes begin Hoosier Park's richest weekend of racing Friday night. The Indiana Stallion for fillies and Crown Ambassador for colts and geldings will both be contested going six furlongs and each will have a purse of $84,000.

Miss Chatty Cat will be looking for her second win in as many outings when she faces eight other fillies in the Indiana Stallion. In her maiden debut Aug. 22 locally, Miss Chatty Cat was very impressive, winning the 5 1/2-furlong statebred event by 11 1/2 lengths. She was eighth early before rallying on the turn and taking command in the stretch. The added half-furlong should not be a problem, because the chart comment of "ridden out" in her debut implies there was plenty of fuel left in the tank. Orlando Mojica retains the mount for trainer Gary Patrick.

Higher Logic will also be looking for her second win in as many starts in the Indiana Stallion. In her maiden debut locally Sept. 13, the Antonio Duran trainee bested a field of statebred fillies by 14 lengths, coming from just off the pace. Higher Logic signaled her readiness with a bullet work Sept. 25 locally. Irwin Rosendo retains the mount.

The others in the field are Esperame, Flybynight Verdict, Hot Wind, Tax Breaker, Austin's Senorita, Ride Em Renee, and C J's Sunrise.

Hunk a Pie will try to make it two in a row when heading a full field of 12 in the Crown Ambassador. Trained by Merrill Roberts, Hunk a Pie just missed in his maiden debut Aug. 23 going 5 1/2 furlongs. In that statebred maiden event he led to late stretch but was run down by Dread the Pirate and was beaten a half-length. In his last out Sept. 19, Hunk a Pie won a statebred maiden event going six furlongs and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 50, the highest in the field. Carol Cedeno will ride once again.

Short Round finished second to Hunk a Pie in his last out, getting beat a neck after trouble at the start. Short Round will be coupled with Painted Valley, as both are owned and trained by Gary Patrick. Painted Valley won in his third attempt, which came in his last out Sept. 25. In that statebred optional maiden claiming event, Painted Valley won by nearly nine lengths going six furlongs. Others in the field are Good Grief, Citi Rush, KIllenaule Greene, Clyde Park, Erin's Charge, Dread The Pirate, Joint Tenant, Seal Beach, and Needmore Cash. Two horses, Kee Kee Beach and Ron Called are on the also-eligible list.