Easter Indy scores repeat win in Downthedustyroad Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Easter Indy won the $100,000 Downthedustyroad Stakes for the second year in a row on Friday, when she stalked the pace, then rolled home by a length at Oaklawn Park. Lady Lake finished second, and it was a nose farther back to Nikki’s Rose in third.

The Downthedustyroad was for fillies and mares bred in Arkansas.

Easter Indy ($9.60) settled off the pace set by Nikki’s Rose, who took the field through an opening quarter in 22.35 seconds and a half-mile in 46.38. The winner overtook that one and went on to cover six furlongs on a track rated fast in 1:11.66.

Walter De La Cruz was aboard for co-owner and trainer Bill Martin.

Easter Indy was winning her second straight race at the meet, after taking the allowance prep for the Downthedustyroad on Feb. 5. She earned $60,000 for the win Friday to push her earnings to $282,440. Easter Indy has now won five of 15 starts. She is a daughter of A.P. Million. Easter Indy was bred by John and Libbie Thiel, who also co-own the 5-year-old mare with Martin.

I Be Jeannie B and Dutch Parrot were scratched from the Downthedustyroad.