Harrah's Hoosier Park: JK First Lady tops Takter-trained exacta in USS Indianapolis Memorial

JK First Lady got the better of stablemate and Breeders Crown champion Peaky Sneaky in the $100,000 U.S.S. Indianapolis Memorial for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Friday night at Harrah's Hoosier Park, surging into the lead from first-over in the lane and reporting home with a 1:49 1/5 victory.

Priceless (Lewayne Miller) showed her customary early speed, rocketing to the lead from post eight and hitting the quarter in 25 4/5. Perfect Storm (David Miller) got away in the pocket, Peaky Sneaky (Yannick Gingras) settled in third, and JK First Lady (Dexter Dunn) slid down into fourth.

After the fillies got past the first quarter, Miller brought Perfect Storm to the outside, and she was able to wrestle control away from Priceless. However, Perfect Storm then came under immediate attack from Peaky Sneaky, and Peaky Sneaky took over the top spot passing the 54 second half. JK First Lady got a good look at all that action, then came to the outside first-over just beyond the half. While under a big hold from Dunn, JK First Lady made steady progress on the rim, and she was head-and-head with Peaky Sneaky at the 1:22 1/5 three-quarters.

In the stretch JK First Lady was able to sustain her move and forged her way by Peaky Sneaky. After putting away Peaky Sneaky, JK First Lady never had an anxious moment, crusing home to tally by a length. Peaky Sneaky wound up second, with Hen Party (Brian Sears), Priceless, and Grace Rocks (Joey Putnam) rounding out the top five.

Nancy Takter trains JK First Lady, a daughter of Western Ideal, for owner/breeder 3 Brothers Stables. JK First Lady is now a ten-time winner from 24 career appearances, and she has earned $695,731. She was the 9-5 second choice and paid $5.60 to win.