Hoosier: Fillies to do battle in Nadia Lobell
While divisional leader Kissin In The Sand takes a well-desserved week of rest after her victory in the $300,000 James Lynch Memorial final at The Downs at Pocono, many of the top contenders will head west to Hoosier Park on Friday for the $142,000 Nadia Lobell for 3-year-old pacing fillies.
Getting the support on the morning line is New York invader Wisdom Tree at 8-5. The daughter of Betterthancheddar has won two straight and six of eight starts in 2018. While she has been in New York since mid May under the care of Ed Hart, she actually returns to a track where she is right at home. Indiana based co-owner/trainer Jeffrey Cullipher saw the filly win twice at Hoosier earlier in the year in 1:51 1/5 and 1:51 3/5. Sam Widger will drive on Friday from post 3.
Trainer Ron Burke will bring in a trio of fillies in an attempt to take home some big checks. Double A Mint, who starts from post 1 with Matt Kakaley in the bike, is a healthy 9-1 on the early line despite a neck loss two starts back in the Lynch elimination and a no-shot effort in the Final from a tough outside post. Burke also has Strong Opinion (post 5, 5-1), a recent 1:51 1/5 winner in an overnight at Harrah’s Philadelphia, and 30-1 outsider Majorsspeciallady from post 8.
Also with multiple entrants is trainer Shane Bowermaster (Brian Brown stable) with Mcvenus and Always Woggy. An Ohio bred, Mcvenus shipped to Hoosier last week and posted an impressive 1:51 2/5 victory. Trace Tetrick drives the daughter of Mcardle from post 4. Always Woggy has been having mixed success racing in Indiana Sire Stakes and will need to overcome post 7 on Friday.
Wrapping up the field are Reign On Me (post 2, 12-1) and Cult Icon (post 5, 5-1).
The Nadia Lobell is scheduled as race 5 on a 14-race program that also features two $75,000 Indiana Sire Stakes finals for 3-year-old colts & geldings on both gaits. The wagering highlight on the card is a $7,223 carryover in the Hoosier Hi-5 which is offered in the last race of the night. Post time is 6:30 p.m.