Hoosier: Indy Fire takes advantage

ANDERSON, Ind. - Indy Fire won her stakes debut in Friday night's $73,650 Miss Indiana Stakes after 3-10 favorite Hurricane Hebe hit the rail in the stretch while on her way to an apparent victory.

Hurricane Hebe was four lengths in front leaving the furlong marker, while Indy Fire and Miss Dakota moved as a team in what looked to be a duel for second place. But Hurricane Hebe suddenly shortened stride and lugged in at the sixteenth pole, and then faded to seventh.

Indy Fire and Miss Dakota surged past and suddenly found themselves battling for the win in the six-furlong race for 2-year-old Indiana-bred fillies.

Indy Fire, under Lonnie Meche, won by a nose to post a $28.60 upset in the field of nine. Miss Dakota finished 3 3/4 lengths in front of Cattle Kat, who ran third. Indy Fire covered the distance in 1:15.32 over a muddy track and in steady snow.

She is trained by Stephen Dunn and owned by Swifty Farms.