Hoosier Park: Ariana G breaks stride, Fine Tuned Lady victorious in Kentuckiana Stallion Management

Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion Fine Tuned Lady took advantage of an early break by previously undefeated Ariana G and went on to win the $250,000 Kentuckiana Stallion Management for 2-year-old trotting fillies on Friday evening at Hoosier Park in 1:56 2/5.

Ariana G (Yannick Gingras), who was seven-for-seven coming into the race, broke just past the fair start pole and was never a factor. With the 1-9 choice out of the picture, Fine Tuned Lady (Corey Callahan) went to the front from post seven and got to the opening quarter in 27 3/5. Callahan then slammed on the brakes in the second quarter, getting to the half in a soft 59 2/5.

Can't I (John Campbell) came first-over out of the fifth position at the half, but her bid had clearly stalled to the outside of Fine Tuned Lady as they raced past the 1:28 4/5 three-quarters. Fine Tuned Lady maintained the lead into the stretch, and then opened up inside the final sixteenth to win by 3 1/2 lengths. Can't I was second, ahead of Temple Ruins (Ricky Macomber Jr.), Merry Hanover (Marcus Johansson), and Best Wishes (Dan Shetler).

"I knew (Ariana G) was off the gate a little bit when we were leaving, but I never noticed that she was actually off-stride," Callahan said. "I was kind of going slow up there, figuring either John or Yannick would come. My whole plan was just to try to track her around there and give her a run late, but it worked out good for us. I got a really, really, really soft middle-half, and she really responded late.

"She's done everything I've asked her to the whole way along, and I really asked her to trot home pretty good (in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes championship on September 11). I kind of wanted to follow somebody tonight. I think she'll actually be a little bit better off of a helmet, but I got things so easy. I was able to keep grabbing into her, and when I asked her to trot through the lane she had plenty left."

John Butenschoen trains and William Wiswell and M And L Of Delaware Inc. own Fine Tuned Lady, a filly by Cantab Hall. She has now won four times from eight attempts, and she boosted her earnings to $326,340. A $27,000 Standardbred Horse Sale buy, Fine Tuned Lady is out of the Pine Chip mare Poster Princess (Pine Chip, $153,407), making her a half-sister to the likes of Poster Pin Up (Andover Hall, $439,454). Sent off as the 8-1 third choice, Fine Tuned Lady paid $18.80 to win.

Callahan said that Fine Tuned Lady has the Grand Circuit Meet at The Red Mile and the Breeders Crown still on her schedule.