Hoosier: Sweet Lou sets track record in Dan Patch

Sweet Lou is an unstoppable machine. Those are the hard facts after the son of Yankee Cruiser posted his ninth straight victory while setting a new Hoosier Park track record in the $250,000 Dan Patch for older pacers.

Bettor’s Edge assumed the early lead with an opening quarter of 25 seconds while Carol’s Comet and Sweet Lou chased along from second and third. The outer flow developed quickly with Heston Blue Chip and State Treasurer parked from the start while in mid-pack.

With Heston Blue Chip edging closer, driver Ron Pierce made his move with Sweet Lou and cleared just past the half in a sizzling 52 4/5. The duo of “Lou” and Pierce controlled the action with only token pressure from Heston Blue Chip as they approached three quarters in 1:20 1/5.

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Sweet Lou and his uncoupled stablemate Bettor’s Edge would draw away from the field in the stretch. Bettor’s Edge took a shot halfway down the lane, but Sweet Lou responded when called on by Pierce and stopped the clock in an all-age track record 1:47 2/5 for the victory by a long neck.

Carol’s Comet held third over Thinking Out Loud. Dancin Yankee saw his winning streak end at sixth with a fifth-place finish.

“I thought I gave him a breather, but you look at the clock and I didn’t give him a breather at all,” said Pierce about the third quarter. “He was just going so fast, so easily. I was amazed.”

Sweet Lou won for the ninth time in 12 starts this year for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Larry Karr, and Phil Collura. The victory pushed his career earnings over $3 million to $3,033,961. The 5-year-old has now paced a record six consecutive winning miles under 1:48, with his last three wins just 13 days apart.

Mickey Burke, Jr., representing trainer Ron Burke, was thrilled with his one-two finishers.

“They both just raced awesome,” said Burke, who was not sure where they would race next but hinted at the Canadian Pacing Derby at Mohawk.