Indiana Downs: Fib tries to transfer dirt form to turf in Ellen's Lucky Star

A pair of $85,000 stakes for 3-year-old Indiana-breds highlight the card at Indiana Downs on Wednesday evening. Both events are scheduled for a mile on turf.

Fib will look for her fifth win in her last six starts in the Ellen’s Lucky Star for fillies. The daughter of Broken Vow won her maiden at Laurel Park on Feb. 6 by 19 3/4 lengths going a mile. She came back to win a $16,000 claiming event Feb. 15 at Laurel before running third in a $25,000 claiming event March 14. Trainer Dane Kobiskie then took Fib to Charles Town, where she won an open allowance event April 18 going seven furlongs. In her most recent start, May 18 at Indiana Downs, she won a statebred allowance race by 6 1/4 lengths.

Although Fib has yet to win on turf, her Tomlinson figure of 325 suggests that she should improve over the surface. There is plenty of speed in the 12-horse field, and her closing style should suit her well. Malcolm Franklin retains the mount.

To Live Fore will look for her second win in as many career starts in the Ellen’s Lucky Star. To Live Fore won at first asking May 22 locally for trainer Tom Proctor in a six-furlong statebred maiden event. Chris Landeros retains the mount.

Dread the Pirate has a front-running style, and Franklin will have to ration that speed in the Snack Stakes for colts and geldings. Trained by David Paulus, Dread the Pirate won three of four races last year, including the Crown Ambassador and Indiana Futurity, both in October at Hoosier Park.

This year, Dread the Pirate had a dismal outing in an open optional-claiming race April 23 and then finished third in the William Henry Harrison Stakes against statebreds June 5, both locally. Both events were for older horses, and a return to 3-year-old competition should improve his chances.

Others in the 12-horse field include Needmore Cash, Citi Rush, Pulling Away, Short Round, Sucess Is Racing, Clyde Park, Speed Rail, Seal Beach, Indiana Charlie, and the coupled entry of Eyesonthelady and Joint Tenant.