Maiden fits in Crown Ambassador Stakes

The $70,000 Crown Ambassador is the feature race on closing day of the Hoosier Park meet. A group of 11 Indiana-bred and -sired 2-year-olds will contest the six-furlong race.

Brent the Banker is a maiden but his running style may be to his advantage in the field of four winners and six maidens. There appears to be an abundance of speed in the race and Brent the Banker showed a big closing kick in his last start.

Trained by Ron Brown, Brent the Banker came from far back early to run second, beaten two lengths, in that maiden sprint. Brent the Banker earned a Beyer Figure of 44, the third highest of any starter in the race. Tommy Pompell will ride for the first time.

Bootleg, also trained by Brown, is the only horse to come into the Crown Ambassador off a win. Jockey Orlando Mojica kept Bootleg in midpack until the stretch, then he rallied to a 2 1/2-length win in an Indiana-bred maiden race going 5 1/2 furlongs Sept. 13. The added distance should only enhance his chances.