Aussie import overpowers in Open Pace

With a brush to the lead after the opening quarter mile, harness racing Australian import and race favorite Spring Inhis Step A (Somebeachsomewhere) stayed strong on the lead in winning the $22,000 Open Pace Friday (March 29) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

The 10^th race feature saw Crooked Smile (Jordan Ross) shoot to the early lead with Betterrock (Trace Tetrick) grabbing the two-hole spot and Spring Inhis Step A (Tyler Smith) floating on the outside in fourth place. The first quarter went in :26.4.

Then with a burst of speed, Spring Inhis Step A brushed to the lead before the half mile in :55.1. In the backstretch, Odds On Blockchain (John DeLong) came first-over with Big Wheels A (Atlee Bender) second-over, but they could not advance on Spring Inhis Step A passing the three-quarters in 1:23.3.

Then with a :26.1 last quarter kick for Tyler Smith, Spring Inhis Step A held the field at bay, winning by one and one-half lengths in 1:49.4. Crooked Smile was second with Yourwishisgranted (Ricky Macomber) third.

SPRING INHIS STEP A REPLAY

It was a lifetime mark for Spring Inhis Step A and his second straight win. The seven-year-old Aussie import is trained by Jeff Cullipher, who co-owns the gelding with Pollack Racing. He paid $2.80 to win.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink