Evileye Fleegle and Daryl Bontrager earned their first career win in the first leg of the $12,500 Johnny Wattles Series Thursday, Aug. 3 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The series for two-year-old colts and geldings offered two divisions with Evileye Fleegle earning the quickest win of the pair.
Evileye Fleegle and Daryl Bontrager rally home for their first career win in the fastest of two divisions of the Johnny Wattles Series Thursday, Aug. 3 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
Evileye Fleegle came into the series off two impressive starts in Indiana Sires Stakes action. Therefore, he was tagged as the race favorite and acted like one, leaving the gate with authority for the lead. Taking over before the quarter in :26.4, Evileye Fleegle was comfortable on the lead through the half in :56.1 to get a bit of a breather before the outer flow of traffic began to form. Chocluck Chip and James Yoder, who got their start on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit this summer, was flushed out and made a move toward the leader, but Evileye Fleegle was strong.
Evileye Fleegle moved out to a four-length advantage over the field and paced home in :27.4 for the win. The Rocketeer and Joey Putnam sped home with speed for second over Chocluck Chip for third.
Evileye Fleegle paid $5.00 for the win. The freshman son of Tellitlikeitis is owned by Ira Steinberg, who also bred the colt. Bontrager also handles the training duties of the freshman.
To date, Evileye Fleegle has one win and two thirds in four starts. His bankroll is over $21,000 to date.
Soul Rocker and Peter Wrenn scored a win in the other division of the Wattles Series. The Rockin Image gelding sat in third early on before rallying home in :26.2 for the win by one half length over Where’s Drogon and James Yoder, who cut the mile. Rockn The Moni and Atlee Bender finished third with a blazing final quarter in :25.1 in the 1:53.3 mile.
Soul Rocker paid $6.80 for the win. He is owned by John Wittmer and W & W Farms. Gary Miller bred the two-year-old, who is trained by Melanie Wrenn.
It was the first win in three starts for Soul Rocker and the first time on the board for the youngster. He joins his half sister, Townline Luckysoul, as a winner from three foals in his family. There is also a yearling filly named Lucky Town Chick, by Luck Be Withyou. Soul Rocker is the only foal from the family by Rockin Image.