Just Rosas Luck had luck and skill on her side Thursday, May 25 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The Indiana sired filly scored a win in the conditioned claiming event as a longshot in the field.
Just Rosas Luck and Peter Wrenn fend off late closers for a win in a new record time Thursday, May 25 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Photo by Dean Gillette
Driven by Peter Wrenn, Just Rosas Luck scooted out of the gate with authority, grabbing the lead and getting the first call at the quarter in :27.3 before being overtaken before the half in :57.0. Little Jolena and LeWayne Miller were the second leaders of the race and led the field by the three-quarters in 1:26.2.
In the stretch Just Rosas Luck was able to maneuver inside and move up to take the lead. The Luck Be Withyou filly paced home in :27.4, fending off late movers late in the stretch for the win by three-quarters of a length. Pure Luck and Jared Finn finished second over Fated Fire and Jordan Ross for third.
Just Rosas Luck paid $30.20 for the win. The sophomore filly is owned by breeders Misty Ridge Stables LLC. Melanie Wrenn trains the filly, who earned her first win of 2023 and only her second career win in 12 starts. The time of the mile, 1:54.2, established a new lifetime mark for Just Rosas Luck, who now has more than $18,000 on her card.
Several longshots were recorded on the Thursday card, including an exciting finish in the final race of the night, the $6,500 Reverse Invitational. The race was the C division of the event, which has offered numerous races under the conditions this season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The C division was for horses that have less than $4,500 in their last four starts and discarded horses that had won $15,000 or more in 2023.
ER Rookie and Brad Ferguson were the first out of the gate, posting the first quarter in :26.4 before Shakertown and Brandon Bates took over. Horses were out and moving for the second half of the race, including Big Chief Arrow and LeWayne Miller from the back of the pack.
In the stretch, Big Chief Arrow kicked into a higher gear, rallying home in :26.1 to nab his opponents at the wire for the win by a nose in 1:53.0. ER Rookie finished second over Aracache Can Dance and Kyle Wilfong for third.
Big Chief Arrow paid $25.40 for the win. The five-year-old Shadyshark Hanover gelding is owned by Castaldo Racing Stable and Horsecents LLC. Sixto Rivas trains the pacer, who earned his first win of 2023.
Big Chief Arrow was unraced at two. He was a winner four times at three and now has 11 wins in 67 career starts with earnings over the $113,000 mark. His career best time was taken last year at four in 1:51.1 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. He has been with his current connections since last fall.