Lovers Trouble and Jay Cross spelled defeat with a capital “T” Thursday, July 20 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The two-year-old gelding earned the win in 1:54.2 for trainer and co-owner Zach Miller.
Lovers Trouble and Jay Cross turn in a sizzling final quarter to score his first win Thursday, July 20 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Photo by Dean Gillette
Lovers Trouble moved out from behind the gate in post four and settled in second behind early leader Swiss Cotton and Michael Oosting. The first quarter was posted in :27.1 while the field passed the half in :57.0. Lovers Trouble stayed in around the final turn as the outer flow began to inch up on the outside.
In the stretch, Lovers Trouble found the room he needed to advance and rallied home in a sizzling :26.4 for the win. Prestigious Prince and LeWayne Miller finished a length back in second over Swiss Cotton for third.
Lovers Trouble was a surprise to bettors, paying $27.40 for the win. The Tellitlikeitis freshman is owned by Miller and Ed Dobrowolski. Miller Dobrowolski and Ed Dobrowolski of Michigan also bred the youngster, who is out of the Shadyshark Hanover mare SS Lover with a mark of 1:53.0 and more than $68,000 in earnings. She was purchased at the beginning of her four-year-old season by Miller and Dobrowolski and raced before heading to the brood mare ranks.
It was the first win in six starts for Lovers Trouble, who had three previous second place finishes before his first career win. He is the second foal from SS Lover, and he has a full sister who is three this year named Tell Me You Loveme, who has a mark of 1:54.1. The family also has a yearling filly by Night Pro named My Midnight Lover.
Earlier in the night, one division of three-year-old colt and gelding trotters competed in the fourth leg of Indiana Sires Stakes action with Helpfirstedition and John DeLong rallying for the win. The sophomore son of Helpisontheway was flushed first over at the three-quarter mile marker and trotted home in :28.1 for the win by one and one-half lengths in 1:53.0. Ponda Jet and Kyle Wilfong, who cut the mile, finished in a dead heat for second with Texsong Soprano and Michael Oosting.
Helpfirstedition paid $13.20 for the win. He is owned by Ervin Wickey, John Graber, Running Wild Stables, and John Schmucker. Martin Wickey bred the gelding. Missy Essig trains and is also the trainer of second place finisher Texsong Soprano.
Helpfirstedition earned his fifth win of the season in 11 starts. He has only been out of the top three once this season. He was unraced at two, only competing in a qualifier where he won in 2:01.0. His career best time of 1:52.4 was taken earlier this year. He finished second in the first two rounds of Indiana Sires Stakes.