Starlit Kissin JK was the second longest shot of the conditioned claiming field Wednesday, Nov. 8 and lit the tote board up with an impressive win at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Driven by Ricky Macomber Jr., the three-year-old was a winner in 1:56.3.
Starlit Kissin JK and Ricky Macomber Jr. move up the inside to score the upset Wed. Nov. 8 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Photo by Dean Gillette
Starlit Kissin JK left the gate in search of the lead and was joined by Attaboy Lloyd and Jordan Ross to his outside. The two horses moved together to the lead with Attaboy Lloyd getting the top spot and Starlit Kissin JK settling into second to the first quarter in :28.1. It wasn’t long before the pint sized Tell a Tale and John DeLong moved by both horses and took over the top spot, leading the way to the half in :58.0. There wasn’t much action to the outside, so Tell a Tale kept his lead around the final turn. Horses from the back began to move up with Starlit Kissin JK opting to stay in but Attaboy Lloyd was flushed to the outside at the head of the lane.
In the stretch, Starlit Kissin JK bided his time inside until the passing lane arrived. When he had room, he began to move and went right around Tell a Tale. Once clear, there was only Brooklets Image and Kyle Wilfong who were closing late in the race on the far outside, but Starlit Kissin JK had a good lead and was a winner by one and three-quarter lengths. Brooklets Image finished second over Attaboy Lloyd, who was a major factor on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit this season.
Starlit Kissin JK paid $100.20 for the win. The JK Endofanera gelding is owned by First Star Stable and trained by Randy Hatton. John Wagler bred the gelding, who earned his first career win in 28 starts. Starlit Kissin JK was sold by agent RND Standardbreds for Starlit Stables. He brought $18,000 through the ring at the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale. He was the first foal from the Shadow Play mare Kiss N Play, who is a full sister to Play It Again Sam, a winner of nearly $500,000 with a mark of 1:50.3 in Canada.
It was the second win on the card for Macomber Jr., who also won the evening’s opener with Lighthouse Jesse. The three-year-old Jailhouse Jesse gelding cut the mile and trotted home in :28.4 for the win by one and one-half lengths over Virgnes Kenny B and Michael Oosting. Closed Deal and Trace Tetrick finished third.
Lighthouse Jesse paid $10.00 for the win. The homebred is owned and bred by John Barnard. Luis “Tony” Quevedo trains the trotter.