Photo of Great Pretender and Trace Tetrick by Dean Gillette
There aren’t many Indiana races where the state’s all-time leading driver guides home a winner that pays double digits, but one slipped through to kick of the Thursday, October 22 racing program at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Trace Tetrick brought Great Pretender home to pay $109.60 as the second longest shot on the board in the $10,000 conditioned claiming event.
Great Pretender began from post seven and was ready to go when the gate folded. Tetrick sent the gelding straight to the lead and had the top spot wrapped up before the quarter in :26.3. Twin B Courageous and Kevin Lambright settled in the two hole followed by Rocking JK and Atlee Bender holding their ground from the inside for third.
Great Pretender got a breather to the half in :55.4 before picking up the tempo, thanks to the move to the outside by Man up Miki and John DeLong. As the field rounded the turn, Great Pretender was primed and in position for the stretch drive. Pacing home in :27.1, he was able to fend off late challengers and earn the win by a neck at the wire over Man Up Miki. Twin B Courageous finished third.
Great Pretender was a winner in 1:51.2, a new career best. Pat Melloy Jr. trains the three-year-old son of Tellitlikeitis, who is owned by Melloy Jr. and Lisa Gosselin. He is a recent acquisition for his connections and it was the first win since transferring to their barn. Great Pretender only had a handful of starts last year but has come back strong this season. His win Thursday was his fourth of the year as he increased his bankroll to more than $36,000.
Another longshot came home as the winner of the second race on the night with John DeLong guiding Dream on Finance to victory in a similar race. The Yankee Skyscraper sophomore moved up in the stretch to nab the win by a half length in 1:54.4. Aint She Fancy and Cristian Pacheco with Elphaba and LeWayne Miller finishing third.
Dream on Finance paid $40.60 for the win. The filly is owned by breeder Donald Laufenberg of Wisconsin and trained by Bob Johnson. It was the first career win for the filly, who was unraced at two last year.
