Photo by Dean Gillette
Pilot’s Lucky Day and Brad Ferguson were on auto pilot in their win Wednesday, May 20 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The duo rallied home for the comfortable win in the $10,000 conditioned trot in a time of 1:57.1, a new lifetime mark.
Pilot’s Lucky Day began the whole experience with luck on his side, drawing post two in the race. Ferguson guided him out of the gate with just enough speed to luckily land in the two hole behind Meadowbrook Mason and Brandon Bates. Mile marker times of :27.1 and :58.0 were established before the back of the pack began to scoop in around the final turn.
Pilot’s Lucky Day had luck that he was able to sit in his position until midway through the final turn. This movement prompted Pilot’s Lucky Day to the outside. By the time the field was in the stretch, Pilot’s Lucky Day had taken over and had the field spotted by several lengths. This is where the skill kicked in. The Indiana trotter rallied home in :28.2 for the win by three and one-quarter lengths. Blessed With Help and Kevin Lambright finished second over Castro and Atlee Bender for third.
Pilot’s Lucky Day brought a little luck to his backers, paying $32.40 for the win. The sophomore son of Pilot Discretion is owned by Jason and Laura Miller. Jason, one of the newest members of the Indiana Standardbred Association board, trains the gelding, who was making his fourth start of 2026. It was his first win and his quickest to date. He now has three wins. The gelding was bred by Willie Schwartz.
In the race prior to Pilot’s Lucky Day, Ilikeitlikethat and Jordan Ross rallied near gate to wire for the win in the conditioned claiming pace. Ilikeitlikethat pulled away from his opponents and won by three and three-quarter lengths in 1:53.1, a final quarter in :27.1. Beyond Dazzling and Brandon Bates finished second with I[ll Decide and John DeLong rounding out the trifecta.
Ilikeitlikethat paid $10.20 for the win. The three-year-old son of Capt Midnight is owned by Indiana Stables, Frank Baldachino, Beasty LLC, and James Zito. Henry Graber handles the conditioning duties for the gelding, who also earned his first win of his career after only one start last year at two.
