The second series of the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit got underway Saturday, September 5 at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in Connersville. One freshman pacing colt has been following a late theme so far in his career. SF Flight was sold late in the Midwest Standardbred Horse Sale last fall and is a late bloomer, making his track debut in two qualifiers at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in August. But the patience paid off as SF Flight and Odell Cross rallied to victory in one of two $3,300 divisions for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
SF Flight was the most inexperienced freshman pacing colt or gelding in the two divisions on the program but he left the starting gate like an experienced veteran. Cross put him right on the lead as he showed the way to the quarter in :32.2 over the track listed as good. SF Flight was in full command at the half in 1:05.2 before the field began to close the gap.
At the three-quarters, SF Flight had company on the outside as Allcaptain and Kevin Detweiler were on the outside applying pressure. SF Flight held his ground around the final turn and was able to pace home in :31.2 for the win by one and one-quarter lengths in 2:09.2. Allcaptain finished second over Vel Crow and Clint Coy.
SF Flight is owned by Cedric Horton of Louisiana. Cross trains the Freaky Feet Pete colt, who was purchased for $2,000 as the 11th from the end of the Midwest Standardbred Horse Sale from Yoder Standardbreds. He received a name change to SF Flight from McKenna Fleeya. His dam, McKenna Hanover, took a mark of 1:53.4 during her career and is the dam of Lady McKenna, who won in 1:55.2. She has a weanling colt this year by JK Endofanera named McKenna Schlofah.
Odell Cross was back in the winner’s circle later in the program in a division of three-year-old colt and gelding pacers. Whiskey Neat began from the second tier an was out and moving at the half as I’m From Somebeach and Mike Peterson were the first leaders followed by Veleasyonthechrome and Clint Coy took over for the second half. Whiskey Neat followed Veleasyonthechrome to the outside and endured a parked over journey to the head of the lane before fighting his way to the wire for the win by three-quarters of a length in 2:04.3. Western Beast Boy and Kevin Detweiler finished second over I’m From Somebeach. Three seconds were allowed due to track conditions on the day.
Whiskey Neat is owned by Charlie Harris of Mississippi. Cross also trains the Capt Midnight gelding, who was bred by Dean Miller. It was the first win of the year for Whiskey Neat, who competed on the ISFC during the first session. His career best time was a qualifying win last year in 2:00 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
The second series of the ISFC heads to the Jay County Fairgrounds in Portland next Saturday, September 12. The second series final will be held October 10 at the Clinton County Fairgrounds in Frankfort.
