ANDERSON, Ind.-May 8, 2015 – The featured harness racing event, a $21,000 Invitational Pace for fillies and mares, at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino provided an exciting finish as Just A Bee and Montenegro crossed the wire together on Friday, May 8. Unable to be separated after the photo was examined, Just a Bee and Montenegro finished in a dead heat for the win in 1:53.
In an abbreviated field of six, Montenegro was sent firing away from the gate by driver Jason Dillander to get the first call in :27.4. Just a Bee and Mike Micallef also left aggressively to grab a pocket seat behind the pacesetter while the rest of the field sorted out early position.
Montenegro continued to dictate fractions of :56.2 and 1:24.3 as the field remained in single file line down the backside. Pertty Music and Ed Hensley were the first to commit to the outer flow with Miss Kilo and Trace Tetrick in tow approaching the final turn.
As the field turned for home, Montenegro was able to put away Pertty Music but she still had her work cut out for her with Just A Bee sitting on her back in the pocket. Micallef found late racing room up the rail and Just A Bee exploded from the pocket to reach the leader. Now stride for stride, both mares dug in gamely to cross the wire together. Miss Kilo held on for third place honors.
For Montenegro, it was the second consecutive victory at Hoosier Park and 30th career win. Trained by Jeff Cullipher, Montenegro has now earned $37,260 for the season for owners Randall Bendis and Thomas Pollack. The seven-year-old daughter of Camluck-Cyber Wave now sports a lifetime bankroll of $532, 789.
Just A Bee scored her first seasonal victory at Hoosier Park and ninth victory from 14 outings in 2015. Trained by Mike Micallef, Just A Bee has earned $71,625 this season for owners Anita Micallef, John McGoff, and Greg Heath. With the win, the seven year-old daughter of Mr Feelgood-Tawnees Mark notched her 34th lifetime victory from 141 starts.
Live racing will continue at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday, May 9 with a 14-race card. With an adjusted post time of 4:00 p.m., Saturday's live racing card at Hoosier Park will feature a $21,000 Invitational Trot. For more information on the upcoming entertainment and live racing schedule at Hoosier Park, please visit www.hoosierpark.com .
Emily Gaskin