(Chart, Equibase)
Jockey Lonnie Meche and 15-1 Indy Fire won Friday night's $70,000 Miss Indiana Stakes at Hoosier Park in just a head bob over Jon Court and Miss Dakota. Indy Fire laid off the early pace setters before rallying in the turn to pick up ground and momentum. Meche gave Indy Fire the needed urging down the stretch to win in a time of 1:15.1."This race had a lot of early speed," said Meche. "This filly showed she is at her best when she is relaxed. I heard she a had a rough trip last week, but she had no trouble tonight."Race favorite Hurricane Hebe and Lester Knight led nearly the entire six furlongs before tiring in the stretch. That is when the race became wide open. With both Indy Fire and Miss Dakota surging at the end, even Meche didn't know if he was heading to the winner's circle."When I called on her she was there for me," said Meche. "It was so tight at the wire. With about 50 yards left, I put up my whip and just pumped away. I wasn't sure if I had won or not."Cattle Kate and Orlando Mojica finished in the third spot. Trained by Stephen Dunn and owned by Swifty Farms, Indy Fire picked up her second career win in four starts. The winner's share of the purse brings her career earnings to nearly $60,000 mark. Owned and bred by Don and Dana Myers' Swifty Farms in Seymour, Ind, the daughter of Announce also has two thirds to go along with her victories.