Mr. Wireless Interrupts Fulsome’s Streak, Wins Indiana Derby

SHELBYVILLE, IN – Jon Lapczenski and JIL Stable’s Mr. Wireless interrupted the heavy 2/5 favorite Fulsome‘s hot streak Wednesday night, deploying a strong stretch run to win the $300,000 Indiana Derby (G3) at Indiana Grand.

Mr. Wireless broke from the far outside post under Ramon Vazquez as the 7/2 third choice in the field of six 3-year-olds. After initially running three-wide into the clubhouse turn, he took back slightly and closely stalked early leader W W Crazy through opening fractions of :24.16, :48.31, and 1:12.41.

Ranging up to take the lead near the top of the stretch, the Bret Calhoun trainee repelled bids from Starrininmydreams and Sermononthemount in mid-stretch before drawing away to win the 1 1/16-mile fast dirt route by 3 3/4 lengths in 1:42.84.

“I am really confident in my horse,” Vazquez said. “I know my horse is getting better and better, so I just put my horse in good position. When I asked him the last 1/4 (of a mile), he gave me everything he has. He’s going to be a good horse.”

Fulsome trailed early, then attempted to split rivals in the far turn but flattened out in the stretch and could only muster third, 1 3/4 lengths behind Sermononthemount and a head in front of Starrininmydreams.

Convention and W W Crazy completed the order of finish. Full Charge scratched.

Mr. Wireless’ win was his third in his past 4 starts and came after just missing in a sloppy edition of the Texas Derby. The 3-year-old Dialed In gelding, bred by JIL Stable’s John Kerber and Iveta Kerber, has now earned $358,650 and remains undefeated in 3 starts routing on fast dirt.

“He’s got to keep moving forward,” Calhoun said. “He hasn’t done much wrong in his career. He’s got a really good two-turn record. We don’t think he has any distance limitations. He’s gotten better and better. He’s a horse who was really hard to get to the races, just to get him fit and ready. I know his family pretty good. I’ve trained his family. His sister Ain’t No Elmers was the first one. Mentally and physically they were slow developers. He was the same. You have horses like that, a lot of times they just keep getting better and better.”

Mr. Wireless returned $9.80 to win, $5 to place, and $2.40 to show. Sermonothemount brought back $12.20 to place and $3.80 to show. Fulsome paid $2.10 to show.