Lovemelikethat Continues Her Win Streak in QHRAI Derby Final at Hoosier Park
Lovemelikethat and rider Julie Veltman represented the females well during Ladies Day at the Races Saturday, Oct. 22. The duo rallied down the track and surged past Speed Smith and Carter Riley in the final stages to take the 15th running of the $75,000 QHRAI Derby at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.
Starting from post nine, Lovemelikethat is now five for seven in 2011, winning her last four starts. The Indiana-bred became one of the richest representatives of the state all time with her third stakes win in the QHRAI Derby. She surged over the $200,000 mark in earnings with her latest win for owner Cooter Daniel.
“She (Lovemelikethat) has just been a thrill,” said Daniel. “I’m just a country boy from Tennessee and this is the only horse we have. She has been a blessing, and John (McCreary) and Julie (Veltman) have done a great job.”
Lovemelikethat is trained by John McCreary, who has had an outstanding season at Hoosier Park. Despite winning the QHRAI Derby with Lovemelikethat, he also saddled Shez So Rare to victory earlier in the day in the featured third running of the $100,000 Miss Roxie Little Futurity Final. With 10 wins in 2011, McCreary finished in second place behind five-time leading Quarter Horse champion Ron Raper in the trainer standings.
“She (Lovemelikethat) dug in hard and it was an amazing race,” said McCreary. “Julie (Veltman) rode her hard to get to the wire. It’s just been an amazing year and I have such good people around this filly like Cooter and Julie.”
The win for Veltman was one of two on the program. Veltman completed the 2011 season with 10 wins to finish second behind leading rider Harold Collins, who earned his second straight title at Hoosier Park in 2011.
Lovemelikethat is now six for seven over Hoosier Park’s oval during her two-year career. The three-year-old sorrel filly by Likenothinyoueversaw also has two other trophies to her credit from Hoosier Park, including the $100,000 Sterlie Bertram Memorial Final earlier this year and the $100,000 Miss Roxie Little from 2010. Veltman, two-time leading Quarter Horse rider at Hoosier Park, has been aboard for five of her eight lifetime wins.
The time posted by Lovemelikethat was 19.856 seconds, which is a new track record for 400-yards. The previous record of 19.916 seconds was set in 2010 by Got Courage.
Lovemelikethat passing Speed Smith and Carter Riley at the finish of the QHRAI Derby