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ABC Mercedes Remains Undefeated in Indiana Sires Stakes
ABC Mercedes, with Mark O’Mara in the bike, continued his undefeated winning streak earning his fifth victory in the Indiana Sires Stakes three-year-old colts and geldings final. The duo crossed the line in 1:56.1 during the special Hoosier Cup Night Saturday, June 28. 
ABC Mercedes held the early lead out of the gate from post six. Reaching the quarter-mile mark in :27.4, ABC Mercedes was trailed by Sweet Joe, with Ricky Macomber Jr., and Seven Bends, driven by Joe Essig Jr.
The field maintained their positions until the three-quarter-mile mark in a time of 1:28.1. Serene Joe-Joe and Luc Ouellette came charging first-up. Racing to the line, ABC Mercedes kicked it into gear and fired away for a commanding lead. He eased across the finish line 10 lengths ahead of the rest.
It was a battle for place behind ABC Mercedes between American Flyer, driven by Trent Stohler, and Sweet Joe. American Flyer prevailed by a head to take second place.
The win marked the fifth in a row for the ABC Mercedes. The son of ABC Garland pushed his lifetime earnings to almost $200,000.
ABC Mercedes is owned by Larry Miller of Springport, Ind. Joe Putnam is the trainer of the sophomore standout.
“We call Larry (Miller) Lucky Larry,” said Putnam. “Larry has done very well. He was the owner of Super Kay and then ABC Glory. This colt (ABC Mercedes) is a full brother to ABC Glory.”
Putnam, who is recovering from a fractured wrist sustained during a racing incident in the early part of April, has been busy overseeing his stable. He trains at a nearby private facility he owns with trainer Trent Stohler.
“It’s been tough, but I have a lot of good help,” said Putnam. “Mark (O’Mara) has stepped in to help out and Trent (Stohler) has also been a big help. I can’t do any work on the track, yet, but the entire barn has all been pitching in, so I’m very thankful of that.”
