Landess trained horse victorious at Anderson (06/19/06)

ANDERSON — A Portland resident and his horse are still going strong.

Nine-year-old Primetime Ranger won the $16,000 Indiana Sires Stakes Friday at Anderson’s Hoosier Park. He is trained by Jerry Landess, 76, of Portland.

Primetime Ranger, driven by Jay Cross and owned by Raymond Tanner and John Tanner (Winchester), battled LF Sharp Score for much of the race. He pulled away down the stretch to score his second victory of the season and 25th of his career.

Rockets win two more

The Portland Rockets trailed 1-0 twice, but came back for a pair of 3-2 wins over the Huntington Foresters Saturday at Runkle-Miller Field.

The Rockets (8-2, 6-0 Midwest Prospects League) got going in the third inning of game one with singles from Todd Graves, Jay County graduate Heath Williams and Pete Milas. Derek Lehrman brought in all three with a two-out, double to right field.

Those runs were enough for Eric Van Matre, who struck out nine and did not allow an earned run.

Mitch Waters (Jay County) scattered nine hits over nine innings and struck out five to win game two.

Lenny Koesters got on base with a bunt single in the ninth inning and stole second base. Williams then delivered the game-winning hit.

Hoopfest winners

Community and Family Services hosted the Hoosier Hoopfest 2-on-2 basketball tournament Saturday at Weiler-Wilson Park.

Teams made up of Jay County residents won titles in the 10-and-younger, 13-15-year-old and 15-18-year-old divisions.[[In-content Ad]]