Grand Swan continued her winning ways at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino after she captured the featured event of the evening, the first division of the $46,500 Indiana Sires Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies, on Wednesday (July 3).

Stopping the timer in 1:54.4, Grand Swan claimed her fourth straight stakes win and remains undefeated this season for driver, trainer LeWayne Miller.

Summit City Swan and Brandon Bates dictated first-half fractions while the rest of the field sorted out early positions. Grand Swan made her game-winning move down the backside and was able to reach the front just before the three-quarters in 1:26.4. Haylie Ivy and Ricky Macomber Jr. staged a big rally late in the lane and Miller would have to ask his mount for more, but Grand Swan responded. Using a :28 final quarter, Grand Swan dug in gamely to get the win over Haylie Ivy. As the heavy 1-5 favourite, Grand Swan returned $2.40.

“She’s a professional in every sense,” Miller noted. “She can get a little lost on the front at times, so that’s why I had to ask her a little more tonight coming for home, but she loves her job. Everyone in the barn loves her, too.”

The daughter of Swan For All and Queen Mum recorded her fourth win of the season from four starts and 12th lifetime victory from 16 trips behind the gate. Grand Swan pushed her lifetime earnings to $278,875 for owners Grand Swan Racing, Go Fast Stable and Never 2 Late Stable.

In the second division, the heavily favoured Kotas Swan and Sam Widger turned in a decisive 1:55 gate-to-wire victory. Widger sent Kotas Swan to the front, and she dictated fractions of :28, :57.3 and 1:26.4 before ever feeling a threat from the rest of the field.

As the field turned for home, Kotas Swan edged away from the field, winning by nearly two lengths over Morairtime and John DeLong. As the 4-5 favourite, Kotas Swan returned $3.80.

“The trip worked out great; I wasn’t sure what to expect in there,” Widger noted. “She did her job. She can be a little testy at times so you have to be careful with her, but we get along well. She has grown up and has gotten a little stronger this year.”

Trained by Jeff Cullipher, Kotas Swan recorded her second win from six seasonal outings. Owned by Pollack Racing and Jeff Cullipher, the daughter of Swan For All and Casual Chick recorded her sixth win from 22 lifetime starts. The victory was also one of four winners on the evening’s 14-race card for Hoosier Park’s current leading driver, Sam Widger.

Live racing action will continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday, (July 4) at an adjusted post time of 4:30 p.m. Thursday’s 11-race card will feature a $10,000 Guaranteed Pick-4 pool in Races 3-6 and Indiana Sires Stakes action for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

(Harrah's Hoosier Park)