Freshman and sophomore trotters were the featured attraction Friday, August 26 at Indiana Downs. The Shelbyville track hosted 10 divisions of Indiana Sires Stakes action on the 14-race program. It was a rough night for favourites

, as only three reached the winner’s circle.

Two divisions of ISS competition for sophomore colt trotters were carded Friday evening, each offering $40,000 purses. Genesis Mercury and Trace Tetrick capitalized on a break by favourite Bluebird Elian, using a pocket trip to win in 1:55.4. Roydon finished second while Bluebird Elian recovered to finish third. Trained by Frank Fisher and owned by Melissa Fisher, the Danish Delight gelding was bred by Genesis Trotters. The victory was the third of the season for the three-year-old, establishing a new mark for the trotter.

R G Rocket, driven by Dave Magee, wired the field in the second $40,000 division, stopping the clock in 1:57.2. Trained and owned by Gene Hereford, the Cincinnati Kid three-year-old crossed the wire four lengths in front, followed by Primer Cap and Dan Shetler. Uncle Freddie finished third. Thrice a winner in 15 seasonal starts, the gelding, bred by Hoosier Standardbred Farm and Fair Meadow Farm, also lowered his record with the win.

Indiana Downs hosted a quartet of ISS splits for two-year-old colt trotters Friday evening. My Muscleman and Josh Sutton won the fastest division on the program, trotting to a 1:59.2 victory. The Rocky Balboa gelding raced off the lead early before overtaking Velten San Siro in the stretch to win by three lengths. Wayland Ivy and Peter Wrenn were third. Owned by Roger Welch and Gordon Wright and trained by Welch, My Muscleman was sent off as the betting favourite. It was the third victory in seven starts and the fastest mile to date for the freshman.

Trottin Tiger, second choice in his $40,000 division, won going away for reinsman Sam Widger. The Mossy Oak two-year-old romped by more than 14 lengths in a time of 1:59.4. Roper In Action trotted second while What Ideal finished fourth but was placed third by judges. Victorious in three of six starts, Trottin Tiger is owned by Mark Gillenwater and Kevin McKinney. Gillenwater trains the Paul Schmucker-bred gelding.

JL Scooting Victor picked up his third win of the season with a 2:00.1 triumph Friday at Indiana Downs. Guided by trainer Dan Shetler, the Butler Hall gelding moved to the front racing to the half and finished half a length ahead of favoured Luddite Bluegrass at the wire. Summit City Earl trotted third. Bred by Henry Lengacher, JL Scooting Victor is owned by Dobbins Standardbreds Inc.

The final division for trotting colts was captured by Dontfusswithruss and Joe Essig Jr. Tabbed the favourite, the Elegant Man freshman took control in the stretch and trotted home to a nearly three-length victory, stopping the clock in 2:00.1. Mr Balboa and Rendezvous Kid rounded out the trifecta. Now trained by Roger Cullipher, the homebred earned his second win in seven starts.

Four $40,000 divisions for freshman trotting fillies were also contested Friday at Indiana Downs. Cincinnati Star claimed the fastest of the splits, moving to the top after the quarter and defeating the field by two and three-quarter lengths in 2:00. Tetrick steered the favourite for trainer Steve Carter. The partnership of Peggy Carter, Sheila Hummel, Robert Reid and Great American Stables, LLC owns the Cincinnati Kid two-year-old, a six-time winner in 2011.

Sweetasmusic trotted home in :29.1 to win by half a length in her $40,000 split in a time of 2:00.3. Previously a four-time runner-up, trainer Walter Haynes Jr. guided the Gut Instinct filly to her first career victory. Owned by Haynes and Michael Brown, Sweetasmusic was bred by John Stoll and Phillip Wittmer.

Trainer Valerie Wells sent out Above The Bar filly Bar Sue to a 2:00.3 triumph in Indiana Sires Stakes action. Sam Widger sat behind the Dennis Reisert-owned freshman, a three-quarter length winner over Shes Country and My Sweet Shiela. The victory was the second win in three starts for Bar Sue, third choice in the race.

Wecanworkitout rounded out the list of ISS winners Friday night with a 2:01.1 score. Trained and driven by Dan Shetler, the ABC Garland lass edged favorite Pretty Ann Savage by a length at the finish. Honeyinthepine raced third. Bred by Julia Richards and owned by Don Swartzentruber, Wecanworkitout reached the winner’s circle in her first career start.

(Indiana Downs)