Indiana Sire Stakes returned to Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Wednesday, June 14 with round two for the sophomore trotting fillies. Two $50,000 splits for the three-year-old trotting fillies highlighted the 14-race card, with the favourites living up to the wagering hype on their way to scores in each division.

The first division went off as the evening’s 11th race, where Helpoftheseason rewarded her backers at the betting windows as the 6-5 post time favourite.

Leaving from post three in the field of nine, Peter Wrenn hustled Helpoftheseason into position off the wings of the gate, pushing second choice Naturdays, who left alertly from post nine with Matt Krueger, hard through an opening quarter of :27.1.

Helpoftheseason relinquished the lead to Naturdays as the round one winner took the field to the half in a throttled down :57.2.

Naturdays continued to hold command entering the far turn while under pressure from Flo Lashomb and Kyle Wilfong, who launched their bid from third to challenge the leader at three-quarters in 1:27.2.

At the top of the lane, Naturdays and Flo Lashomb continued their slugfest up front as Wrenn waited for the passing lane. Once up the rail, Helpoftheseason powered home on the strength of a :27.3 final quarter to nail a game Naturdays at the wire, a half-length the best in 1:55.1. Flo Lashomb and Wilfong held for the third spot.

The victory was the second in three seasonal starts for the first crop daughter of Helpisontheway out of the Angus Hall mare, Torches Star. It was the sixth career victory in her 10th start and she has now banked $178,300 lifetime for trainer Melanie Wrenn and owners John Schmucker and Wrenn Racing LLC.

It was Swanya’s turn to deliver as the 3-5 choice in the second Indiana Sire Stakes division going as the 13th race on the card.

Leaving from the middle of the gate from post five in the field of nine, John De Long was aggressive with Swanya from the outset, leading the field through an opening quarter of :27.4.

Swanya released the lead briefly as Stella Rose and Mike Oosting worked their way to the top up the backstretch after leaving from post eight, before De Long tugged on the right line and quickly reasserted Swanya back at the front through an opening half of :57.

The field remained in straight alignment following Swanya’s lead around the far turn as she maintained control of the race through three-quarters in 1:25:3.

In the stretch, Swanya remained in charge, however, facing pressure in the form of Yo Beth D and Trace Tetrick as they launched their bid from third. The two fillies battled as they separated themselves from the field, with Swanya prevailing by three-quarters of a length on the line over Yo Beth D on the strength of a :27.3 final quarter to score in a lifetime-best 1:53.1. Stella Rose and Mike Oosting held for show to round out the trifecta.

Trained by Missy Essig, Swanya (pictured above) visited the winner’s circle for the sixth time in eight seasonal starts after making just one start as a freshman and pushed her earnings $79,250 for owner Jacalyn Beeman. Bred by Leonard Miller, Swanya is a daughter of Swan For All out of the Lous Legacy mare, Tanyas Legacy.  

Racing continues at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Thursday, June 15 with a 14-race card featuring a single $95,500 division of Indiana Sire Stakes for the three-year-old trotting colts and geldings. The Thursday night card will also featuring plenty of fantastic wagering action, including a $23,614.46 carryover in the Jackpot Pick 6 in Races 8-13, as well as a $10,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 in Races 11-14, which bettors can expect every Thursday throughout the 2023 season.

(With files from Hoosier Park)