On To Norway extended his win streak to double digits emphatically on Thursday, July 17 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, matching the track record for three-year-old trotting geldings in one of two $67,123 splits of the Indiana Sire Stakes.

Established as the 1-2 favourite from post four, John De Long guided On To Norway into fourth on the first turn while Operator (Kyle Wilfong) rocketed to the top through a first quarter of :26.4. Operator faced pressure on the backstretch from Euguene The Genius (Mike Oosting), who was unable to find a seat on the first turn in the field of six before pressing the leader to a half of :55. On To Norway began to close on the duelling leaders, moving into position second-over from fourth while Operator began to turn away Eugune The Genius after three-quarters in 1:24.1.

On To Norway ripped off cover turning for home, quickly grabbing a short lead as he and Operator began to separate themselves from the remainder of the field. Trotting home in :26.4, On To Norway out-sprinted a game Operator to reach the wire first by three parts of a length in 1:51.2. Pocket-sitter Bluebird Ladychuck (Dan Shetler) edged out Tarzan (Marcus Miller) for third, 6-1/2 lengths behind the winner. The win price was $3.

Since finishing second in his three-year-old debut, On To Norway has won all ten starts, with the most recent nine victories coming since his move to the Ron Burke barn. The gelded son of Muscle Massive-One Class Act has made $206,514 on the year for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Frank Baldachino, Black And White Stable, and Michael Rosenthal. Bred by Bennett Farms Inc. of MI, On To Norway is 14-for-20 lifetime with career earnings just shy of $240,000.

The 1:51.2 clocking matched the track record for three-year-old trotting geldings established by two-time Breeders Crown champion Amigo Volo in 2020.

In the first division, Ponda Rocky pulled a mild 3-1 upset when he upended the 1-9 favourite Starlitfranknstein. Driver Atlee Bender found a seat for Ponda Rocky in third early while longshot Fruit Snacker (Joey Putnam) hustled to the top through a quarter of :27.1. Starlitfranknstein (Trace Tetrick) moved from the pocket to the top on the backstretch, taking the field of six to the half in :55.3. Bender wheeled Ponda Rocky out from third around the final turn while Starlitfranknstein tried to give the field the slip, opening up by 3-1/2 lengths at three-quarters in 1:24.1.

Fruit Snacker jumped it off turning for home, giving Ponda Rocky clearance to drop back in the pocket behind Starlitfranknstein for a braven-up tuck midway through the lane. Ponda Rocky closed to the Tetrick helmet before sliding back to the outside for more, getting by Starlitfranknstein by a length in deep-stretch to score in 1:53. Fifty Rivers (LeWayne Miller) out-battled Massive Desire (Mike Peterson) for the show spot, six lengths behind the winner. The winner returned $8.60.

Trained by Erv Miller, Ponda Rocky has won three of nine outings on the season for owners Engel Stable of IL LLC, Jerry Graham, and Louis Willinger. Bred by Pond-A-Acres, the gelded son of Pastor Stephen-Wildflower has banked $85,194 on the season $138,891 lifetime with four wins in 15 career outings.

Racing continues at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday with a 13-race card featuring two divisions of Indiana Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings. The Friday card also includes a $10,000 guarantee in the Late Hoosier High 5 (Race 14) done in partnership with the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program.

(With files from Hoosier Park)