Sophomore trotting fillies took to the track at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Wednesday, Aug. 20 for a pair of $68,056 splits of the sixth leg of Indiana Sire Stakes, in which Miracle Maven and Martz Seven got back in the win column.

Miracle Maven and driver John De Long left from post five in the first division as the 7-5 second choice behind Fifty To Win (Marcus Miller), who was riding a four-race win streak into Wednesday’s card. Miracle Maven left alertly to grab early control in the field of six through an opening quarter of :28. As the trotting fillies turned into the backstretch headwind, Fifty To Win moved first-over from third to take command just beyond the half in :57.2. Longshot Let Em Dance (Kevin Lambright) charged first-up to take on the favourite around the final turn, moving alongside her at three-quarters in 1:26.3.

Let Em Dance put away Fifty To Win at the top of the lane and appeared poised for the upset before Miracle Maven found room up the cones. Trotting home in :28.2, Miracle Maven rallied by Let Em Dance in the final stages to win by 1-1/4 lengths over the live longshot in 1:55.1. Cs Massive Jewels (Kyle Wilfong) closed for the show spot, 2-3/4 lengths back of the winner.

The win was one of a pair on the night for trainer Henry Graber Jr., who conditions the winning daughter of Dont Letem-Bad Babysitter for owners Hillside Stables, Indiana Stables LLC, Frank Baldachino, and Beasty LLC. Miracle Maven has won half of her six outings this season and eight of 15 lifetime, good for career earnings of $389,855.

In the second split, last year’s Super Final champion Martz Seven pulled a mild 7-2 upset with Kyle Wilfong driving. Leaving from the rail, Wilfong got her away third in the field of six while Ponda Jewel (Pete Wrenn) swooped down from the outside to lead to the quarter in :28.1. The tempo slowed to the half in :58.4 before Ponda Jewel was challenged by Classical Jane (Trace Tetrick), who moved first-over and alongside the leader while Martz Seven tipped off the cones to follow her cover approaching three-quarters in 1:28.3.

Turning for home, Ponda Jewel dug in to rebuff the challenge from Classical Jane before Martz Seven began to pick up steam from second-over. Sprinting home in :26.4, Martz Seven rallied to lead before trotting 1-1/4 lengths clear on the wire in 1:55.4. Ponda Jewel held for second, with A Million Dances (Mike Oosting) finishing third.

Trained by Walter Haynes Jr., Martz Seven has won three of nine starts in her sophomore campaign for owners Stephen Stoll and Black And White Stable. The daughter of Swan For All-La Mirada has banked $414,446 lifetime following the sixth win of her career in 20 starts.

A 115-1 shocker in the evening’s 12th race triggered a pair of carryovers into Thursday’s card when Quickreturn and Lambright lit up the toteboard with the biggest win payout of the season thus far at $232. There will now be a carryover of $2,384.63 into the Early Pick 5 (Races 1-5) on Thursday with a $10,000 guaranteed pool, to go along with a $1,770 carryover in the Early Pick 3 (Races 2-4). There will also be the usual $10,000 guarantees on the Late Pick 4 (Races 11-14) and Late High 5 (Race 14), done in partnership with the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program.

Along with the wagering action, On To Norway headlines the Thursday festivities as he looks for his 13th consecutive victory in the second of two $50,000 USD Indiana Sire Stakes divisions for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings. The Ron Burke trainee leaves from post six in Race 10 with regular pilot John De Long slated to drive the 3-2 morning-line favourite. First post is set for 5:30 p.m.

(Hoosier Park)