The second leg of Indiana Sire Stakes (INSS) for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings headlined at Hoosier Park on Thursday, July 23, with Swan Good Bi, Nectar Of The Gods and Temporal Power taking the divisions.

Swan Good Bi started seventh from post eight for Jordan Ross in the $64,789 first contest, keeping the action in front of him while Copperstone (LeWayne Miller) flew through the first quarter in :27. The revved-up Copperstone then went off stride, leaving the door open for Munich (Markus Niklasson) to steal his spot on top on the backstretch. Munich’s advantage was also short-lived as a parked-and-pressing High Honor Role (Kiwon Waldron) reached the front at the halfway point in :57.

Munich and favourite So Joyful (John De Long) posed the immediate threats to the leader entering the final turn with Swan Good Bi still seventh. High Honor Role remained on a narrow advantage to the three-quarters in 1:27 before So Joyful advanced to the top first-over. Trotters began to swarm the new leader, with Swan Good Bi widest of a group of challengers. He rocketed home in :26.4 to reach the wire first in 1:55.2 by three-quarters of a length. Ponda Cheetah (Marcus Miller) rallied to second, while Munich finished third.

The victorious son of Swan For All-Bange Bi remained perfect for trainer Henry Graber Jr., taking his second win in two starts after dominating an overnight on debut on June 24. Swan Good Bi, now with $40,846 in earnings, is owned by Indiana Stables LLC, Frank Baldachino, Michael Rosenthal, and James Zito. The gelding, bred by Ernie Lambright, paid $9 to win.

Nectar Of The Gods emerged victorious in a heavyweight stretch duel with favourite Ponda Solve in the $64,789 second division. 

Nectar Of the Gods, leaving from post three for trainer-driver Mike Micallef, started a slot inside of Ponda Solve (Trace Tetrick), and the two were out the quickest with Ponda Solve winning the early battle to the quarter in :28.4. Ponda Solve maintained his lead over the unchanged eight-horse field through the halfway mark in :58.4. Rounding the final turn to three-quarters in 1:28.2, Ponda Solve and Nectar Of The Gods separated from the rest, gearing up for a final battle on the homestretch. Nectar Of The Gods grinded down Ponda Solve through the lane, prevailing in 1:56.3 by a nose. Mendoza Mafia (Atlee Bender) rallied late to round out the triactor.

The winning Temporal Hanover-Goddess colt is owned by Bet The House LLC and was bred by Steve Jones. Nectar Of The Gods, now two-for-three and perfect in the INSS, boosted his lifetime earnings to $69,895. He paid $7.80 to win.

Temporal Power shocked the seven-horse field as he won the $64,085 third split at 34-1.

Temporal Power settled into the middle of the field for Joey Putnam out of post four as Heffae (Lamar Wingard) rocketed to a five-length lead at the quarter in :27.3. Heffae’s cushion began to shrink on the backstretch, with a parked Steppinouttohelp (Robert Taylor) and pocket-sitter Royal Response (Markus Niklasson) closing the gap to the half in :57.2. Heffae remained in control on the far turn, leading at three-quarters 1:26.4 as Royal Response reclaimed second inside of Steppinouttohelp with Temporal Power fifth. Having not seen a pylon the entirety of the mile, Steppinouttohelp charged to the point midway through the lane before Temporal Power shook loose in the late stages and tracked that foe down with a :28.4 last quarter to win by a length in 1:56.4. Tipsy In Vegas (Jordan Ross) rallied from the backfield to be third.

Owned by Per Eriksson, Michael Midford, Michael Retherford and PCW Racing LLC, Temporal Power posted his first career win in two starts for trainer Kristin Shetler and cashed a $32,043 winner's cheque. The Temporal Hanover-Mystical Power colt was bred by Amos Schwartz.

Trainer Erv Miller tripled on the 14-race card, scoring wins with Assistant Coach ($2.40), who broke his maiden in 1:52, Ponda Challenger ($8), a 1:54.3 winner, and Taddbitfast ($13.60), who tallied his first lifetime victory in 1:54.4. Miller is third in the Hoosier standings with 45 local wins this season and is 105-for-470 across all tracks.

Hoosier Park will host more INSS action on Friday with the $94,000 USD fifth leg for three-year-old pacing fillies. The race features another matchup between Whoomp and Somemore Blue, who have finished first and second in three straight matchups against each other. Friday’s 14-race card also has a $10,000 guaranteed Late Pick 5 with a $1,983 carryover, a $10,000 guaranteed Late Pick 4 and a $10,000 guaranteed Late Hoosier High 5, all done in partnership with the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program.

(With files from Hoosier Park; photo of Temporal Power winning on July 23)