Sophomore trotting colts were the featured attraction at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in the fifth and final round of $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes finals on Thursday, October 4.
With James Yoder in the bike, Katkin American turned in a dominant, front-running effort to win going away in 1:53.2 and with it, notch his second consecutive victory in the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes finals at Hoosier Park.
Last week’s elimination winner and divisional rival, Fiftydallarbill, opted out of the Indiana Sires Stakes action and has been entered in an elimination of the Kentucky Futurity slated for Sunday at The Red Mile.
With no Fiftydallarbill to contend with, Yoder sent Katkin American away from the gate firing from post eight in the field of ten. The duo would have to work for position as Robert Taylor sent River Otter to the front to the grab the early lead through the opening panel in :28. Katkin American pressed on to the front and took command just before the half in :57.2.
Katkin American went uncontested through the three-quarters in 1:26 but John DeLong had Got The Groove on the attack, first-over. As the field turned for home, Got The Groove was inching closer but Katkin American wasn’t finished. Utilizing a :27.2 final panel, Katkin American coasted on to the wire to finish five lengths in front of Got The Groove. Admiral Dewey and Trace Tetrick rallied well late in the mile to finish third. As the 1-9 favourite, Katkin American returned $2.20 to his backers at the betting windows.
“He never quits trying,” Yoder noted after the victory. “He really started coming around about April and has been improving with every start. He goes out there and tries hard every time he’s behind the gate.”
Unraced as a two-year-old, the homebred son of Guccio-Katkin has now won five of 11 lifetime outings while pushing his lifetime bankroll to $171,450. Trained by Verlin Yoder, Katkin American currently holds the track record at Hoosier Park for three-year-old trotting geldings with a 1:52.1 clocking in stakes action earlier this season.
Katkin American is owned and was bred by Brett Boyd Racing Inc. With the win, Katkin American secured his spot in the $220,000 Indiana Sires Stakes Super Final for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings slated for October 12 at Hoosier Park.
Live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will continue on Friday, October 5 with a 14-race card featuring Indiana Sires Stakes action. With a daily post time of 6:30 pm, live racing will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule and be conducted through November 10.
(Hoosier Park)