After opening their stakes season in impressive fashion last week, the Hoosier state’s top three-year-old pacing colts and geldings were back in action at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday, June 10 as two $50,000 divisions of Indiana Sires Stakes were featured on the evening’s 13-race card.
In the opening division, Soaring Now utilized an impressive late-closing kick to track down his rivals in the lane and score by a length in 1:50.1. With Andy Shetler in the bike, Soaring Now notched the first win of his three-year-old campaign.
Leaving from the coveted rail position, Soaring Now protected his position to get the first call through the opening quarter in :26.1. Oneshotatthetitle and Lewayne Miller were unable to find a spot along the rail and ranged up to take command and lead through middle fractions of :54.1 and 1:23.
As the field reached the three-quarters, the heavily favoured Fulfullnmydestiny and James Yoder were on the front. Soaring Now had to navigate through some traffic but powered home once he found late racing room to get the win by a length over Big Law and Sam Widger. Lucks On Time and Brandon Bates also rallied well late for third.
Sent off as the publics’ second choice, Soaring Now returned $5.20 to his backers at the betting windows.
Bred by Luckiana Farms of Indiana and owned by James Miller, the son of JK Endofanera-Sunflower recorded his fourth lifetime victory from nine starts and increased his bankroll of $74,500. The 1:50.1 time was a new lifetime best for the Aaron Stutzman trainee.
In the second division, it was JK Victory who backed up his win last week with another impressive, front-stepping victory. With Trace Tetrick in the bike, JK Victory fended off all challengers to get the win by half a length in 1:49.3.
Tetrick wasted no time and sent JK Victory away from the gate firing. The heavily favoured Ponda Warrior and Jimmy Whitmore were content to sit in the pocket while JK Victory rattled off fractions of :26.3, :54.3 and 1:22.4.
As the field turned for home, Ponda Warrior tipped from the pocket but JK Victory wasn’t finished. Using a :26.4 final panel, JK Victory kept all challengers at bay to get the win. Ponda Warrior was forced to settle for second place while Rip Wheeler charged home for third.
JK Victory paid $7.40 for the win.
Trained by Ron Burke, the gelded son of JK Endofanera-GT Miss Royal recorded his second win of the season and third lifetime victory from eight starts. JK Victory pushed his lifetime bankroll over the $100,000 mark for owners 3 Brothers Stable and Caviart Farms. JK Victory was bred by Victory Hill Farm and is a half brother to Indiana’s stand-out Open pacer, Little Rocket Man.
Live harness racing will continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Saturday, June 11 at an adjusted post time of 7:20 p.m. due to the Belmont Stakes.
(With files from Hoosier Park)