It was the three-year-old colt and gelding trotters' turn in the Indiana Sires Stakes spotlight at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino as they squared off in the second round of stakes action on Wednesday, June 15. Two $48,500 divisions were featured on the evening’s 13-race card.
In the first division, Bluebird Bishop and Sam Widger came out on top after an uncharacteristic break by the heavily favoured Dover In Motion just steps before the wire. With a final time of 1:54.1, Bluebird Bishop is now undefeated in four starts this season.
Leaving from post seven, Widger sent Bluebird Bishop away from the gate but he wouldn’t get to the lead until just before the half in :56.3. Just as Bluebird Bishop settled in on the front, Ricky Macomber Jr. had Dover In Motion pointed to the front and he would lead the field through the three-quarters in 1:25.2. Dover In Motion was on top with a two-length lead but went off stride just steps before the wire and Bluebird Bishop inherited the victory. Adamsville Road, with Trace Tetrick in the bike, trotted evenly to finish second while Dover In Motion was placed third.
Bluebird Bishop returned $16.40 to his backers at the betting windows.
Trained by Jeff Edwards, the son of Swan For All-Little Revenue has now amassed $61,350 in lifetime purse earnings. Bluebird Bishop is owned in partnership by Denise Dennis and John Johannsen.
Ponda Adventure continued his own winning ways in the second division as he captured his second straight victory of the season in as many starts.
With regular pilot Trace Tetrick in the bike, Ponda Adventure dictated fractions of :28.1, :57, and 1:25.3 before employing a :27.4 closing kick to get the win. Ponda Adventure stopped the timer in 1:53.2 to establish a new lifetime best and finish nearly two lengths in front of the pocket-sitting Sweet Boy Ben and Peter Wrenn. Late Nite Hawk and Kyle Wilfong rounded out the trifecta.
As the heavy 1-9 favourite, Ponda Adventure returned $2.20 at the betting windows.
Trained by Erv Miller, the gelded son of Swan For All-Wildflower is now two-for-two this season and has won 10 of 12 lifetime outings. Owned by Engel Stable of Il LLC, Louis Willinger, and Jerry Graham, Ponda Adventure pushed his lifetime bankroll to $320,718.
Live racing will continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday, June 16 with a 13-race card featuring a $10,000 guaranteed Pick-4 and a $10,000 guaranteed Hoosier High-5. Post time is 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Hoosier Park)