A trio of divisions of the second leg of Indiana Sire Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts headlined the 14-race card on Thursday, July 24 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, and all three were won by sons of Swan For All. The photo finish camera was needed to determine Swan Bi Bi and Hawt Yoga were the winners of the first two splits, and Swan Affect rolled to his second straight stakes score in the third.
In the $62,329 first division, Swan Bi Bi teamed up with driver Jordan Ross and left from post two as the 2-1 second choice. Ross secured the pocket trip with Swan Bi Bi early while Muscle Technician (Doug Rideout) left alertly to take the field of seven to the quarter in :28.2. The field followed in line behind the 16-1 leader to the half in :58.1 when Skyway Awestruck (Mike Peterson) tipped from third and moved alongside Muscle Technician to grab a short lead at three-quarters in 1:28.3.
Swan Bi Bi tipped off the cones and followed Skyway Awestruck’s move before taking dead aim midway through the lane. Swan Bi Bi surged to the lead before facing a late threat from a surging Dan D Man Can (Atlee Bender), who fired up a :26.3 final quarter but came up a quarter-length short of Swan Bi Bi, who trotted home in :27.2 to trip the timer in a career-best 1:56.2. Skyway Awestruck held for show, 4-1/4 lengths behind the winner.
Trained by Henry Graber Jr., Swan Bi Bi has now won three of four outings to start his career, banking $43,492 for owners Indiana Stables LLC, Frank Baldachino, Beasty LLC., and Beentheredonethat Racing. The gelded son of Swan For All-Bange Bi was bred by Ernie Lambright.
The $63,014 second division proved to be even tighter on the line, with three noses together on the wire and Hawt Yoga pulling the mild 9-2 upset. Leaving from post six with trainer Ricky Macomber Jr. in the bike, Hawt Yoga asserted himself early, grabbing command of the field of eight through an opening quarter of :28.4. On the front for the first time in a charted line, Hawt Yoga tapped the brakes before the pocket-sitting 1-9 favourite Mcmikenmike (Marcus Miller) moved to the top prior to the half in :59.3. The pace set by the leaders continued to be tepid on the final turn until Bravo Alpha (Rideout) tipped from third with a head of steam to move alongside Mcmikenmike at three-quarters in 1:30.2.
The sprint for home ensued as Bravo Alpha and Mcmikenmike exchanged blows on top while the rail began to open up for Hawt Yoga to join the battle. Trotting home in :28, Hawt Yoga timed his move up the cones just right as he got his nose on the wire first over Bravo Alpha, and a head in front of Mcmikenmike to break his maiden in 1:58.4.
After finishing third in his career debut in round one of Sire Stakes, Hawt Yoga scored in his second start for owners Macomber Racing and Parkview Stables LLC. The gelded son of Swan For All-Golden Muscle was bred by Haven Lane Farm and sports earnings of $37,264.
Three of the four round one winners clashed in the $63,014 third and final division, in which Swan Affect and LeWayne Miller got the best of it at odds of 6-1. Leaving from post seven, Swan Affect floated away in fourth on the first turn, yet to find a seat along the cones while Premier Bluebird (John De Long) cut the quarter in :28.2. Sunday Swagger (Kyle Wilfong) opted to pass on the pocket trip and moved to the top through a half of :58 while Swan Affect was finally able to find a seat in third. Premier Bluebird jumped it off in the pocket around the final turn, allowing Swan Affect to move into second while spotting Sunday Swagger 3-1/2 lengths at three-quarters in 1:26.4.
Swan Affect quickly closed the gap to the Wilfong helmet at the top of the lane before moving alongside Sunday Swagger with an eighth of a mile to go. Swan Affect grabbed a short lead before Sunday Swagger went off stride, allowing Swan Affect to coast home a winner by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:55.4. Kountry Tab (Atlee Bender) finished second. Great Commission (Aaron Stutzman) and Winnin Dallars (Macomber) finished in a dead heat for fourth but were placed joint-third as Sunday Swagger was set down to seventh due to the extended brake in the lane.
After finishing second to Swan Bi Bi in his career debut, Swan Affect has won each of his two INSS races since for trainer Walter Haynes Jr. Owned by John McGill, who also co-bred the son of Swan For All-Flower Hour with Lavon Miller, Swan Affect has now earned $58,575.
Racing continues at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday with a 14-race card featuring two divisions of Indiana Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies. The Friday card also includes $10,000 guarantee in the Late Hoosier High 5 (Race 14) done in partnership with the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program.
(Hoosier Park; photo of Swan Bi Bi winning on July 24)