Indiana Sires Stakes action returned to Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday (Aug. 14) with the fifth round for the three-year-old trotting fillies. Both $47,500 divisions brought the betting public’s choices to the winner’s circle, with wins by Kotas Swan and Measuredperfection.
Measuredperfection, who had been sidelined for a few weeks, delivered an impressive gate-to-wire performance as the favourite in the second division.
Leaving from post five in the field of eight, Measuredperfection and Trace Tetrick wasted no time and went straight to the lead. Sophia Lia (John DeLong) grabbed the coveted pocket and followed intently through opening fractions of :27.4 and :57.3. Just after the half, Verlin Yoder urged co-favourite Grand Swan to make her move toward the lead.
When the field hit three-quarters in 1:26.1, Measuredperfection maintained her lead while Sophia Lia was tracking from second and Grand Swan was advancing with every stride. As the field turned for home, Measuredperfection still had some left in the tank and held her challengers at bay in 1:53.3 with a final quarter of :27.2. Grand Swan fought hard and got up for second, while Sophia Lia trotted evenly for third.
Measuredperfection paid $3.80 to win.
“We were able to get out to the front easily,” Tetrick noted in the winner’s circle. “The trip worked out like I thought it would. She did everything I asked and trotted strong all the way to the wire. She was strong tonight.”
Ron Burke trainee Measuredperfection finished third in the first round of stakes action in May before being sidelined. After a winning qualifier last week, Measuredperfection recorded her third win of the season from four starts and now sports a lifetime bankroll of $324,390. The daughter of Swan For All and Kalibrated is owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby and Weaver Bruscemi. Bred by Concord Stud Farm LLC, Measuredperfection has now won seven of 17 lifetime starts.
Earlier in the evening, the first division produced another gate-to-wire effort from post-time favourite, Kotas Swan. Using their customary front-stepping tactics, Kotas Swan and Sam Widger found their way to the winner’s circle to record their third straight stakes victory and second straight Indiana Sires Stakes win.
When the gate opened, Kotas Swan went straight for the lead while the 2018 Indiana Sires Stakes Super Final champ, Kissesforall (Peter Wrenn), also left alertly for position from post eight. Kotas Swan held onto her lead through opening fractions of :27.2 and :56.4 before ever feeling a threat from the rest of the field.
Kotas Swan bolstered her lead through the third quarter in 1:25.4 and trotted strongly through the stretch, only to be challenged by a fast-charging Always Be With You (Mike Oosting) a few strides before the finish line. Kota’s Swan crossed the wire first, stopping the clock in 1:55 while Always Be With You had to settle for second. Summit City Swan (Brandon Bates) also staged a late rally to round out the trifecta.
Kotas Swan paid $3.20 to win.
“She’s gotten a lot more solid the more we race her,” trainer Jeff Cullipher revealed after the win. “She’s pretty easy on herself, which is always helpful.”
Kotas Swan, a daughter of Swan For All and Casual Chick, now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $207,051 for owners Pollack Racing LLC and Jeff Cullipher. Bred by Double A Acres, the filly has now won nine of 26 lifetime starts.
Indiana Sires Stakes action will continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Thursday (Aug. 15), with a 14-race card featuring two divisions for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings. Thursday’s card will also be highlighted by a $10,000 guaranteed Pick-4 pool in races three through six and a $10,000 guaranteed Hoosier High-5 pool in race 14. With a daily post time of 6:30 p.m., live racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park will follow a Tuesday-through-Saturday schedule and be conducted through Nov. 9. For more information on the upcoming entertainment or live racing schedule, please visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.
(Harrah's Hoosier Park)