One $95,000 division of Indiana Sires Stakes for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings was the featured event on the evening’s 14-race card at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday, August 19.
Swingforthefences was able to pull the slight 6-1 upset to score in 1:54.3 for trainer Melanie Wrenn and driver Peter Wrenn. The victory was one of three wins on the program for the husband-wife combo of trainer Melanie Wrenn and driver Peter Wrenn.
Leaving from post seven in the talented field of ten, Wrenn sent Swingforthefences away from the gate to get early position but Brandon Bates had Illini Earl on a mission to the front through the opening quarter in :28. Unable to find a suitable spot along the rail, Swingforthefences pressed on to the lead and reached command just before the half in :56.3. Swingforthefences yielded the lead to Predator And Prey (Jared Finn) and was content with a pocket trip. Predator And Prey continued to call the shots through the three-quarters in 1:26 but the field was winding up to strike behind him.
Just as Predator And Prey was beginning to tire on the front, Swingforthefences was ready to strike from the pocket. Finding late racing room up the inside, Swingforthefences trotted strongly to the wire to get home first by nearly two lengths over Predator And Prey. Illini Earl rounded out the trifecta. Sent off as the public’s third choice, Swingforthefences returned $15.20 to his backers at the betting windows. Brookview Bolt was sent off as the heavy betting favourite but finished fifth after a rough beginning from post ten.
It was the fourth win of the season for Swingforthefences, a son of Swan For All - Sunday Yankee who also sent his earnings for the season over the $100,000 mark. Swingforthefences is owned by David McDuffee and L&L Devisser LLC.
Live harness racing will continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday, August 20 with a 14-race card. With a daily post time of 6:30 pm, live racing will be conducted through December 4.
(Hoosier)