Indiana Sire Stakes action continued at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday night (Aug. 19), with two $68,000 divisions for the two-year-old-pacing colts and geldings highlighting the 14-race card. It was leg three of six for the freshman pacing colts as they look to secure crucial points for the $250,000 Indiana Sire Stakes Super Finals on Oct. 14.
In the first division going off as Race 10 on the card, Buzzsaw Russ rewarded the betting public’s backing as the 2-5 choice.
Leaving from post position three, John De Long hustled Buzzsaw Russ into the pocket position as Art It Is and Brandon Bates took the field to the quarter in a solid :27. Art It Is remained unchallenged on the engine through a half of :56.1 before Trace Tetrick hustled the Fox Stakes champion, Coach Stefanos, into the mix first-over to the leader’s wheel at three-quarters in 1:23.4.
In the stretch, Coach Stefanos and Tetrick forged to the lead as Buzzsaw Russ and De Long patiently waited for the passing lane. Buzzsaw Russ then exploded up the pylons in the final eighth to track down Coach Stefanos in the shadow of the wire and score the victory in a lifetime-best 1:51.1. Art It Is held on for third to round out the trifecta.
The victory was the second in Sire Stakes action and the third in four career starts for the Missy Essig-trained gelding by Rockin Image out of the Yankee Cruiser mare Up Front Cruiser. Bred by Devon Beech and Devon Knepp, Buzzsaw Russ has now banked $84,160 for owners Russell Beeman and Charles Weaver.
In the second division in the evening’s 12th race, Flirtin JK and Ricky Macomber Jr. turned in an impressive effort to pull off the upset 12-1.
Leaving from post six, Flirtin JK got away fifth in the field of seven as Trace Tetrick guided the heavily favoured and unbeaten J B Gram to the front at the quarter in :28. J B Gram maintained his lead through the half in :56 before leading the field to three-quarters in 1:24.2 as Flirtin JK and Macomber launched their bid from fourth on the far turn six lengths behind the leader.
Flirtin JK used a :26.3 final quarter to gobble up ground in the stretch and make up the deficit, joining J B Gram on the lead late in the lane before getting up by a length and a quarter on the line to score in 1:52.1. J B Gram held for second while Adam Twelve and Joey Putnam finished third.
Flirtin JK is trained by Jamie Macomber, who co-owns the gelding along with breeder James Stonecipher. He picked up his second win in five career starts and has now earned $54,470. The 1:52.1 time was a lifetime best for the son of JK Endofanera out of the Mcardle mare Mcflirty.
Also in action on the Friday night card, Tellmeaboutit bounced back a week after a ninth place effort in the $315,000 Dan Patch Stakes to Bulldog Hanover, with an eye-popping 1:47.4 front-end score in the $22,000 Open Pace with Mike Oosting aboard. Little Rocket Man and John De Long rallied for second, with Macs Big Boy and Trace Tetrick finishing third.
The 1:47.4 effort was a lifetime best for the two-time Indiana Sire Stakes champion son of Tellitlikeitis. He pushed his gaudy career bankroll to $743,065 for owners Twila Harts and Alvin Miller, who trains the six-year-old gelding.
Tellmeaboutit's winning time is the fastest mile of the 2022 meet thus far at Harrah’s Hoosier Park surpassing the 1:48 mark previously held by Sectionline Bigry.
Harness racing continues at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Saturday, Aug. 20 with a 12-race card set to get underway at 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Hoosier Park)