Swan Good Bi extended his perfect career record to five-for-five with his fourth victory in the Indiana Sire Stakes (INSS) as all three rookie male trot divisions yielded repeat winners on Saturday, Aug. 22 at Hoosier Park.
Swan Good Bi settled into third on the first turn in the $64,384 third split while Fifty And Famous (Kyle Wilfong) trotted around Temporal Power (John De Long) to lead at the quarter in :27.4. Swan Good Bi moved to the lead on the backstretch, trotting to the half into a strengthening headwind in :58.4. Ponda Cheetah (Marcus Miller) moved first-over and into third around the final turn, while Swan Good Bi cruised to three-quarters in 1:29. Transitioning into the stretch, Swan Good Bi and Fifty And Famous separated from the remainder of the field, with Swan Good Bi holding that foe at bay by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:55.3. Let B Express (Kevin Lambright) got up for the show spot at 29-1.
Now perfect through five starts to begin his career, Swan Good Bi is owned by Indiana Stables LLC, Frank Baldachino, Michael Rosenthal and James Zito. Ernie Lambright bred the Swan For All-Bange Bi gelding, who has earned $116,200 lifetime. The win price was $2.60.
So Joyful scored in the $63,699 first split, converting a pocket trip into an open-length victory with John De Long in the bike for trainer Ernie Gaskin.
Away from the rail as the 4-5 favourite, So Joyful was covered up by Tipsy In Vegas (Jordan Ross), who crossed over and cut the opening quarter in :27.3. The field raced in straight alignment in the middle stages, with Tipsy In Vegas leading through the half in :57 and three-quarters in 1:26.4. Once in the stretch, So Joyful tipped from second and made quick work of the pacesetter, cruising home with a :27.2 final quarter to open up by 2-3/4 lengths on the wire in a career-best 1:54.3. Tipsy In Vegas held second, with Mendoza Mafia (Atlee Bender) finishing third.
So Joyful has won three of six starts, banking $117,116 for owners All-Wright Racing LLC, Brian Code and James Nellinger. The son of Rebuff-Skateaway was bred by Luckiana Farm and Aaron Stutzman. He paid $3.80 to win.
In the $63,699 second division, Nectar Of The Gods overcame the outside post seven to score as the 3-5 favourite with trainer Mike Micallef in the sulky.
Making quick work of his outside starting spot, Nectar Of The Gods crossed over to the cones to take control of the field prior to the opening quarter in :27.1. The tempo slowed on the backstretch, with Beaver (Kiwon Waldron) brushing from fifth to take the top spot at the halfway point in :57.4. Nectar Of The Gods moved back to the point around the final turn, opening up on the field at three-quarters in 1:28.1. Sprinting for home in :27.3, Nectar Of The Gods cruised by three lengths to win in a career-best 1:55.4. Priceless Help (Marcus Miller) snagged the second spot late from Beaver.
Nectar Of The Gods has won four of six starts for owners Bet The House LLC. The Temporal Hanover-Goddess colt was bred by Steve Jones and sports a bankroll of $139,697, having been no worse than second in his young career. He paid $3.20 to win.
Dee Smith won three races on the 14-dash program. The trainer won with Six Sticks Of Gum ($7.20), Folsom Prison ($3.20) and Book The Flight ($5). Smith, a first-year conditioner, is 31-for-260.
Racing will continue at Hoosier Park on Tuesday with a 14-race program set to get underway at 5:30 p.m. The Tuesday card will offer $10,000 guarantees in both the Late Pick 4 (Races 11-14) and Late High 5 (Race 14) in partnership with the USTA's Strategic Wagering Program. There is also a carryover of $8,932 into the Early High 5 (Race 7) on Tuesday. Free online programs for Tuesday are available on the Hoosier Park website.
(With files from Hoosier Park)