It was a night ruled by upsets at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday, Aug. 30 as the post-time favourite faltered in 10 of the evening’s 14 races. Two $67,000 divisions of Indiana Sires Stakes for the two-year-old trotting colts and geldings were featured on the evening's card and both followed suit with upset winners.
The first division landed a 34-1 upset winner in the winner’s circle as Matt Krueger steered Help Page to a 1:56.1 victory for trainer Roger Welch. The colt utilized a ground-saving trip to get up the inside passing lane and score the victory over the heavily favoured Texsong Soprano and John DeLong by a head. It was a maiden breaking victory for Help Page, who returned a hefty $70.40 at the betting windows.
With the victory, the gelded son of Helpisontheway-Many Happy Returns pushed his lifetime bankroll to $64,075. Help Page is owned by Harmony Oaks Racing Stable, James Crawford IV and Rich Preziotti.
In the second division, Brookview Darius and driver Atlee Bender utilized similar ground-saving tactics to get up in the final strides of the mile and score in 1:57.1. Sent off at odds of 12-1, Brookview Darius found late racing room up the inside to track down Talent Scout and Trace Tetrick steps before the wire. After opting for a trip off the pace, the heavily favoured Jailhouse Dance and Michael Oosting rallied well late but were forced to settle for third. Slightly dismissed at the betting windows, Brookview Darius returned $26.80 to his backers.
Trained by Erv Miller, the gelded son of Swan For All-Wittys Winner recorded his third win from seven seasonal starts. The 1:57.1 final time equalled his career best. Brookview Darius has now earned $65,188 in his young career and is owned in partnership by The Kales Company, Engel Stable of IL and Louis Willinger.
Live harness racing and Indiana Sires Stakes action continues at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday, Sept. 1 with two divisions of stakes for the two-year-old pacing fillies highlighting the evening’s 14-race card.
(With files from Hoosier Park)