Sophomore pacing fillies took center stage in the fifth leg of Indiana Sires Stakes action on Friday (Sept. 11) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Divisional winners Somebodyslilly and Genie Rockwell turned in impressive performances to capture their respective divisions.
The action kicked off with Somebodyslilly playing the role of post-time favourite and making good on her 1/9 favouritism to find the winner’s circle in 1:50. Somebodyslilly equaled her lifetime best and recorded her fifth-consecutive victory with the win.
When the wings of the gate opened, Brandon Bates guided Rock It Out immediately to the front, while Somebodyslilly with Michael Oosting opted to wait in third through the first quarter in :26.4. Approaching the half, Oosting moved Somebodyslilly to attack from first-over, passing the half in :55.
Remaining unchallenged to three-quarters in 1:23.3, Somebodyslilly remained ahead of the field by a little over a length. As the field turned for home, Grace Rocks with Joey Putnam moved from last and charged towards the leader. Though Grace Rocks paced a final quarter of :25.3, Somebodyslilly held her at bay, crossing the wire in 1:50. Grace Rocks settled for second while Maggie Rhee with Ricky Macomber Jr. moved from mid-pack for third. Somebodyslilly paid $2.20 to win.
“I decided I didn’t want to push her too hard so I waited until the quarter to move her down the backside,” Oosting said after the win. “Someone would’ve had to really challenge her to get by at that point. She seems to be really finding herself right now. I’m hoping that she continues to race this well.”
Somebodyslilly is owned, trained and was bred by Eli Schwartz. The daughter of Time To Roll-Somebodys Artist has now won seven of 17 starts and sports a lifetime bankroll of $130,100.
The second division saw a 7-1 upset by Genie Rockwell, who turned in an impressive effort to lower her lifetime mark by over a second to 1:49. With trainer-driver James Yoder at the lines, Genie Rockwell paid $16.20 to win.
As the gate opened, even-money favourite Priceless with Brandon Bates grabbed the lead with Mystical Carrie and Trace Tetrick opting for the pocket trip. Genie Rockwell with James Yoder settled in third, while the field remained in straight formation through fractions of :27.2, :54.2 and 1:22.
As the field turned for home, Priceless was still on top but Genie Rockwell was not going to hand over a victory. Surging forward, Genie Rockwell found racing room up the inside and matched strides with a tiring Priceless. Saving her best for last, Genie Rockwell overcame Priceless by a length, stopping the clock in 1:49. Mystical Carrie with Trace Tetrick rallied from the grandstand side, digging in gamely for second, while Priceless held on for third.
“The trip worked out great for her but I did have to ask her to pace in the stretch,” Yoder said after the victory. “She’s a lot better with faster fractions in front of her. She can be a bit of a handful with a lot of sass, but she’s an absolute sweetheart when she wins a race; she definitely knows when she wins a race.”
The daughter of Always A Virgin-Norma Rockwell was bred by Glen Hershberger and Marlin Fry. With tonight’s win, Genie Rockwell has won five of 18 lifetimes starts and surpassed the $100,000 with a new lifetime bankroll of $104,455 for owner Marlin Fry.
With Friday’s Pick-5 sequence going unsolved, producing a $2,366.37 carryover, the Pick-5 pool will be guaranteed at $10,000. Racing action will continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Saturday (Sept. 12) with both an Open Trot and an Open Pace.
(Harrah's Hoosier Park)