After busy week of Sire Stakes action that featured everything from undefeated freshmen, track record performances and longest shots on the board in the winner’s circle, the week had a much more formul conclusion.
The Sunday night (Sept. 12) card at Harrah’s Hoosier Park featured two divisions of the penultimate leg seven of Indiana Sire Stakes for three-year-old filly trotters in races seven and eight.
In the $47,000 first division, the bettors would not be deterred by an uncharacteristic break in 2020 Indiana Sire Stakes champion Swift Swanda’s last outing, sending the Swan For All filly and red hot driver Trace Tetrick to the gate at odds of 1-9.
Tetrick put the heavy favourite in play early, crossing over from post five on the opening turn to lead the field through a :28 first quarter with Dewtifuls Grace and LeWayne Miller following in the pocket. Swift Swanda remained unchallenged up the backstretch, backing the pace down to the tune of a :57.1 half. Tetrick continued to have things his way on the turn through three-quarters in 1:26.1. Following the :58.1 middle half, Tetrick hit the gas in the stretch with Dewtifuls Grace remaining tight in the pocket as the two gained separation from the field. Swift Swanda braced for the challenge from the LeWayne Miller trainee up the passing lane before Dewtifuls Grace jumped it off at the eighth pole. Swift Swanda continued on to cruise to a three-length 1:54.2 victory. Four Under Par and John De Long got up for place, with Ima Diamond Babe and James Yoder rounding out the trifecta.
Swift Swanda was the second winner on the night for trainer Erv Miller following a race 5 score with Ezra. She was also the sixth winner in as many drives at that point in the night for Tetrick.
The daughter of Swan For All has now won seven of 10 on the season for owners Anthony Lombardi and The Kales Company LLC. Bred by Lavon Miller of Indiana, Swift Swanda has now won 13 of 22 in her career and banked $378,680 in lifetime earnings.
The $47,500 second division immediately followed, this time with 4-5 favouritism landing on the LeWayne Miller-trained and driven Country Girl Charm.
In the early stages, Miller took back with Country Girl Charm, landing in the fifth position in the field of six as Queen Of All and John De Long set the pace at :28. On the backstretch, Sam Widger quarter moved from third with Treasure Gems K to take command at the half in :573 as Country Girl Charm launched her first-over bid from the backfield. On the final turn, Treasure Gems K led the field to the three-quarter station in 1:27 with Queen Of All now boxed in the pocket and Country Girl Charm within striking distance from outside third. Country Girl Charm struck the lead in the stretch with Queen Of All finding room and splitting rivals as the two battled to the wire. Country Girl Charm gamely held on by a head at the line, digging in following the taxing first-over mile with a :274 final quarter to score the victory in 1:55.1 over Queen Of All. Voluptuous Swan and Jordan Ross finished third.
With her third victory of the season in eight starts, the daughter of Whom Shall I Fear has now banked more than $100,000 on the season for owners Ryan Raber, L&S Racing, D&S Racing and the JW Stable. The bargain $6,000 yearling purchase has won eight of 16 in her career on her way to earning $248,015.
Live racing retunes to Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Wednesday, Sept. 15 with a 14-race card highlighted by two division each of Indiana Sire Stakes for freshman trotting colts and fillies. The race 13 $66,000 second division for the two-year-old trotting colts and geldings features a highly anticipated matchup between three undefeated colts, Dover In Motion, Head Games and Ponda Adventure. Post time is 6:30 p.m.
(With files from Hoosier Park)