Sophomore pacing colts & geldings were back in the spotlight and as predicted, turned in ultra-competitive stakes performances on Friday, September 13 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. The evening featured two $49,000 divisions in leg seven of eight for the division as the horses prepare for the upcoming Stakes Super Finals next month. Each division produced slight upsets with victories from Shamwow and Tellmeaboutit.
In division one, Shamwow turned in a gritty performance to get the victory over rival Rockie Got Framed. After finishing second to Rockie Got Framed in his last two starts, Shamwow was able to turn the tables and stop the timer in 1:50, just a tick off his lifetime best, for trainer Melissa Essig.
When the wings of the gate opened, Rockie Got Framed with Ricky Macomber Jr. quickly grabbed the lead, as they were looking their third consecutive stakes win. Alwaysasweetvictory with Todd Warren settled in second while Shamwow with LeWayne Miller waited patiently in third, poised to attack through the opening quarter in :27. At the half in :55:3, Miller guided Shamwow to the outside and urged him to the front to grab the lead from Rockie Got Framed who was content to sit in the pocket.
Ima Real Ladys Man with Michael Oosting began pressuring the leader at the third quarter in 1:23:4 and was able to stick a nose in front as the field turned for home. The top trio matched strides in the stretch and it appeared to be anyone’s race. Using a :26.1 final quarter, Shamwow fought back gamely to stick a nose in front and reach the wire first, followed by Rockie Got Framed in second and Ima Real Ladys Man in third. Shamwow paid $5.20 to win at the betting windows.
“I knew I wanted to be forwardly placed,” driver LeWayne Miller noted in the winner’s circle. “We’ve been trying to teach him how to race and that was a big mile tonight by him. He raced really strong.”
Shamwow, the son of Always A Virgin-Bolero, has won five of eight lifetime starts and has yet to finish worse than second in his young career. Unraced as a two-year-old, Shamwow now sports a lifetime bankroll of $96,875 for owner, breeder Cornerstone Stock Farm.
Not to be outdone, division two was the fastest division of the night as Tellmeaboutit with Michael Oosting found the winner’s circle after a sizzling 1:48:4 effort. The 1:48.4 time was a new lifetime best for sophomore colt and just one-fifth of a second off of the current track record for three-year-old pacing geldings.
Pure Rock with Rick Plano used their customary front-running tactics to grab the lead from the coveted post five. Jagger Rocks with Sam Widger followed in second while Tellmeaboutit waited patiently in third. The field remained in straight formation through an opening split of :25:4, but just before the half Jagger Rocks was given the green light and grabbed the front position at the half in a snappy :53:2.
Tellmeaboutit began his attack on the leader when Oosting moved him second-over and he was able to take the lead just before the third quarter in 1:21:4. Tellmeaboutit used the long quarter-mile stretch to bolster his lead on the field, and ultimately crossed the wire three lengths to the good. Little Rocket Man with Trace Tetrick rallied from well back for second while Ollies Ztam with Ricky Macomber Jr. dug in for third. Tellmeaboutit paid $8.20 to win for his betting backers.
“I’ve always known he’s a nice colt,” trainer Alvin Miller revealed after the victory. “We’re just trying to keep everything together. He’s got a little bit of an ornery streak in him. I always knew he could go that fast, just wasn’t sure how far.”
Tellmeaboutit is the son of Tellitlikeitis-Portia Blue Chip and has now won nine of 23 lifetime starts. Bred by Lavon Miller, he now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $186,930 for owners Twila Harts and Alvin Miller.
Live racing action will continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Saturday, September 14. The evening’s live racing card will feature both a $20,000 Open Pace and a $20,000 Open Trot. Indiana Sires Stakes action will return to Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Tuesday, September 17 with a 12-race card featuring two divisions for the two-year-old trotting colts & geldings.
(Hoosier)