A quartet of Indiana Sires Stakes divisions for juvenile trotters highlighted the Tuesday, September 15 card at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. The divisions were ruled by favourites, as the public's choices delivered in all four splits.
The two-year-olds completed the fifth round of their round six series and secured valuable points for the $250,000 Super Finals, which are scheduled for October 16 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
Illini Earl and Trace Tetrick made quick work of the first $39,500 division for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings, as the duo scored as the 2-5 favourite. Stopping the timer in 1:55.1, Illlini Earl finished nearly five lengths in front of his competition, established a new lifetime best, and recorded his second consecutive victory. The Walter Haynes Jr. trainee made every call a winning one. He dictated the fractions in :28.2, :58, and 1:26.3 before trotting strongly to the wire. Owned in partnership by Jeff Fought Racing and Brian Carsey, the son of Jailhouse Jesse—Maevey Gravy has now won two of five lifetime starts. Illini Earl sports a lifetime bankroll of $31,550.
Illini Earl turned in a dominant performance to capture the opening division of stakes action for two-year-old trotting colts.
Trace Tetrick was back in the winner’s circle just a few races later after he steered Swift Swanda to a front-stepping 1:55.2 victory in the first $38,500 division for two-year-old trotting fillies. Sent off as the heavy post time favourite, Swift Swanda made her game winning down the backside and never looked back. Utilizing a :28.2 final quarter, Swift Swanda was able to hold off a late surge from Country Girl Charm and LeWayne Miller to get the win by four lengths. Owned in partnership by Anthony Lombardi and The Kales Company, the daughter of Swan For All-Cheetah Hall equalled her established best and recorded her fifth win from seven lifetime outs with the victory. Swift Swanda has now earned $76,617 in purse earnings and is trained by Erv Miller.
Breckenridge and Dan Shetler continued their winning ways to score in 1:56.1 in the second division of the stakes action for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings. Utilizing his customary front-stepping tactics, Breckenridge dictated fractions of :28.2, :58.1, and 1:27.3 before holding off a late surge from Swingforthefences and Peter Wrenn to get the win by a head. The 1:56.1 clocking was a new lifetime best for the freshman colt and his third consecutive victory in stakes action. The homebred son of Class Included—Dazzling Miss is owned in partnership by Dan Shetler and Dojea Stables and has now bankrolled $87,132 in career earnings. Breckenridge has now won four of seven lifetime starts in his young career.
In the final division for two-year-old trotting fillies, the 1-5 favourite, Shirley Goodness, quarter-moved to command then stepped home in :28.2 to equal her lifetime mark of 1:55.4. The daughter of Swan For All—Stirling Debutant was guided by Peter Wrenn to a four and one quarter-length victory for trainer Melanie Wrenn. Shirley Goodness recorded her fourth win of the season from six lifetime starts. Owned in partnership by Bill Beechy, Bradley Maxwell, and Kenneth Frieder, Shirley Goodness now sports a lifetime bankroll of $54,620.
Shirley Goodness delivered as the heavy betting favourite in her split of the stakes action for two-year-old trotting fillies.
Indiana Sires Stakes action will continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday, September 16. The evening’s 14-race card will also feature a $10,000 Guaranteed Hoosier High-5 pool in the last race of the program.
The 2020 live racing season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park follows a Tuesday through Saturday schedule throughout the season. With a daily post time of 6:30 p.m., live racing will be conducted through November 21. For more information on the live racing schedule, please visit harrahshoosierpark.com.
(Harrah's Hoosier Park)