Anderson, IN–Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino highlighted the Tuesday, September 15 harness racing card with a quartet of Indiana Sires Stakes divisions for the freshmen trotters and it was a night ruled by favorites as the post time favorite delivered in all four divisions. The two-year-olds completed the fifth round of their round six series and secured valuable points for the $250,000 Super Finals slated 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 to score as the 2-5 favorite. 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 as he dictated fractions of :28.2, :58.0, and 1:26.3 before trotting strong 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.
Trace Tetrick was back in the winner’s circle just a few races later after steering 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 favorite, 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 equaled her established best and recorded her fifth 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 favorite 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 4-1/4 length victory for trainer Melanie Wrenn.
Shirley Goodness delivered as the heavy betting favorite in her split of the stakes action for two-year-old trotting fillies.
–Dean Gillette Photography
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.
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 will feature 111 racing programs and follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule throughout the season. With a daily post time of 6:30 p.m., live racing will be conducted through Nov. 21. For more information on the live racing schedule, please visit www.harrahshoosierpark.
Emily Ratcliff | Race Marketing Manager and Commentator