The favorites delivered in round three of Indiana Sire Stakes for the 3-year-old pacing fillies, with Tarshish and Can'ttouchthese each steamrolling first-up on the way to career-best efforts on Saturday (June 28) at Harrah's Hoosier Park.
Tarshish teamed up with pilot Marvin Luna as the 1-5 bettors' choice in the $49,500 first division. Leaving from post four, Tarshish secured the fourth spot early while Wunderkindbluechip (driven by Atlee Bender) grabbed command of the field of eight through a quarter of 27 2/5. Brookview Fancy (Kyle Wilfong) tipped from third and brushed to the lead before reaching the half in 55 seconds when Tarshish tipped off the cones entering the final turn. Tarshish eased her way into third on the outside while Brookview Fancy remained on the accelerator to three-quarters in a stiff 1:22 2/5.
Tarshish wheeled alongside a tiring Brookview Fancy before powering clear of the field midway through the lane. Pacing home in 27 2/5, Tarshish cruised to a 2 3/4 length 1:50 1/5 score as Wunderkindbluechip shook loose late off the cones to rally for second over Vel Cinderella (Marcus Miller).
Walter Haynes Jr. trains the winning daughter of Luck Be Withyou-The Party's Rockin for owner Joanne Samples. Tarshish has now won five of six on the season, banking $68,000 on the season and $215,255 lifetime.
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After tasting defeat for the first time this season in her last race to Tarshish, Can'ttouchthese rebounded as the 1-9 favorite in the $49,000 second division. Can'ttouchthese and John De Long floated out in fourth from post five while Angelatyourfeet (Jordan Ross) cut the opening quarter from the rail in 27 1/5. Angelatyourfeet went unchallenged to the half in 55 seconds when De Long right-lined the favorite, charging first-over alongside the leader at three-quarters in 1:23 2/5.
Can'ttouchthese grabbed a short lead midway through the lane while Angelatyourfeet battled to her inside. Can'ttouchthese wore down a game Angelatyourfeet in deep stretch, getting the win by a length in 1:50 3/5 with Kaks The Boss (Marvin Luna) finishing third at 43-1, 3 1/4 lengths behind the winner.
Roger Welch trains the winning homebred daughter of JK Endofanera-Can't Touch This for owners William and Patrick De Long and Douglas Riccolo. The reigning Sire Stakes champion has won three of four on the season, good for $69,250 in seasonal earnings and $369,370 lifetime.
Leading driver Trace Tetrick had a banner night, racking up six winners on the evening, while John De Long had a hat trick. Four of Tetrick's victories came for leading trainer Tyler George, while Rick Plano also picked up three training victories on the night.
Racing returns to Harrah's Hoosier Park on Tuesday, July 1 with a 14-race card set to get underway at 6:15 p.m.
--press release (Harrah's Hoosier Park)--