A trio of divisions of the second leg of Indiana Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings headlined the 14-race Thursday (July 24) card at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, with the photo finish camera needed to determine Swan Bi Bi and Hawt Yoga the winners of the first two splits, and Swan Affect rolling for his second straight stakes score in the third.
In the $45,500 first division, Swan Bi Bi teamed up with driver Jordan Ross to leave from post two as the 2-1 second choice. Ross secured the pocket trip with Swan Bi Bi early while Muscle Technician (Doug Rideout) left alertly to take the field of seven to the quarter in 28 2/5. The field followed in line behind the 16-1 leader to the half in 58 1/5 when Skyway Awestruck (Mike Peterson) tipped from third and moved alongside Muscle Technician to grab a short lead at three-quarters in 1:28 3/5.
Swan Bi Bi tipped off the cones and followed Skyway Awestruck's move before taking dead-aim midway through the lane. Swan Bi Bi surged to the lead before facing a late threat from a surging Dan D Man Can (Atlee Bender) who fired up a 26 3/5 final quarter but would come up a quarter-length short of Swan Bi Bi, who trotted home in 27 2/5 to trip the timer in a career-best 1:56 2/5. Skyway Awestruck held for show, 4 1/4 lengths behind the winner.
Trained by Henry Graber Jr., Swan Bi Bi has now won three of four to start his career, banking $31,750 for owners Indiana Stables, Frank Baldachino, Beasty LLC., and Beentherdonethat Racing. The gelded son of Swan For All-Bange Bi was bred by Ernie Lambright.
The $46,000 second division proved to be even tighter, with three noses separated on the wire and Hawt Yoga pulling the mild 9-2 upset. Leaving from post six with trainer Ricky Macomber Jr. in the bike, Hawt Yoga asserted himself early, grabbing command of the field of eight through an opening quarter of 28 4/5. On the front for the first time in a charted line, Hawt Yoga tapped the brakes while being chased along by Macomber Jr. before the pocket-sitting 1-9 favorite Mcmikenmike (Marcus Miller) moved to the top before the half in 59 3/5. The pace set by the leaders continued to be tepid on the final turn before Bravo Alpha (Doug Rideout) tipped from third with a head of steam to move alongside Mcmikenmike at three-quarters in 1:30 2/5.
The sprint for home ensued as Bravo Alpha and Mcmikenmike exchanged blows on top while the rail began to open up for Hawt Yoga to join the battle. Trotting home in 28 seconds, Hawt Yoga timed his move up the cones just right as he got his nose on the wire first over Bravo Alpha, and a head in front of Mcmikenmike to break his maiden in 1:58 4/5.
After finishing third in his career debut in round one of Sire Stakes, Hawt Yoga broke his maiden in his second start for owners Macomber Racing and Parkview Stables. The gelded son of Swan For All-Golden Muscle was bred by Haven Lane Farm and sports earnings of $27,260.
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The $46,000 third and final division saw a clash of three of the four round one winners where Swan Affect and LeWayne Miller got the best of it at odds of 6-1. Leaving from post seven, Swan Affect floated away in fourth on the first turn, yet to find a seat along the cones while Premier Bluebird (John De Long) cut the quarter in 28 2/5. Sunday Swagger (Kyle Wilfong) opted to pass on the pocket trip and move to the top through a half of 58 seconds while Swan Affect was finally able to find a seat in third. Premier Bluebird jumped it off in the pocket around the final turn, allowing Swan Affect to move into second while spotting Sunday Swagger 3 1/2 lengths at three-quarters in 1:26 4/5.
Swan Affect quickly closed the gap to the Wilfong helmet at the top of the lane before moving alongside Sunday Swagger with an eighth of a mile to go. Swan Affect grabbed a short lead before Sunday Swagger went off stride, allowing Swan Affect to coast home a winner by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:55 4/5. Kountry Tab (Atlee Bender) finished second, while Great Commission (Aaron Stutzman) and Winnin Dallars (Ricky Macomber Jr.) finished in a dead-heat for fourth but were placed third as Sunday Swagger was set down to seventh due to the extended brake in the lane.
After finishing second to Swan Bi Bi in his career debut, Swan Affect has won each of the two races since for trainer Walter Haynes Jr. Owned by John Mcgill, who also bred the son of Swan For All-Flower Hour with Lavon Miller, Swan Affect has now earned $43,000.
Racing continues at Harrah's Hoosier Park on Friday (July 25) with a 14-race card that features two divisions of Indiana Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies. The Friday card also includes $10,000 guarantee in the late Hoosier High 5 (race 14) done in partnership with the USTA's Strategic Wagering Program.
--press release (Harrah's Hoosier Park)--