Anderson, IN — If you backed Chandler Bing on Friday (Aug. 16) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, he was there for you with a 62-1 upset in his third-leg Indiana Sires Stakes division for 2-year-old pacing colts. Meanwhile, the aptly-named Hopeyaliketheshow followed suit with a mild 7-2 upset of his own in the second split.
With Jay Cross driving, Chandler Bing left from post two in the eight-horse $67,500 first division. Cross settled Chandler Bing in third while Freaky Feet Beast (Jordan Ross) took command of a leisurely pace, reaching the quarter first in :29.2. Even-money favorite Deal The Odds (Joey Putnam) moved from the pocket to take over for Freaky Feet Beast at the half in :57.3. The pace begin to pick up on the final turn, with Cross tipping Chandler Bing from third to lead the charge first-over, 3-1/2 lengths behind Deal The Odds at three-quarters in 1:26.
The sprint for home began in the lane with Chandler Bing reaching the wheel of Deal The Odds while Freaky Feet Beast looked to make his move up the passing lane. Rocketing home in :25.4, Chandler Bing surged to the lead before scooting away by 2-1/4 lengths in a career best 1:52.2. Deal The Odds held gamely for second, with Freaky Feet Beast finishing third.
A winner now in two of six seasonal starts with earnings of $45,290, Chandler Bing is trained by Alvin Miller, who shares ownership with Twila Harts. The gelded son of Tellitlikeitis-Northern Beauty was bred by Glen Yoder.
Chandler Bing paid $126.80 to win.
Hopeyaliketheshow teamed up with driver Trace Tetrick and used similar first-over tactics to score in the $67,000 second division. Hopeyaliketheshow got away fourth from post six while the previously unbeaten Big Al DeRosa (Jordan Ross) led the field of seven to the quarter in :27.2. The 1-2 favorite went unchallenged to the half in :56.2 before Tetrick right-lined Hopeyaliketheshow to begin his first-over trek on the final turn. Hopeyaliketheshow went right at Big All DeRosa, and the two rookies paced as a team to three-quarters in 1:25.3.
Turning for home, the two pacers continued to exchange blows in the lane before Hopeyaliketheshow grabbed a short lead in mid-stretch. Pacing home in :27, Hopeyaliketheshow edged clear late to reach the wire a length in front in a career-best 1:52.2. Big Bad Moses (Ricky Macomber Jr.) rallied late to finish second, with Starlit Millertime (Joey Putnam) rallying up the passing lane to finish third.
Ron Burke trainee Hopeyaliketheshow is a two-time winner in six career outings for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Beasty and Knox Services. Bred by Randy, Tyler and Zane Wilt, the gelded son of JK Endofanera-Don’t Forget boasts a bankroll of $79,968.
The week of racing concludes at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Saturday (Aug. 17), with a 12-race card slated to begin at 7 p.m. Three-year-old pacing fillies will take center stage in a lone $94,500 Indiana Sires Stakes, carded as the 10th race. Meanwhile, the card will get underway with a carryover of $2,853.13 in the Early Pick-5 (races 1-5) with a guaranteed pool of $10,000. Free online programs are available daily on the Hoosier Park website.