Anderson, IN – Top sophomore pacing fillies Somemore Blue and Whoomp hooked up for the fourth time this season in the $94,000 fifth leg of Indiana Sire Stakes, and left the night with the series evened at two apiece as Somemore Blue turned the tables on her archrival after a thrilling stretch duel in 1:49.4 for the father-and-son team of Erv and Marcus Miller.
Away from post 2 as the even-money second choice, driver Marcus Miller was intent on grabbing control from the outset, firing off the wings and forcing Whoomp (driven by John DeLong) to take the pocket seat as the duo blitzed to the opening quarter in :25.3. After the dust settled from the early skirmish, Somemore Blue tapped the brakes on the backstretch as she took the field of six to the halfway point in :54.3. The top pair began to separate on the far turn, with Miller kicking out the plugs in preparation for the stretch battle and Whoomp beginning to edge from the pocket at three-quarters in 1:23.1.
Somemore Blue cut the corner sharply into the stretch, leaving Whoomp a length and a half to make up as the fillies sped to the eighth pole. Whoomp began to do her best work late, but could not reach Somemore Blue, who held her at bay by a neck on the wire in 1:49.4. It’s My Story (Brandon Bates) rallied from last to be third, 4-1/4 lengths behind the top pair at 31-1.
Somemore Blue has won four of six races this year, with her two defeats being runner-up efforts to Whoomp. For her career, the daughter of Rockin Image-Missomebeach Blue has won 11 of 16, banking $452,691 lifetime for owners Stepbystep Racing, Ken Duffy, Lava Java Stable and Never 2 Late Stable. Whoomp returned $4 to win.
It was one of five victories on the night for Marcus Miller, who won the first three races on the card aboard Six Sticks of Gum ($5.60, 1:49.3), Bundoran N ($5.80, 1:50.4) and Miss Alexis ($17.60, 1:51.4) before tacking on one more late with Sanday A ($7.80, 1:51.2).
Earlier on the card, Golden Bay N staged a late rally to score in the $22,000 Open Pace with Trace Tetrick aboard for Tyler George.
Away from post 5 in the field of seven, Golden Bay N settled into the pocket while M-M-s Bud (John DeLong) circled him to cut the quarter in a blistering :25.3. The tempo slowed on the backstretch, with M-M-s Bud reaching the half in :54.4 before Coach Stefanos (Marcus Miller) began a first-over rally from fifth. Coach Stefanos stormed to the leader’s wheel on the far turn, with M-M-s Bud reaching three-quarters in 1:23.1 while Golden Bay N stalked the dueling leaders.
Coach Stefanos put away M-M-s Bud at the head of the lane, powering clear before opening the door for Golden Bay N to swing off the cones and take aim at the leader. Rolling home in :26.2, Golden Bay N rallied by the game Coach Stefanos to win by a half-length in 1:49.4. Crooked Smile (Jordan Ross) rallied from the backfield to grab the show spot.
Golden Bay N has won five of 14 on the year, with the 7-year-old Downbytheseaside gelding having banked $281,363 in his career for owners Castaldo Racing Stable and T G Stable. Golden Bay N paid $5 to win.
The week of racing concludes at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Saturday (July 25) with a 14-race program set to get underway at 5:30 p.m. (EDT). The second leg of Indiana Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies highlights the card, in addition to $7,500 guarantees in the Late Pick-4 (races 11-14) and Late High-5 (race 14) offered in partnership with the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program.
Saturday at Harrah’s Hoosier Park also serves as the eighth annual Empire of Hope, and event dedicated to raising funds for the Standardbred Transition Alliance. Fundraising opportunities will be available throughout the property, in addition to family fun entertainment, food trucks, giveaways and a free Amish Country Dinner on the track apron for guests beginning at 5 p.m. while supplies last.
For more information on the 2026 live racing season, visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.