by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Sweet Justice, with Trace Tetrick at the lines, stormed home a winner to pull off the upset in the co-featured event of the evening, the third round of Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts, at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday (June 27).

Sweet Justice was able to take advantage of a miscue by the heavy betting favorite, Red Hot Herbie, to score in a lifetime best effort of 1:56.3.

Linscott Photography

Sweet Justice scored in a lifetime best 1:56.3.

Leaving from post four, Sweet Justice was unhurried out of the gate and landed fourth along the rail. Red Hot Herbie, piloted by Sam Widger, used his quick speed to burst off the gate and find the front through an opening panel in :26.4. Fearless Man and driver Dave Magee benefitted from a pocket trip while Russell Mania and Ed Hensley were next along the rail in third.

Red Hot Herbie continued to call the shots through the half-mile time in :57.1 before making a costly break and eliminating his chances for a second consecutive win.

Fearless Man inherited the front as the field reached the three-quarter mark in 1:27.1. Tetrick gave Sweet Justice the green light and was the first to take aim at the leader around the final turn.

As the field closed in on the leader, Tetrick asked Sweet Justice for more and the 3-year-old gelding responded with a :29.2 final quarter to reach the wire a length in front of his closest competitor. Russell Mania trotted evenly to finish a closing second while Fearless Man held on gamely to round out the trifecta.

Dismissed at 7-1, Sweet Justice returned $17.80 for the victory.

After a sensational 2-year-old campaign, Sweet Justice notched the second victory of his sophomore season from seven outings. Trained by Steve Carter, the 3-year-old gelded son of Justice Hall has earned $141,441 for his connections of Our Little Stable, Steve Carter and Robert Mondillo. Sweet Justice bested his career mark set in 2012 by nearly three seconds with the score.

Natural Herbie followed suit and made his presence felt in the late stages of the second $30,000 division of the Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts as he rallied sharply to score the upset for trainer, driver and owner Verlin Yoder. With a final time of 1:55.3, the Indiana Sire Stakes champion equaled his lifetime best mark to score the third win of his sophomore season.

Starting from post one, Natural Herbie took advantage of a pocket trip behind the public’s choice, Super Rock and Charlie Conrad, who carved out fractions of :28.2, :58.1, and 1:27.

Just as the race appeared to be over, Natural Herbie found another gear and was able to overcome Super Rock in the final strides of the mile. Super Rock finished a game second while Just A Steady Hall got up for the third place finish.

Natural Herbie returned $8.80 for the victory.

Sired by Here Comes Herbie, Natural Herbie pushed his lifetime bankroll to $169,545 while notching his seventh victory from 16 career outings. Natural Herbie has now won two consecutive sire stakes outings at Hoosier Park.

The Indiana Gold Sire Stakes action will continue at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday (June 28) as two divisions of 3-year-old pacing fillies will go postward for $30,000 each. The 3-year-old pacing colts will follow suit and highlight Hoosier Park’s card on Saturday (June 29).