from Indiana Downs

Shelbyville, IN — Indiana Downs hosted the second round of Indiana Sires Stakes for sophomore colt trotters on Wednesday (August 10), carding two $40,000 divisions. Bluebird Elian, a 1:57.1 winner, and Queens Lonely Earl, victorious with a 1:57.4 performance, each established new lifetime marks in victory.

Bluebird Elian and trainer Dan Shetler took advantage of cover and a :29.4 last quarter to pick up their third seasonal win in seven starts Wednesday. Racing off the lead early through a :28.3 first panel, Shetler and the Southwind Elian colt followed Dream Kid and Ricky Macomber, Jr. in the outer flow. The favorite pushed to the lead through fractions of :57.4 and 1:27.1, but Bluebird Elian was poised to strike on the outside. Turning for home the colt took a one length lead in the stretch and pulled away by 3-1/2 lengths at the wire. C-O-To Bluegrass rallied for second and Dream Kid finished third.

Owned by the Erv Miller Stable and Leland Mathias, the sophomore raised his career earnings to $308,000 with the win. The time lowered Bluebird Elian’s mark by two-fifths of a second. The colt was bred by Daryl Miller.

Racing second turning for home, Queens Lonely Earl and Sam Widger trotted home in :29.1 to collect a 1-1/4 length victory Wednesday in the first $40,000 division. Following the Earl Of Stormont gelding was second choice Genesis Mercury. Floating Ivy rounded out the trifecta while favorite Roydon made an early break and finished ninth.

Bred and owned by W R L Stables, Queens Lonely Earl earned his fourth win in 12 starts. Trained by Mervin Schmucker the 3-year-old dropped his previous best by more than a full second.