Anderson, IN — Coach Stefanos put his undefeated 2023 record on the line in Friday’s (July 21) lone $96,000 Indiana Sires Stakes event for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, and he was handed his first loss of the year as Buzzsaw Russ — last season’s champion 2-year-old — pulled a mild 9-2 upset and equaled the divisional track record of 1:48.2.

Leaving from post two in the field of eight, driver John DeLong settled Buzzsaw Russ into the pocket while Why Not Now (LeWayne Miller) called the shots through a :27.2 opening quarter and a :55.3 half. Not content to leave Why Not Now alone on the lead any longer, Trace Tetrick gave Coach Stefanos his signal from third, quickly moving first-over to engage Why Not Now at three-quarters in 1:22.4 with Buzzsaw Russ stalking intently behind the dueling leaders as the field straightened for home.

In the stretch, DeLong angled Buzzsaw Russ immediately to the rail to make it a three-way battle for the lead as Why Not Now and Coach Stefanos both began to drift. Buzzsaw Russ wasted no time shooting the gap, powering home along the pylons behind the strength of a :25.2 homestretch blitz and scoring by just over two lengths in 1:48.2. Coach Stefanos nosed out Why Not Now for second.

Buzzsaw Russ rocketed home with a :52.3 back half to equal the Hoosier track record for sophomore pacing geldings. Dean Gillette Photography.

Missy Essig trains Buzzsaw Russ, a Rockin Image-Up Front Cruiser gelding who has now won twice in six starts this season and has banked $324,775, for owners Russell Beeman and Charles Weaver. The 1:48:2 mile matched the track record for 3-year-old pacing geldings established by JK Victory in the 2022 edition of the Hoosier Cup and gave DeLong his third driving victory on the card.

The racing week at Harrah’s Hoosier Park concludes on Saturday (July 22) with two $48,500 divisions of Indiana Sires Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies highlighting a 12-race card. First post is 7 p.m. For more information on live racing and entertainment at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.