by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park

Anderson, IN — Egomania turned in a dominant performance to deliver as the heavy favorite and take home top honors in the featured event of the evening, the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Thursday (July 12) at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.

Dean Gillette photo

Egomania established a national season’s record for 2-year-old pacing colts at Hoosier Park.

Scoring in 1:51.4 with John DeLong in the bike, Egomania recorded his second consecutive win at Hoosier Park and made a clean sweep of the first round of Indiana Sires Stakes action this season. The 1:51.4 clocking established a national season’s mark for 2-year-old pacing colts on a seven-eighths-mile oval and was a new lifetime best for the rookie pacer.

Leaving from post five in a talented field of 10, DeLong sent Egomania away from the gate firing but Elliot Deaton and elimination winner Tellmeaboutit were a step quicker to get the first call through the opening panel in :26.4. Egomania settled in second but not for long. DeLong gave him the green light and he was back out and firing approaching the half in :56.

Egomania led the field through the third split in 1:24.3 with Always Close and Trace Tetrick beginning the first-over attack approaching the final turn. Tellmeaboutit tipped from the pocket late in the lane but Egomania was able to put him away and hold off an impressive late rally from Outloud and Peter Wrenn to get the win by a half-length. Meadowbrook Crown and Sam Widger utilized a ground saving trip to rally for third place honors. As the heavy 1-2 favorite, Egomania returned $3.00 at the betting windows.

“He’s been nice all winter,” said Shane Bowermaster, who handles the training duties for the Indiana contingent of the Brian Brown stable. “But after his qualifier, we knew we had a nice colt. He’s really laid back, versatile, and easy on himself.”

Owned in partnership by Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco, Richard Lombardo, and John Fodera, Egomania has now amassed $47,500 in lifetime purse earnings. The son of Always A Virgin-Has An Attitude is now two-for-two in 2018.

Live racing continues at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday (July 13) with a 13-race card. With a daily post time of 6:30 p.m., live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule and be conducted through Nov. 10. For more information on the upcoming entertainment and live racing schedule, please visit www.hoosierpark.com.