Anderson, IN — The opening round of the Indiana Sires Stakes highlighted the Wednesday (May 29) program at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and featured two $48,000 divisions for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

Grand Swan won her seasonal debut in the opening round of the Indiana Sires Stakes. Linscott Photography.

Indiana’s 2-year-old trotting filly champion Grand Swan kicked off her 3-year-old campaign in impressive fashion and looked every the bit the part of a 4-5 favorite as she powered home a winner in 1:54.3. In her first start of the season, Grand Swan overcame a first-over trip to score in a new lifetime best for driver/trainer LeWayne Miller.

Leaving from the rail, Grand Swan was unhurried from the gate and settled along the rail in fourth. Measuredperfection and Ricky Macomber Jr. left alertly to take command and led the field through opening fractions of :28.2 and :58. Pink Tulip and Doug Rideout benefited from a pocket trip and as the field approached the final turn, Miller had Grand Swan on the attack first-over.

Grand Swan ranged up and was matching strides with the leader at the third station in 1:26.4. Miller asked his mount for more and she dug in gamely, trotting home in :27.3 and finishing 2-1/2 lengths in front of Morairtime and John DeLong who rallied well late for second. Measuredperfection held on for third. As the heavy betting favorite, Grand Swan returned $3.80 to her backers at the betting windows.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect off of her qualifiers,” Miller noted after the win. “She’s been good all winter but she was quiet in both of her qualifiers. The trip worked out like I thought it would and she did everything I asked her.”

“She’s grown up, she’s stronger this year but she still loves her job. She loves to chase horses and her attitude is what sets her apart. We staked her to a few Grand Circuit events this season, like the Matron and the Bluegrass, if all goes well, we will give her a shot.”

The daughter of Swan For All-Queen Mum recorded her first win of the season and ninth lifetime victory from 13 trips behind the gate. With the win, Grand Swan pushed her lifetime earnings over the $200,000 mark for owners Grand Swan Racing, Go Fast Stable, and Never 2 Late Stable.

In the second division of the stakes action, it was Savannah’s Lucy and Todd Warren who pulled the slight upset to score in 1:55 and record her first win of the season. The victory established a new lifetime mark for the daughter of Guccio-Seductive Lady.

Leaving from post six, Savannah’s Lucy left just enough to get a good early spot along the rail in third. The heavy favorite, Swanind Fastlane and LeWayne Miller, went to the front and dictated first half fractions of :27.4 and :56.2 while the rest of the field sorted out early positions.

The field was gapped out approaching the final turn as Swanind Fastlane appeared to be up to the task but Savannah’s Lucy saved her best for last. Utilizing a :28.2 final quarter, Savannah’s Lucy found late racing room and tracked down the leader to get the win in 1:55 by 1-3/4 lengths. Swanind Fastlane held on for second while ER Kim and Don Eash rallied late to get up for third at odds of 58-1. Savannah’s Lucy returned $10.20 at the betting windows for the win.

Trained by Robert Reeser, Savannah’s Lucy improved her lifetime record to three wins from 20 lifetime starts while bankrolling $70,645 in lifetime purse earnings. Savannah’s Lucy is owned in partnership by Deborah Clark and William Clark Jr.

“She grew up nicely this year,” Reeser noted after the win. “She’s a really nice filly who always tries hard. She’s been getting stronger with every start and got away up close tonight which I think really helped her.”

Indiana Sires Stakes action will continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Thursday (May 30) with two divisions for the 3-year-old trotting colts. The evening’s 14-race card will also feature a $10,000 guaranteed Pick-4 sequence in races three-six and a $10,000 guaranteed Hoosier High-5 in race 14. For more information on the upcoming entertainment or live racing schedule, please visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.