Anderson, IN – A week’s worth of Indiana Sire Stakes action at Harrah’s Hoosier Park wrapped up with the 3-year-old pacing fillies stepping into the spotlight on Saturday night (Sept. 17). Two divisions of seven fillies highlighted the 14-race card, with leg seven of Indiana Sire Stakes picking up right where leg six left off for the sophomore fillies, with Marvelous Marshia and Best Place To Be back in the winner’s circle.

Marvelous Marshia split rivals in the stretch to score in 1:51:1 in the first division of Indiana Sire Stakes action for 3-year-old pacing fillies at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Saturday night. Dean Gillette Photography.

Marvelous Marshia and John De Long kicked off the stakes action for the evening in the seventh race, picking up their third victory in her last four outings. Leaving from post two, De Long opted to take Marvelous Marshia to the rear of the field, settling in sixth in the field of seven as Heidis Image and Joey Putnam led the field to the opening quarter in a hot :26:3.

Trace Tetrick guided Need To Breathe out of the pocket for a backstretch brush to the front end at the half way point in :55:2. Need To Breathe received little time for a breather in the middle half as JJ Endofanera challenged first over on the far turn through three-quarters in 1:23:3 as Marvelous Marshia and De Long were marred in heavy traffic fifth on the rail.

As the battle unfolded at the top of the lane, De Long and Marvelous Marshia surgically began making their way through traffic, eventually splitting rivals late towards the center of the track and surging through the gap with a :27 final quarter to score the victory in 1:51:1. JK’s Rollin Baby and Michael Oosting finished a half length back in second, with Need To Breathe and Trace Tetrick rounding out the trifecta.

Marvelous Marshia returned $7 to her backers at the betting windows.

Owned by William, Patrick and Mia De Long along with Marsha Lewis-Veitia, the Roger Welch trainee has picked up five victories with three seconds and two third-place finishes in 11 seasonal starts this year. Bred by Marc and Maynard Bontager, the daughter of Always A Virgin out of the Sportsmaster mare, Honey’s Luck has now banked $122,040 on the season and $167,899 for her career.

Best Place To Be made it three-straight in Indiana Sire Stakes with in the second division with a 1:51:2 victory. Dean Gillette Photography.

The $49,000 second division went as the 12th race on the card where Best Place To Be extended her win streak to three in Indiana Sire Stakes. Driver Sam Widger would steer Best Place To Be into the four hole in the opening quarter as Jewel’sbewithus and Trace Tetrick set the pace to the tune of :27. The Pace would remain fast on the front as Ricky Macomber Jr. tugged the right line on the upset-minded Cats Image up the backstretch from third, surging to the front at the half in :54:3. Cats Image would maintained her advantage on the far turn through three quarters in 1:23 while Best Place To Be and Widger motored into third, first up on the outside.

As the field turned for home, Best Place To Be powered to the lead but faced heavy pressure to her inside as Jewel’sbewithus surged up the rail, as well as a hard-charging Gonna Be Good and John De Long from the backfield flying up the passing lane in the final eighth.

However, behind the strength of a :28 final quarter, Best Place To Be responded gamely to prevail by a head over Gonna Be Good in 1:51:3. Jewel’sbewithus and Tetrick would hold for the show spot.

The Mike Roth trained Best Place To Be is heating up at the right time, picking up her third straight victory and fourth of the season in 11 starts in 2022 for owners Dm Stables and William Refenacht. The homebred daughter of Always A Virgin out of the Artsplace mare, Best Place has built a bankroll of $88,800 over the course of her sophomore campaign.

Racing action continues at Harrah’s Hoosier Park with a 14-race card on Tuesday night  (Sept. 20), which will also kick off Caesars Trotting Classic week. Racing fans can tune in for the post draw for the fifth edition of the $200,000 Caesars Trotting Classic, on the Night Drive Pre-race show on the Harrah’s Hoosier Park simulcast, as well as the Hoosier Park AV YouTube channel live on Tuesday beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The $175,000 Harrah’s Hoosier Park Pacing Derby will also be drawn live on Tuesday where it’s expected the World’s Fastest Standardbred, Bulldog Hanover will make his return to Hoosier Park for the first time since his 1:48:1 score in the $325,000 Dan Patch Stakes on Aug. 12.

For more information on the Caesars Trotting Classic as well as the 2022 live racing season, guests are encouraged to visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.

About Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino

Harrah’s Hoosier Park, which is owned and operated by a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR), holds multiple awards from industry publications for customer service, entertainment, gaming, dining, and team member culture. Harrah’s Hoosier Park, a fully-integrated gaming and racing facility, features the newest slots, live table games, sports wagering, and a 7/8 mile oval horse track offering live harness racing each year. For more information, please visit www.HarrahsHoosierPark.com. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing at racetracks and 21 or older to gamble at casinos.  Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (1-800-994-8448) ©2022 Caesars License Company, LLC.