Anderson, IN — Indiana Sire Stakes action returned to Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday (Aug. 14) with the fifth round for 3-year-old trotting fillies. Both $47,500 divisions brought the betting public’s choice to the winner’s circle, with wins by Kota’s Swan and Measuredperfection. Measuredperfection, who had been sidelined for several weeks, delivered an impressive gate-to-wire performance as the co-favorite in the second division of action.

Measuredperfection makes her return to ISS action a winning one. Photo courtesy of Linscott Photography.

Leaving from post five in the field of eight, Measuredperfection and Trace Tetrick wasted no time and went straight to the lead as soon as the race began. Sophia Lia with John De Long grabbed the coveted pocket seat and followed intently through opening fractions of :27:4 and :57:3. Just after the half, Verlin Yoder urged co-favorite Grand Swan to make her move toward the lead.

When the field hit the third quarter in 1:26:1, Measuredperfection maintained her lead with Sophia Lia was tracking from second and Grand Swan advancing with every stride. As the field turned for home, Measuredperfection still had some left in the tank and held her challengers at bay to cross the wire in 1:53:3 with a final quarter of :27:2. Grand Swan fought hard and got up in time for second while Sophia Lia trotted evenly for third.

Measuredperfection paid $3.80 to win at the betting windows.

“We were able to get out to the front easily,” said Tetrick in the winner’s circle. “The trip worked out like I thought it would. She did everything I asked and trotted strong all the way to the wire, she was strong tonight.”

Trained by Ron Burke, Measuredperfection finished third in the first round of the stakes action in May before being sitting on the sidelines. After a winning qualifier last week, Measuredperfection recorded her third win of the season from four starts and now sports a lifetime bankroll of $324,390. The daughter of Swan For All-Kalibrated is owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby and Weaver Bruscemi. Bred by Concord Stud Farm LLC, Measuredperfection has now won seven of 17 lifetime starts.

Earlier in the evening, the first division produced another gate-to-wire effort from post-time favorite, Kota’s Swan. Using her customary front-stepping tactics, Kota’s Swan and Sam Widger found their way to the winner’s circle to record their third straight stakes victory and second straight Indiana Sire Stakes win.

When the gate opened, Kota’s Swan went straight for the lead while the 2018 Indiana Sires Stakes Super Final champ, Kissesforall with Peter Wrenn, also left alertly for position from post eight. Kota’s Swan held onto her lead through opening fractions of :27:2 and :56:4 before ever feeling a threat from the rest of the field.

Kota’s Swan bolstered her lead through the third quarter in 1:25:4 and trotted strong through the stretch, only to be challenged by a fast-charging Always Be With You with Michael Oosting a few strides before the finish line. Kota’s Swan crossed the wire first, stopping the clock in 1:55 while Always Be With You had to settle for second. Summit City Swan with Brandon Bates also staged a late rally to round out the trifecta.

Kota’s Swan paid $3.20 to win for her betting backers.

“She’s gotten a lot more solid the more we race her,” Jeff Cullipher said. “She’s pretty easy on herself, which is always helpful.”

Kota’s Swan, the daughter of Swan For All-Casual Chick, now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $207,051 for owners Pollack Racing LLC and Jeff Cullipher. Bred by Double A Acres, the filly has now won nine of 26 lifetime starts.

Indiana Sire Stakes action will continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Thursday (Aug. 15) with a 14-race card featuring two divisions for the 3-year-old trotting colts. Thursday’s card will also be highlighted by a $10,000 Guaranteed Pick-4 pool in races three through six and a $10,000 Guaranteed Hoosier High 5 pool in race 14. With a daily post time of 6:30 p.m., live racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule and be conducted through Nov. 9. For more information on the upcoming entertainment or live racing schedule, please visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.