by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park
Anderson, IN — Indiana Sires Stakes action continued at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday (July 6) as the evening’s 14-race card was highlighted by the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings. My Uncle Cuz, with Don Harmon in the sulky, scored their second consecutive Hoosier Park victory and delivered as the heavy betting favorite in the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final. After scoring handily in his elimination last week, My Uncle Cuz used a determined stretch rally to find the wire first in 1:54.4 and establish a new lifetime mark in the process.
Leaving from post five in the field of 10, My Uncle Cuz left just enough to grab a spot along the rail in third while Todd Warren sent Sebiskit Bluegrass away from the gate firing from post nine. Sebiskit Bluegrass led the field through the first split in :27.4 but his lead would be short-lived as Harmon gave My Uncle Cuz the green light as they straightened away down the backside.
My Uncle Cuz grabbed the lead just past the half in :56.2 but was quickly joined on the outside by Jesse V and Peter Wrenn who were unable to find a spot along the rail and pressed on to the lead. Fomor and Dan Shetler were well placed second-over as the field began to tighten around the three-quarter clocking in 1:25.4.
The long taxing mile began to take its toll on Jesse V and just as he began to retreat, Double A Goldrush and Ross Leonard found late racing room and came charging. Harmon asked his mount for more and My Uncle Cuz powered to the wire to hold off Double A Goldrush by a length. Swan Forever and Trace Tetrick used a ground saving trip to round out the trifecta. As the 3-5 favorite, My Uncle Cuz returned $3.40 to his backers.
“He’s a very sensible horse,” Harmon noted in the winner’s circle. “I had to move when I did because I didn’t want to get shuffled. He’s actually better off the helmet but he raced great tonight. I was able to get him a breather down the backside and he raced strong all the way to the wire. We’re very proud of him.”
Trained and owned by Krista Harmon, My Uncle Cuz recorded his third victory from six seasonal starts and sixth win from 17 lifetime outings. The gelded son of Abc Garland-Malibu Marley has now amassed $164,618 in lifetime purse earnings.
Live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will continue on Friday (July 7) with a 14-race card featuring the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings. With a daily post time of 6:30 p.m., live racing at Hoosier Park will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule and be conducted through Nov. 17. The 24th season of live harness racing is highlighted by the 34th edition of the Breeders Crown, harness racing’s championship event valued at $6 million, on Friday (Oct. 27) and Saturday (Oct. 28). For more information on the upcoming entertainment and live racing schedule, please visit www.hoosierpark.com.