by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Natural Herbie continued his winning ways in the fourth and final round of the $30,000 Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday (Aug. 30).

Linscott Photography

Natural Herbie was a 1:55.3 winner on Friday in Indiana Sire Stakes action.

Notching his seventh win of the season and third stakes win from four preliminary legs, the reigning freshman Indiana Sire Stakes champion turned in a gutsy performance to win in 1:55.3 for trainer/driver Verlin Yoder.

Leaving from post three in the 11-horse field, Natural Herbie was handed no favors from the onset and was parked through the first quarter clocking while the battle for early position ensued. Ray Hall and Pete Wrenn won the first battle and led the field through early fractions of :28.1 and :57.2.

Unable to find a position along the rail, Natural Herbie pressed on for the lead and was applying pressure to the outside of the top pair down the backside with Super Rock and Charlie Conrad hot on their heels second over. Ray Hall continued to call the shots through the three-quarter clocking in 1:26.1 as the rest of the field closed in.

Natural Herbie inherited the lead after a costly break by Ray Hall midway through the stretch and was able to hold off a late charge from Red Hot Herbie and Brandon Bates to score the win by a head. Red Hot Herbie used a late closing kick to finish second while Super Rock battled gamely to round out the trifecta. As the heavy betting favorite, Natural Herbie returned $3.40 to his backers at the window.

After a sensational 2-year-old campaign, Natural Herbie has posted an even better sophomore season. Sired by Here Comes Herbie, the black gelding has now won seven of 11 seasonal starts while bankrolling more than $150,000 for owner/trainer/driver Verlin Yoder. Sporting a career bankroll of more than $290,000, Natural Herbie has hit the board in 15 of 21 lifetime outings.

Natural Herbie will head the field of entrants in the $200,000 Indiana Gold Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters, slated for Sept. 11 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.

Indiana Gold Sire Stakes action continues at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday (Aug. 31) with a pair of $30,000 divisions for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters. On Saturday, Hoosier Park will also host the Beach Boys live in concert to culminate the Summer Concert Music Series at the Anderson track. Live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule with a daily post time of 5:30 p.m.