Anderson, IN – On To Norway extended his win streak to double digits emphatically on Thursday (July 17) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, matching the track record for 3-year-old trotting geldings in one of two $49,000 splits of Indiana Sire Stakes.
Established as the 1-2 favorite from post four, John DeLong guided On To Norway into fourth on the first turn while Operator (Kyle Wilfong) rocketed to the top through a first quarter of :26.4. Operator faced pressure on the backstretch from Euguene The Genius, who was unable to find a seat on the first turn in the field of six, before pressing the leader to a half of :55. On To Norway began to close on the dueling lead trio, moving into position second-over from fourth while Operator began to turn away Eugune The Genius at three-quarters in 1:24.1.
On To Norway ripped off cover turning for home, quickly grabbing a short lead as he and Operator began to separate themselves from the remainder of the field. Trotting home in :26.4, On To Norway outsprinted a game Operator to reach the wire first by three parts of a length in 1:51.2. Pocket-sitter Bluebird Ladychuck (Dan Shetler) edged out Tarzan (Marcus Miller) for third, 6-1/2 lengths behind the winner.
Since finishing second in his 3-year-old debut, On To Norway has won all 10 starts, with the past eight victories coming in the barn of trainer Ron Burke. The gelded son of Muscle Massive-Once Class Act has made $149,875 on the year and is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, Black And White Stable and Michael Rosenthal. Bred by Bennett Farms Inc of MI, On To Norway has won 14 of 20 lifetime with earnings just shy of $175,000.
The 1:51.2 clocking matched the track record for 3-year-old trotting geldings established by Amigo Volo in 2020.
In the first division, Ponda Rocky pulled a mild 3-1 upset when he upended 1-9 favorite Starlitfranknstein. Driver Atlee Bender found a seat in third early while 21-1 longshot Fruit Snacker (Joey Putnam) hustled to the top through a quarter of :27.1. Starlitfranknstein (Trace Tetrick) moved from the pocket to the top on the backstretch, taking the field of six to the half in :55.3. Bender wheeled Ponda Rocky from third around the final turn while Starlitfranknstein tried to give the field the slip, opening up by 3-1/2 lengths at three-quarters in 1:24.1.
Fruit Snacker jumped it off turning for home, giving Ponda Rocky clearance to drop back in the pocket behind Starlitfranknstein for a braven-up tuck midway through the lane. Ponda Rocky closed to the Tetrick helmet before sliding back to the outside for more, getting by Starlitfranknstein by a length in deep stretch to score in 1:53. Fifty Rivers (LeWayne Miller) outbattled Massive Desire (Mike Peterson) for the show spot, six lengths behind the winner.
Trained by Erv Miller, Ponda Rocky has won three of nine on the season for owners Engel Stable of IL, Jerry Graham and Louis Willinger. Bred by Pond-A-Acres, the gelded son of Pastor Stephen-Wildflower has banked $62,040 on the season and went over six-figures in career earnings following the lifetime best score.
Racing continues at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday (July 18) with a 13-race card featuring two divisions of Indiana Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings. The Friday card also includes a $10,000 guarantee in the Late Hoosier High 5 (race 14) done in partnership with the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program.
Free online programs are available nightly on the Harrah’s Hoosier Park website in addition to free access to race replays and other handicapping resources. Qualifying replays can be found on the Hoosier Park AV YouTube Channel.
For more information on the 2025 live racing season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.