Anderson, IN – Indiana Sire Stakes action returned to Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Tuesday (Sept. 30) with the sixth and final leg for both divisions of 2-year-old trotters. A trio of splits were needed for each group as they competed for their final chance to earn their way into the $250,000 Super Finals during Hoosier Champions night on Friday, Oct. 10.
The $45,500 first division for trotting fillies kicked off the card with a 22-1 Dangoodfeelin pulling the shocker from the perfect pocket trip. Trainer Robert Taylor was in the bike, landing the two-hole trip behind 4-5 favorite Meadowbrook Ashley (Doug Rideout) who cut first half fractions of :27.2 and :57.2.
After Meadowbrook Ashley led to three-quarters in 1:27.2, Dangoodfeelin exploded out from behind, trotting home in :27.3 to win by four lengths in a career best 1:55.3. Hot Martini (Ricky Macomber Jr.) wore down Meadowbrook Ashley late to get up for second.
Dangoodfeelin has won five of 13 on the season for owners Harvey Fry and Nathan Yoder. Fry also bred to daughter of Dover Dan-Dancin Feeling who has banked $58,550 on the season.
The $46,000 second split for fillies proved much more formful as Help Cum Laude scored as the 4-5 favorite. Atlee Bender guided the bettors’ choice into second early while 13-1 shot Honeymoon (Kevin Lambright) took control of the field of eight through a quarter of :28.2. Bender brushed Help Cum Laude to the top on the backstretch before a half of :58.4 when For Dayze (John De Long) charged alongside the favorite first-over at three-quarters in 1:28.2. Help Cum Laude turned away the challenge before opening up by three lengths on the wire with a :27 final split to stop the timer in 1:55.2. For Dayze held for second with OMG Am I Ok (Trace Tetrick) rallying for third.
The effort was a career best for Help Cum Laude who is now two-for-two since the move to the Erv Miller stable and a winner of three of six on the year. Owned by Ervin Miller Stable, Anthony Lombardi and Doug Overhiser, the daughter of Helpisontheway-Cum Laude Hall was bred by Black Creek Farm and sports a bankroll of $65,190.
The final $46,000 division for trotting fillies went to mild 7-2 upsetter Swan Gracelyn with trainer LeWayne Miller in the bike. Swan Gracelyn floated away in fifth while Make It Spicy was on top through a hotly contested first quarter of :27.3. Miller moved Swan Gracelyn first-over on the backstretch, brushing to the top after a half of :57.4 under urging as the Swan Gracelyn hesitated slightly while trying to clear moving into the final turn. Once on the point, Swan Gracelyn took pressure from Double A Dream (Trace Tetrick) at three-quarters in 1:27.2. Swan Gracelyn repelled that challenge in the lane before facing one final foe as Pastor’s Delicacy (Kyle Wilfong) picked up steam late at 42-1, coming up a half length short of Swan Gracelyn who broke her maiden in 1:57. Clear And Cool (Jordan Ross) rallied for the show spot.
Owned by Nathan Yoder, L&S Racing and Platinum Stables, the winning daughter of Swan For All-Paint By Numbers was bred by Black Horse Racing and has earned $38,484 through seven outings this year.
Not the only maiden breaker on the evening during stakes action, Dan D Man Can broke through in a big way as he captured the $45,500 first division for trotting colts. Atlee Bender secured the third spot early though a quarter of :28.1 before taking over from Swan In All (Jordan Ross) on the way to the half in :57.4. The 1-5 favorite cruised to three-quarters in 1:27.2 before pouring it on in the stretch, winning by 3-3/4 lengths over The Gambler (John De Long) and Bravo Alpha (Doug Rideout) in 1:55.
Erv Miller trains Dan D Man Can who broke his maiden in start number eight for owners Red Barn Stable, Doug Overhiser and Lava Java Stable. The Dover Dan-Caramela Hanover gelding was bred by Homestead Acres and has banked $78,528.
The win was one of four driving wins for Bender, and three training wins for Erv Miller as those two led their respective categories on the night.
Driver Marcus Miller teamed up with Sunday Swagger for the first time in the $46,000 second division as the duo led every step of the way in a 7-1 upset. Sunday Swagger trotted to the top through an opening quarter of :27.3 before being well rated with middle-half fractions of :57.2 and 1:27 in front of pocket-sitter August Salazar (John De Long). Once in the stretch, Sunday Swagger marched clear to a 1-3/4 length victory in a lifetime best 1:54.3. 1-2 favorite Swan Affect (LeWayne Miller) rallied for second after never seeing the cones, with August Salazar holding for third at 31-1.
Jay Hochstetler trains Sunday Swagger who has won two of eight on the year for owners Connie and Homer Hochstetler, Robert Buddig and Allen Schwartz. Bred by Homer Hochstetler and Robert Buddig, the gelded son of Dover Dan-Sweet Thing has made $50,875 in 2025.
The $46,000 final division for trotting colts was won by Power N Steam who capitalized on late breaking leaders en route to a 3-1 victory. Mike Oosting and Power N Steam got away seventh in the field of eight while 4-5 favorite Swan Bi Bi (Jordan Ross) took the field to the quarter in :28.1. Power N Steam followed the cover of I’too Volo (Trace Tetrick) after a half of :58 to get towed into contention when I’too Volo jumped it off rounding the final turn while matching strides with Swan Bi Bi at three-quarters in 1:28.2.
Reestablished alone on the lead, Swan Bi Bi appeared poised to cruise in the stretch before jumping it off midway through the lane, leading to Power N Steam inheriting the top position late and getting the job done by 1-1/4 lengths in a career best 1:56.4. Bluebird Atomic (Kevin Lambright) got up for second, with Woodside Julius (LeWayne Miller) finishing third at 62-1.
Ken Rucker trains Power N Steam who has won two of eight on the year for owners Earnest Sork and Noreen and Shawn Nessa. Bred by Randy, Zane and Tyler Wilt, the Swan For All-Flowers N Dreams colt has racked up earnings of $46,219 on the year.
Racing continues on Wednesday, Oct. 1 with a 14-race program set to get underway at 5:30 p.m. Two-year-old pacing fillies and 3-year-old trotting fillies will step into the spotlight for their final leg of Indiana Sire Stakes on the Wednesday card, with two divisions of each.
In addition to the Sire Stakes action, the Wednesday card features a carryover of $2,228 into the Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) with that pool being guaranteed at $10,000 as well as a $10,115 carryover into the Early Hoosier High 5 (race 7). This pairs with the traditional $10,000 guaranteed pools in the Late Pick 4 (races 11-14) and Late Hoosier High 5 (race 14) done in partnership with the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program.
Free online programs for the Wednesday card are available on the Hoosier Park website in addition to free access to race replays, while qualifier replays can be found at the Hoosier Park AV YouTube Channel.
For more information on the 2025 live racing season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, guests are encouraged to visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.
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