by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park

Anderson, IN — After an impressive victory in his elimination last week, Swandre The Giant continued his winning ways in the featured event of the evening, the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings, at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday (July 14). With Brandon Bates in the bike, Swandre The Giant was able to overcome outside post nine to stop the timer in 1:55.3 and establish a new lifetime best in the process.

Linscott Photography

Swandre The Giantcaptured the $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes final for 2-year-old trotting coltsand geldings.

Bates sent Swandre The Giant away from the gate firing but he would have to work for position as Lite Years Away and Lewayne Miller protected their rail position to get the first call through the opening panel in :27.2. Smooth Aceleration and John DeLong were well placed in the pocket with Swandre The Giant finding a spot in third. Approaching the second station in :58.1, Lite Years Away made a costly break and Smooth Aceleration inherited the lead.

His lead would be short lived as Bates gave Swandre The Giant the green light and he quickly grabbed command just before the three-quarters in 1:28.1. As the field turned for home, Swandre The Giant began to put his talent on display as he trotted away from his competitors. Using a :27.2 final panel, Swandre The Giant coasted on to the wire under a hand drive to finish five lengths in front of It’s A Herbie and Verlin Yoder. Smooth Aceleration and John DeLong rounded out the trifecta. As the heavy betting favorite, Swandre The Giant returned $3.00 at the betting windows.

Trained and driven by Brandon Bates, the son of Swan For All-Adagio remains undefeated in three starts. Owned by Panic Stb, T. Ehardt, B. Hochman, R. Barone, Swandre The Giant has now amassed in $52,500 in lifetime purse earnings.

Live racing will return to Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Tuesday (July 17) with a 12-race card. With a daily post time of 6:30 p.m., live racing will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule and be conducted through Nov. 10. For more information on the upcoming entertainment or live racing schedule, please visit www.hoosierpark.com.