Anderson, IN — Indiana Sire Stakes action continued at Harrah’s Hoosier Park with round one of six for the 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Thursday (July 11). Three divisions highlighted the 14-race card seeing Twofiftychamp, Tarzan and Eugene The Genius all remain perfect in their young careers.

Twofiftychamp kicked off the stakes action in the $46,000 first division, having to overcome the far outside post eight in addition to seven foes.

Driver Kurt Sugg sent Twofiftychamp immediately to the front off the gate, sprinting two lengths clear at the quarter in :28.1 with Mehelpingyou (John De Long) in the pocket. Twofiftychamp received a breather to the half in :58.2 before the lead duo began to slip away from the pack on the final turn at three-quarters in 1:27.3.

Twofiftychamp trotted confidently to the wire, stopping the clock in 1:55. Dean Gillette Photography.

Turning for home, the top two trotted well clear of the remainder of the field with Twofiftychamp extending his length to 2-1/2 lengths over Mehelpingyou midway down the lane. Twofiftychamp trotted confidently to the wire, stopping the clock in 1:55, 1-1/2 lengths clear of Mehelpingyou. Jenius (Kyle Husted) finished third at 71-1, 8-1/2 lengths back of the leader. Twofiftychamp paid $2.60 to win as the 1-5 favorite.

Trained by Edward Miller for owner Serenity Racing Stables, Twofiftychamp is now two-for-two in his young career. From the first crop of stallion Fiftydallarbill, Twofiftychamp is out of the Possess The Will mare Peachy Georgia and was bred by Daniel Lee Stoll.

Tarzan kicked-off his career in style emerging atop an action-packed mile in the $46,000 second division.

Leaving from post three, driver Trace Tetrick settled Tarzan fourth early while Oli Canoli (Doug Rideout) worked to the lead outside of 3-5 favorite Fruit Snacker (Kyle Wilfong) at the quarter in :28.1. Oli Canoli cleared briefly before Kody Kickstand (Ricky Macomber Jr.) moved from third to take command at the halfway point in :58.2. Tetrick moved Tarzan to the outside on the backstretch, finding the short-lived cover of Fruit Snacker who moved around Oli Canoli before moving back against the pylons in second. Kody Kickstand brought the field to three-quarters in 1:27.3 while Tarzan moved into second on the outside on the final turn.

At the top of the stretch, Kody Kickstand faced a two-pronged attack with Tarzan continuing to press to his outside and Fruit Snacker finding room against the pylons to make it a three-across battle for the lead. Tarzan gained a short advantage in deep-stretch over Fruit Snacker, now under siege from a hard-charging Siesta Sandman (Dennis Duford) who was rolling late on the wide side. Tarzan reached the wire first by a quarter-length over Siesta Sandman in 1:56.2, with Fruit Snacker third, just a half-length behind the winner. Tarzan returned $11 to win for his backers at the betting windows.

Trained by Erv Miller, Tarzan is owned by Ervin Miller Stable Inc. and Anthony Lombardi. Bred by Keith Plank, Tarzan is a gelded son of You Know You Do out of the Swan For All mare Foxy Swan.

The $46,500 final split saw Eugene The Genius trot smartly to victory as he notched his second win in as many career outings with driver Mike Oosting.

Euguene The Genius made quick work of post seven, trotting quickly to the lead and in command of the field of nine at the quarter in :28.3. The 1-5 favorite Starlitfanknstein (Tetrick) moved from the pocket spot to grab command from Eugene The Genius on the way to the half in :58.2. Starlitfranknstein trotted to three-quarters in 1:28.2 under a firm hold with Eugune The Genius hot on the Tetrick helmet.

The sprint begun in the lane with Eugene The Genius popping the pocket but spotting Starlitfanknstein 1-1/2 lengths at the eighth pole. Picking up steam at the edge of the toteboard, Eugene The Genius nailed Starlitfranknstein on the wire by a neck with a :27.3 final quarter to stop the clock in 1:56.1. Sure Did (Jay Cross) rallied to finish third. Eugene The Genius paid $10 to win as the 4-1 second choice.

Eugene The Genius is trained by Missy Essig for owners Russ Beeman and Charles Weaver. The victory was a lifetime best for the gelded son of Helpisontheway-Muscle Baby Doll who was bred by Black Creek Farm and Hickory Hollow Stables.

Racing continues on Friday (July 11) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park with a 14-race card featuring two divisions of Indiana Sire Stakes for the 2-year-old pacing colts. Bettors will have a $12,816 carryover in the Jackpot Pick-6 (races 8-13) to look forward to along with a $7,500 guaranteed Early Pick-5 (races 1-5) and $10,000 guaranteed Hoosier High 5 (race 14). The Friday card gets underway with a first post of 6:15 p.m.

For more information on the 2024 live racing season, guests are encouraged to visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.