Anderson, IN – After a week’s worth of 2-year-old stakes action, it was the 2-year-old trotting colts turn in the spotlight at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday (July 16) as three $47,000 divisions were featured on the evening’s 12-race card. It was the opening round of their six round series and the freshman colts did not disappoint.

Texsong Soprano and Matt Krueger were impressive 7-1/4 lengths winners in the first division of the stakes action for 2-year-old trotting colts Saturday night at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Dean Gillette Photo.

Texsong Soprano and Matt Krueger won with authority in the opening division for $46,500 with a final time of 1:55.3, Texsong Soprano moved to the lead down the backside and never looked back. Using a :28.2 final panel, Texsong Soprano kicked home 7-1/4 lengths in front of Facebook Official and Jared Finn. Ahadi As and Trace Tetrick trotted evenly to finish third. As the heavy betting favorite, Texsong Soprano returned $3.80 for the victory.

Trained by Missy Essig, the son of Text Me—Muscling In is now two for two in his young career. Owned by Joe D. and Daryl D. Yoder, Texsong Soprano was bred by Abraham Miller.

Dash Of Luck and Brandon Bates pulled a slight upset in the second division of the stakes action after they converted a pocket trip into a 1:55 score. Help Page and John DeLong dictated fractions of :28, :56.4 and 1:26.2. When the field turned for home, Dash Of Luck tipped from the pocket and was able to wear down Help Page to get the win by a head. Bourbon Courage and Trace Tetrick, the post-time favorite, powered home in :26.2 to round out the trifecta. Sent off at odds of 7-1, Dash Of Luck returned $16 to his backers at the betting windows.

Trained by Mark P’Pool, Dash Of Luck recorded his first lifetime victory in his first lifetime start. The son of Helpisontheway—Demons N Diamonds is owned by T.L. Defabis, Dolne Farm Services LLC, and M.E. P’Pool and was bred by Luckiana Farm.

Ponda Jet and Homer Hochstetler captured the third and final split of the stakes action for 2-year-old trotting colts at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Saturday night. Dean Gillette Photo.

In the third and final division, it was Ponda Jet who turned in a determined effort to get the job done in 1:56.3 with Homer Hochstetler in the bike. Leaving from post two, Ponda Jet went to the front and went uncontested through fractions of :28.1 and :59.3. As he reached the three-quarters in 1:29, he was joined on the outside by Just Show Up and Trace Tetrick applying pressure from first-over. As the field turned for home, Just Show Up appeared to have worn down the leader but Ponda Jet wasn’t finished. Utilizing a :27.3 final quarter, Ponda Jet dug in gamely to get the win by three-parts of a length over Just Show Up. Jailhouse Dance and Michael Oosting also rallied well late to finish third.

Trained by Jay Hochstetler, Ponda Jet has now won two of his three lifetime starts. The son of Dover Dan—Ponda’s Lucky Lady is owned in partnership by Connie Hochstetler, Robert Buddig and Allen Schwartz and was bred by Pond-A-Acres.

Live harness racing will continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Tuesday (July 19) with a 13-race card. For more information on live racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, guests are encouraged to visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.

About Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino

Harrah’s Hoosier Park, which is owned and operated by a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR), holds multiple awards from industry publications for customer service, entertainment, gaming, dining, and team member culture. Harrah’s Hoosier Park, a fully-integrated gaming and racing facility, features the newest slots, live table games, sports wagering, and a 7/8 mile oval horse track offering live harness racing each year. For more information, please visit www.HarrahsHoosierPark.com. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing at racetracks and 21 or older to gamble at casinos.  Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (1-800-994-8448) ©2021 Caesars License Company, LLC.