Top Indiana fillies win in ISS

ANDERSON, Ind.—June 14, 2023—Indiana Sire Stakes returned to Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Wednesday, June 14 with round two for the sophomore trotting fillies. Two $50,000 splits for the three-year-old trotting fillies highlighted the 14-race card, with the favorites living up to the wagering hype on their way to scores in each harness racing division.

The first division went off as the evening’s eleventh race, where Helpoftheseason (Helpisontheway) would reward her backers at the window as the 6/5 post time favorite.

Leaving from post three in the field of nine, Peter Wrenn hustled Helpoftheseason into position off the wings of the gate, pushing second choice Naturdays who left alertly from post nine with Matt Krueger hard through an opening quarter of 27:1. Helpoftheseason relinquished the lead to Naturdays as the round one winner of stakes action took the field to the half in a throttled down 57:2. Naturdays continued to hold command entering the far turn, now under pressure from Flo Lashomb and Kyle Wilfong who launched their bid from third to challenge the leader at three-quarters in 1:27:2.

At the top of the lane, Naturdays and Flo Lashomb continued their slugfest up front as Wrenn waited for the passing lane. Once up the rail, Helpoftheseason powered home behind the strength of a 27:3 final quarter to nail a game Naturdays at the wire a half-length the best in 1:55:1, Flo Lashomb and Wilfong held for the third spot.

Bred by Ben Wittmer, it was the second victory in three seasonal starts for the first crop daughter of Helpisontheway out of the Angus Hall mare, Torches Star. Trained by Melanie Wrenn, it was the sixth career victory in her tenth start, now banking $178,300 lifetime for owners John Schmucker and Wrenn Racing LLC.

It was Swanya’s (Swan For All) turn to deliver as the 3/5 choice in the second Indiana Sire Stakes division going as the thirteenth race on the card.

Leaving from the middle of the gate in post five in the field of nine, John De Long was aggressive with Swanya from the outset, leading the field through an opening quarter of 27:4. Swanya would release the lead briefly as Stella Rose and Mike Oosting worked their way to the lead up the backstretch after leaving from post eight, before De Long tugged on the right line and quickly reasserted Swanya back at the front through an opening half of 57:0. The field remained in straight alignment following Swanya’s lead around the far turn as she maintained control of the race through three-quarters in 1:25:3.

In the stretch, Swanya remained in charge, however facing pressure now in the form of Yo Beth D and Trace Tetrick as they launched their bid from third. The two fillies battled as they separated themselves from the field, with Swanya prevailing by three-quarters of a length on the line over Yo Beth D behind the strength of a 27:3 final quarter to score in a lifetime best 1:53:1. Stella Rose and Mike Oosting would held for show to round out the trifecta.

Trained by Missy Essig, Swanya visited the Winner’s Circle for the sixth time in eight seasonal starts after making just one start as a freshman, banking $79,250 for owner Jacalyn Beeman. Bred by Leonard Miller, Swanya is out of the Lou’s Legacy mare, Tanya’s Legacy.

Racing action continues at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Thursday, June 15 with a 14-race card featuring a single $95,500 division of Indiana Sire Stakes for the three-year-old trotting colts and geldings. The Thursday night card will also featuring plenty of fantastic wagering action, including a $23,614.46 carryover in the Jackpot Pick 6 in races 8-13, as well as a $10,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 in races 11-14 which bettors can expect every Thursday throughout the 2023 season. For more information on the 2023 racing season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, guests are encouraged to visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.

For complete race results, click here.

by Jacob Rheinheimer, for Harrah’s Hoosier Park