Burke brigade captures ISS divisions

ANDERSON, Ind.— August 22, 2021— The harness racing week would conclude at Harrah’s Hoosier Park with a Ron Burke sweep in Indiana Sire Stakes action on Sunday, August 22. Two divisions for the fifth round of Indiana Sire Stakes for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers would highlight the 14-race card at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Sunday evening.

The first division would go as the evening’s tenth race on the card, with Ron Burke trainee Roll Em picking up the victory from off the pace in a lifetime best 1:49:1 for driver Brandon Bates

Leaving from post position 5, the gelded son of Time To Roll would land in mid pack for Bates as race favorite, Rockin On Venus and Mike Oosting would set the tempo through an opening quarter of 27:0. Up the backstretch, Trace Tetrick launched a quick quarter move from third to take the lead at the half in 55:0. As Virgo led the field into the far turn, Roll Em and Bates would flush the cover of Saddle Up to be a second over fifth at three-quarters in 1:22:1, still with seven lengths to make up on the leaders in the stretch.

As Virgo and Rockin On Venus began to duel at the top of the lane, Roll Em would launch off cover, utilizing a 25:3 explosion to get up in deep stretch, chasing down Virgo and opening up by a length and a quarter at the line to pick up the victory in 1:49:1. Virgo would stay on for second, Rockin On Venus would round out the trifecta.

ROLL EM REPLAY

Trained by Ron Burke, Roll Em has now picked up three straight victories after going back to back at The Meadows entering tonight. The June purchase by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi & Frank Baldachino has now five victories on the season, and boasts lifetime earnings of  $75,260 following his score in the $51,500 first division.

Following his stablemate’s lead in the second division, Rogers Image would pick up his fourth straight victory in the $52,000 second division, scoring from well off the pace with driver John De Long for the Burke Brigade.

Leaving from outside post 9, Rogers Image would land near the rear of the field off the gate in what would prove to be a busy mile on the front. After a hot 26:1 opening quarter, Skyway Victor and Trace Tetrick pocket pulled the pocket to gain control of the race up the backstretch, before Peter Wrenn gave Joelsyy Hanover his marching orders, taking over at the half in 53:4.

The field of 11 would begin to bunch on the turn as Joelsyy Hanover led though three quarters in 1:23:0 with Skyway Victor waiting for the passing lane and Rogers Image yet to make any noise from the backfield, sitting third over sixth. That would quickly change in the stretch as De long would unleash Rogers Image, quickly gobbling up ground on the leaders, using a 26:3 final quarter to get the jump on Skyway Victor and a hard charging Betterrock along the rail to score the victory in 1:50:2.

ROGERS IMAGE REPLAY

Owner by the Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, Ras Racing & Weaver Bruscemi, Rogers Image picked up his fifth victory on the season thus far. The gelded son of Rockin Image out of the Jate Lobell mare, Remi’s Rocket, pushed his bankroll to $127,303 for his career with the victory.

Live racing will continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday, August 25 with a 14-race card. The 14-race Wednesday card will feature two-year-old trotters in Indiana Sire Stakes action, with two divisions set to go for the trotting fillies and three for the freshman colts. With a daily post time of 6:30 pm, live racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park will be conducted through December 4.

For full race results, click here.

From Harrah’s Hoosier Park