Cassius Lane stings like a bee

Cassius Lane passed five foes while first over to capture the Harrah’s Hoosier Park co-featured harness racing Open 1/2 Trot on Saturday.

Trevor Henry dropped the gelding back into sixth of seven early from post five and followed rivals through the first quarter mile, which was timed in :27. Cassius Lane moved to the outside approaching the half in :57.3 and made quick inroads while uncovered.

He headed the leader before three-quarters in 1:27, but Timon As (Peter Wrenn) refused to surrender and fought back as the two entered the lane. They were on even terms for much of the stretch-drive, but Cassius Lane proved his superiority as he dispatched his rival late and sealed a 1:54.1 victory.

Timon As was second, and Flagman (Rick Plano) headed the cavalry charge to finish third. A $2 win ticket returned $16.80.

CASSIUS LANE REPLAY

Cassius Lane, a five-year-old by Cash Hall, has won 11 of 59 career starts and earned more than $140,000. He’s owned by the Panhellenic Stable Corp. of Oyster Bay and Kenneth Rucker of Anderson, who also trains.

Little Rocket Man blasted off to a second straight Harrah’s Philly Open win in the co-feature for pacers.

He left keenly from the five-hole and went two-wide into the first turn for John De Long as he vied for the lead. Little Rocket Man took the engine shortly after passing the quarter in 25.4. De Long gave the gelding a breather with a :54.4 half and continued unopposed to three-quarters in 1:22.4.

Tellmeabout (Trace Tetrick) gave chase in the stretch, but Little Rocket Man had enough fuse remaining to get home a winner in 1:49.2. Tellmeabout it finished in place, and Smooth Lou (Henry) took show. The winner paid $3.80.

LITTLE ROCKET MAN REPLAY

Little Rocket Man is now 23-for-37 lifetime with more than $350,000 in earnings for Russell Beeman of Alexandria and Jack Freeman of Anderson. Melissa Essig trains the five-year-old Rockin Image gelding.

Whata Swan won the final co-feature, another Open 1/2 for trotters, in a similar manner to Little Rocket Man.

Tetrick, leaving from post four, sent the five-year-old to the top early and took the two-path into the first turn to do so. The pair got front-end control just after completing the :27.3 first quarter. Tetrick then fashioned middle splits of :56.1 and 1:25 for his mount, who in turn held all challengers at bay through the final quarter to win in 1:52.4.

Toy’s For You (Plano) was the closest oppenent in second; Bridge To Jesse’s (De Long) was third. The win price was $6.10.

WHATA SWAN REPLAY

Whata Swan bolstered his lifetime record to 21-for-73 and surpassed $300,000 in career earnings with the victory. Luis Quevedo conditions the five-year-old Swan For All intact for John Barnard of Miami.

Henry and Tetrick shared the day’s top honours with three wins apiece.

Harrah’s Hoosier Park will be back on Sunday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. EDT with a 14-race program.

For full race results, click here.

By Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink