Ponda Title hangs tough in $129,500 Indiana Sire Stakes

Going to the lead and not looking back, Ponda Title (Muscle Massive) and harness racing driver Kyle Wilfong were able to wire the field in capturing the $129,500 Indiana Sire Stakes Tuesday (Oct. 4) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

The 7^th race feature for two-year-old state-bred trotting fillies saw Ponda Title leave from post six and quickly taking the early lead, then holding off a charge by Starlit Dora (Michael Oosting) to the first quarter in :27.

With Starlit Dora stuffed into the two-hole, Ponda Title then led the field towards the half mile marker with another first-over challenge, this time by Skyway Paige and driver Lewayne Miller. They went to the half mile in :56.1.

Still hanging first-over, Skyway Paige was unable to advance on Ponda Title and now had Truly Unbelievable (Kyle Husted) racing second-over. The three-quarters went in 1:25.4.

Holding a two-length lead at the top of the stretch, Ponda Title dug in for Wilfong and was able to hold off Skyway Paige to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:55. Swans Morning Song (Ricky Macomber) at 82-1 odds, closed for third place.

PONDA TITLE REPLAY

It was the sixth win of the season for Ponda Title and the time of the mile tied her lifetime mark. The filly is trained by Jay Hochstetler for co-owners Connie Hochstetler, Robert Buddig and Allen Schwartz. She paid $2.60 to win as the betting favorite.

There were two divisions of the Indiana Sire Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

The $67,000 first division was the 10^th race where Elhelpski (Helpisontheway) and driver Peter Wrenn were able to come from off the pace to score in a lifetime mark of 1:56.1.

Flight Number One (John De Long) cut the mile to the three-quarters before race favorite Dashing Danny (Kyle Wilfong) came first-over to take command for the long dash down the stretch.

Wrenn took Elhelpski third-over and then fanned out from sixth place at the three-quarters to close with a :27.1 last quarter mile to win by a quarter of a length over Dashing Danny. Flight Number One was fourth placed third as Meadowbrook Master (Trace Tetrick) broke stride and ran down the stretch.

ELHELPSKI REPLAY

It was the third win in just five lifetime starts for Elhelpski. He is trained by Melanie Wrenn for the S & R Stables, Bottom Line Racing and Wrenn Racing. He paid $5.80 to win.

Then in the 12^th race $66,500 second division for the colts, it was the race favorite, Gruesome Twosome (You Know You Do) and driver Daryl Bontrager come first-over from fifth place after the first quarter and then pull away from the field in scoring an impressive six and one-quarter length romp in 1:54.3. Mounds For All (Michael Oosting) was second with Helpem Dance (Ricky Macomber) third.

GRUESOME TWOSOME REPLAY

It was the fourth straight win for Gruesome Twosome and his sixth win in just eight lifetime starts for Bontrager, who trains the colt. He is owned by Ira Steinberg and Bontrager and paid $2.60 to win.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink