Sophomore trotters compete in Circle City at Hoosier

 ANDERSON, Ind. — Sophomore trotters were featured in $30,000 Circle City events over a sloppy track Thursday (Oct. 19) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, with Tactical Mounds and harness racing driver Scott Zeron taking the spotlight with a 1:53.3 score in the second of two divisions for fillies.

Yo Beth D, a 33-1 shot, left bravely to quickly take the lead, followed by Helpoftheseason and Swan Fancy, with Tactical Mounds three-wide before settling mid-pack in a :27.4 first quarter. Yo Beth D floated in the lead through a :56.2 half and was still in command cutting three-quarters in 1:25.4.

Tactical Mounds made the stretch her landing strip as Zeron let her trot freely and, without urging, she passed a closing Southwind Cherry and the rest drawing away and clocking the mile in 1:53.3. Helpoftheseason was second best and Southwind Cherry took third.

Megan Scran trains Tactical Mounds, a six-time winner in 17 starts, for TheStable Tactical Mounds.

TACTICAL MOUNDS REPLAY

Call Me Goo (Googoo Gaagaa) was tons the best in the first filly division. Tim Tetrick did not wait long to guide the 1-5 public choice to the top, passing Picaboo Lady in a :28.2 first quarter. Call Me Goo led the rest of the way unchallenged in a :57.1 half and 1:25.1 three-quarters, floating home first in 1:54.2.

Trained by Jason Skinner, the filly was followed home by Picaboo Lady and Swinging Senorita. Graham Grace Stables owns Call Me Boo, who has now earned $272,464 with her 10th win in 13 starts. She paid $2.60 to win.

CALL ME GOO REPLAY

In the lone Circle City division for male trotters, a mild upset in the field of seven emerged when Bestfriend Volo (Walner) splashed through the stretch for driver Scott Zeron in a 1:54.1 mile.

Bestfriend Volo left well but was shuffled back quickly, first by Little Expensive, then farther back by Help Page and was forced to sit mid-pack when John Dutton caught the bunch and stayed in command through fractions of :27.4, :56.3 and 1:26.1. Bestfriend Volo shook loose in the stretch to drive home with a ton of trot left and win in 1:54.1. Little Expensive held for second and John Dutton clutched the third spot.

BESTFRIEND VOLO REPLAY

Nancy Takter trains Bestfriend Volo for owners Christina and Nancy Takter, 3 Brothers Stables and Deja Blu own the winner, who paid $13.20 to win. His fourth win in 10 starts at 3 increased his bankroll to $89,250.

Jet Hill (What The Hill) also scored as the public choice with a first-over brush and then held off a late push from Ponda Jet to win the second division for sophomore trotting colts in 1:53.4.

The gelding floated away fourth from post 7 to a :27.1 first quarter set by Black Magic. Ponda Jet soon circled off the pegs from third to take the lead up the backstretch, but soon yielded control to Jet Hill after a :56.2 half. Rose Run Yorick followed Jet Hill’s move and remained alongside the leader through to three-quarters in 1:25 before Jet Hill reaccelerated for home.

Ponda Jet stayed close in tow and took aim at the leader in the open stretch though just fell a quarter-length short of the game winner. Black Magic finished another three lengths behind in third and Texsong Soprano, off a second-over trip, took fourth.

JET HILL REPLAY

Edward Miller trains Jet Hill, an 11-time winner from 19 starts with $465,275 in the bank, for owner Serenity Racing Stables. Ronnie Wrenn Jr. drove the $5.00 winner.

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

by Ray Cotolo, for Harrah’s Hoosier Park