Top ISS sophomores stay perfect

ANDERSON, Ind.—September 5, 2022— Indiana’s top three-year-old trotters and pacers were back in action at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino as the track played host to a special Labor Day card of live harness racing on Monday, September 5. Six divisions of Indiana Sires Stakes were featured on the evening’s 14-race card. Three-year-old trotting sensations Ponda Adventure and M-M’s Dream both extended their win streaks to remain undefeated this season.

With an eight race win streak on the line, Ponda Adventure (Swan For All—Wildflower) looked every bit the part of a 1-5 favorite as he went gate to wire in the first $48,000 Indiana Sires Stakes division for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

With regular pilot Trace Tetrick in the bike, Ponda Adventure went to the front and then simply coasted to the finish line to stop the timer in 1:53.

Trained by Erv Miller, Ponda Adventure notched his ninth win of the season from nine outs. Owned by Engel Stable, L.A. Willinger, and J.D. Graham, the gelding pushed his seasonal earnings over the $200,000 mark with the victory. Ponda Adventure has now won 17 of 19 lifetime starts and $477,912 in lifetime purse earnings.

In the second division for the three-year-old trotting colts it was Dover In Motion (Dover Dan—Keystone Sadie) and Ricky Macomber Jr. who returned to the winner’s circle and delivered as the heavy favorite. Dover In Motion moved to the lead down the backside and never looked back–en route to a 1:53.4 victory. Sent off as the heavy betting favorite, Dover In Motion was a five-length winner over Adamsville Road and Trace Tetrick.

Trained by Jamie Macomber, the gelding has now won ten of 17 lifetime starts. It was the second win of the season for Dover In Motion.

Not to be outdone by male counterparts, M-M’s Dream (Swan For All—Trading Places) turned an impressive performance of her own to capture the $92,500 Indiana Sires Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies in 1:53.1.

Opting for a trip off the pace this week, M-M’s Dream found a :27 final quarter to get up in the final strides and put a nose in front of the hard-charging Fleurie and Michael Oosting.

With the victory, the filly has now won seven of seven starts this season and 13 of 15 lifetime starts. M-M’s Dream is trained by Henry Graber Jr. and owned in partnership by Eleven Star Stables, Frank Baldachino and Hillside Stables.

In the $97,000 three-year-old pacing colt division of the stakes action, it was Rip Wheeler (Rockin Image—Novascotia Hanover) and Brandon Bates who followed suit and extended a win streak of their own. Scoring his third straight victory, Rip Wheeler used a :25.1 closing quarter to track down Sure Thing Herman and Atlee Bender to get the win. Soaring Now and Joey Putnam also rallied well late but were forced to settle for second place honors.

Trained by Walter Haynes Jr., the gelding recorded his seventh win from 16 starts this season. Owned in partnership by Jeff Fought Racing and David Fought, Rip Wheeler has now seven of 18 lifetime starts while earning $186,749 lifetime.

The three-year-old pacing fillies rounded out the stakes action on the card and it was Best Place To Be (Always A Virgin—Best Place) and Marvelous Marshia who found the winner’s circle in their respective divisions. Best Place To Be left alertly from post nine and held off all challengers to win in 1:51. With driver Sam Widger in the sulky, Best Place To Be was a near two length winner over JJ Endofanera and Trace Tetrick.

Trained by Mike Roth, Best Place To Be has now won three of 10 seasonal starts. She is owned in partnership by William Rufenacht and Dm Stables LLC.

The biggest upset of the evening came when Marvelous Marshia (Always A Virgin—Honey’s Luck) and John DeLong captured the second division for three-year-old pacing fillies. Using a very well-timed rally, Marvelous Marshia tracked down the heavily favored JK’s Rollin Baby and Michael Oosting late in the lane to score in 1:50.2.

Trained by Roger Welch, the filly recorded her fourth win of the season from 10 trips behind the gate. Owned in partnership by W. DeLong, W. DeLong, M. DeLong and M. Lewis -Veitia, Marvelous Marshia has now won seven of 20 lifetime starts.

Live racing will continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Wednesday, September 7 with a 14-race card. . With a daily post time of 6:15 pm, live racing will be conducted through December 10. For more information on upcoming events and the live racing calendar, please visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.

For complete race results, click here.

From Harrah’s Hoosier Park