Harrah's Hoosier: Betterrock, Virgo tally in Indiana Sires Stakes

The Hoosier state's top 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings rounded out a week's worth of stakes action at Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Sunday, September 5, as two Indiana Sires Stakes divisions, worth $51,500 and $55,120, were featured on the evening's 13-race card. It was the sixth round of their eight-round series, as they all looked to gain valuable points for the season-culminating $250,000 Super Finals, slated for October 15 at Harrah's Hoosier Park.

Betterrock and driver Sam Widger turned in a valiant stretch rally to capture the opening section in 1:50 4/5. Leaving from post four, Betterrock was unhurried from the gate and settled along the rail in seventh while Brookview Bullet and Ricky Macomber Jr. dictated fractions on the front. Widger moved Betterrock to the outer flow, and the pair were perfectly placed second-over turning for home. Using a 27 1/5 final quarter, Betterrock was able to track down the leaders and hold off a late charge from T's Raider II and Trace Tetrick to get the win by three parts of a length. Big Gulp and Jay Cross rallied well to round out the trifecta. Betterrock returned $11.80 for the win.

Trained by Ernie Gaskin, the gelded son of Rockin Image-Bettor Business recorded his first win of the season from 15 starts and established a new lifetime mark. Betterrock has now amassed $87,100 for owners Desyllas Racing and William Beck. Betterrock was bred by Gary Graber.

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In the second flight, Virgo and Trace Tetrick used a near gate-to-wire effort to get the win by a nose in 1:50 3/5. Leaving from post two, Tetrick let Virgo settle off the gate before giving him the green light just before the half. Virgo ranged up to take command and led the field to the three-quarters with Rockin On Venus and Mike Oosting getting the pocket trip.

After the field turned for home, it was a calvalry charge to the wire. Finding a 27 1/5 closing quarter, Virgo battled gamely in the lane and was able to hold off a late surge from Ultimaroca and Sam Widger to get the win by a nose. Saddle Up and John DeLong also staged a big rally late in the lane to round out the trifecta. As the second betting choice, Virgo returned $8.60 at the betting windows.

Trained by Dylan Davis, Virgo notched his third win from nine starts this season. The gelded son of Always A Virgin-Star Of The Show has now amassed $218,152 for his ownership group of H.A. Taylor, J.A. Billings, and D.P. Davis. Virgo now sports a lifetime record of 18-6-6-2 and was bred by Dustin Miller.

Live racing will continue at Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday, September 8 with a 14-race card. The evening's 14-race card will feature a $40,000 guaranteed pool in the Hoosier High-5 after the sequence went unsolved on Sunday and produced a carryover of $11,293.70.

--press release (Harrah's Hoosier Park)--