Harrah's Hoosier: Burke bags both Indiana Sires Stakes tilts

Rogers Image won for the fourth straight time and Ron Burke stablemate Roll Em did just that to his competition in the last quarter in the two Indiana Sires Stakes contests for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Sunday night at Harrah's Hoosier Park.

Racing in the second $55,120 grouping, Rogers Image and driver John De Long worked out a third-over trip off fractions of 26 1/5, 53 4/5, and 1:23 set by Ultimaroca (Charlie Conrad), Skyway Victor (Trace Tetrick), and Joelsyy Hanover (Peter Wrenn). It was a calvary charge through the stretch, with multiple horses having a chance, but Rogers Image had the freshest legs and the biggest kick, getting up to tally by a length in 1:50 2/5. Skyway Victor was the runner-up, followed by a closing Betterrock (Sam Widger).

Burke trains Rogers Image, a Rockin Image gelding, for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby, Ras Racing LLC., and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Bred by Stephanie Smith-Rothaug, Rogers Image is now a six-time winner in his career, and he has banked $128,863. Sent off at 9-5, he paid $5.80 to win.

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Back in the first $51,500 section, Rockin On Venus (Mike Oosting) led to the 27 second opening quarter but then gave way when challenged by Virgo (Trace Tetrick) before the 55 second half. Virgo rolled through three-quarters in 1:22 1/5 and continued to lead through the lane, but driver Brandon Bates had Roll Em motoring three-wide after tipping out from second-over, and a 25 2/5 last quarter propelled Roll Em to a 1 1/4 length decision in 1:49 1/5. Virgo had to settle for second, and Rockin On Venus collected third.

Trained by Burke the ownership group of Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Frank Baldachino, and Beasty LLC., Roll Em, a gelded son of Time To Roll, has compiled a record of 7-2-3 from 25 trips behind the gate, and he has now put away $75,260. Roll Em, who was bred by David Arrenholz, Karen Arrenholz, and Dtm Stable, was the 2-1 second choice and returned $6.40 to win.