Harrah's Hoosier: Burke Brigade claims top two spots in Moni Maker

It was a Ron Burke-trained exacta in the $105,000 Moni Maker for 3-year-old filly trotters on Friday evening at Harrah's Hoosier Park, with Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion Crucial bettering stablemate Sister Sledge in a 1:54 1/5 mile.

Crucial (David Miller) and Sister Sledge (Brian Sears) lined up first and second right after the start from posts four and three, respectively, and remained that way through stations of 27 1/5, 57 4/5, and 1:27. Crucial shook away from a first-over Sweet Shirley Mae (Andy Miller) at the top of the lane, but Sister Sledge was biding her time waiting for the passing lane. When it became available, Sears guided her to the inside of the tempo-setter, but Crucial had something left in the tank, holding sway to win by a quarter of a length. Rock Swan (Trace Tetrick) finished third, with Sweet Shirley Mae and Tricky Sister (John De Long) completing the order.

A daughter of Father Patrick, Crucial is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC., W.J. Donovan, J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby, and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. She now has a record of 8-2-5 from 22 efforts, and she has earned $484,696. She was the even-money second choice and paid $4.20 to win.