Harrah's Hoosier: Indiana Sires Stakes finals held for older horses

Little Rocket Man, Rockin Nola, Morairtime, and Whata Swan emerged with victories from the Indiana Sires Stakes finals for aged competitors that took place on Friday night at Harrah's Hoosier Park.

Driven by John De Long in the $70,000 event for male pacers, Little Rocket Man led early but would release Tellmeaboutit (Mike Oosting) to the top after a sharp 25 2/5 opening quarter. Tellmeaboutit maintained command through a 55 second half and a 1:22 3/5 three-quarters, but Little Rocket Man stalked him intently from the two-hole and then angled out in the lane. Tellmeaboutit and Little Rocket Man battled all the way to the wire, but Little Rocket Man would not be denied, winning by half a length in 1:48 3/5. Dojea Gizmo (Peter Wrenn) was the third-place finisher.

Missy Essig trains Little Rocket Man, a 5-year-old Rockin Image gelding, for owners Russell Beeman and Jack Freeman. This was his 28th career victory, and he has now earned $499,445. He was the 1-5 favorite and paid $2.60 to win.

Rockin Nola (Joey Putnam) came up just a fifth of a second shy of Little Rocket Man in the speed department after bagging the $70,000 mares pace in 1:48 4/5. Rockin Nola ripped off fractions of 26 1/5, 54 3/5, and 1:22 2/5 on her way to the win by a length and three-quarters over Somebodyslilly (Andy Shetler). Mystical Carrie (Trace Tetrick) collected third.

Now on her way to the Breeders Crown, Rockin Nola is a 5-year-old Rockin Image mare trained by Joe Putnam for owners J P Racing LLC. and Suttons Bay Racing. Rockin Nola now has 30 triumphs in her life, and she has now stashed away $727,007. She returned $3.00 to win as the 1-2 favorite.

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In the $70,000 tilt for mare trotters, Morairtime (Jack Parker Jr.) led the way through stations of 26 4/5, 56 4/5, and 1:25 3/5, and a 28 1/5 final kicker got her to the wire a length and a quarter ahead of 2-5 favorite May Baby (James Yoder) in a 1:53 4/5 mile. ER Kim (Bradley Ferguson) checked in third.

Morairtime, a 5-year-old daughter of Airzoom Lindy, is trained by Carol Jamieson-Parker for owner James Moore III. Morairtime made her 18th appearance in the winner's circle, pushed her bankroll to $337,167, and paid $6.80 to win as the 2-1 second choice.

Whata Swan (Trace Tetrick) was a 1:52 3/5 winner in the $50,000 final for male trotters. Bridge To Jesse's (De Long) chopped out the quarter in 26 4/5, but Tetrick brought Whata Swan out of the two-hole to take charge past that marker. Whata Swan was well-rated through a 56 3/5 half and a 1:25 2/5 three-quarters, then drew off to score by 3 1/4 lengths over Bridge To Jesse's. DG's Caviar (Andy Shetler) grabbed third.

A 5-year-old Swan For All stallion, Whata Swan is trained by Luis Quevedo for owner John Barnard. Whata Swan has a record of 26-10-13 from 89 lifetime tries, he has now pocketed $401,293, and he returned $2.40 to win as the 1-5 favorite.