Harrah's Hoosier: No catching Hot Mess Express in her Indiana comeback

Hot Mess Express was successful in her return to the Indiana Sires Stakes program on Saturday night at Harrah's Hoosier Park, winning her $49,000 split for 3-year-old pacing fillies in 1:49. Skyway Brittney posted a 7-1 upset in the other $49,500 division.

Driven by John De Long, Hot Mess Express went to the front from the outside post seven, carved out fractions of 26 2/5, 55 2/5, and 1:23, and sprinted a final quarter of 26 seconds to defeat Somethingbeautiful (Lewayne Miller) by a length and three-quarters in 1:49. Kobe's Gigi (Matt Krueger) came in third.

Tony Alagna trains Hot Mess Express, a daughter of Panther Hanover, for owner Sam Bowie. This was her 13th win from 20 career starts, and she has now earned $563,699. She paid $2.20 to win as the 1-9 favorite.

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In the other grouping, Like It Like That (Darrell Wright), Cruisin Pearl (Sam Widger) and Shelly Rockwell (James Yoder) each had a turn on the top through panels of 27 3/5, 57 1/5, and 1:24 3/5, but it was Skyway Brittney (Trace Tetrick), who was left first-over past the half when Shelly Rockwell took charge, who would get the win. After being positioned second on the outside at three-quarters, Skyway Brittney used a 26 4/5 final kicker to take over in the lane and pull away for a 2 1/2 length decision in 1:51 3/5. Shelly Rockwell was the runner-up, and Cruisin Pearl checked in third.

Trainer Zachary Miller also co-owns Skyway Brittney, a Rockin Image filly, with Dessa Miller. Skyway Brittney has compiled a record of 5-5-5 from 27 trips behind the gate, and she has now put away $134,740. She returned $16.20 to win.