Harrah's Hoosier: Odds On Osiris stars in return to Indiana

Odds On Osiris won in his return to the Hoosier State and Dojea Gizmo posted a 15-1 upset in the two Indiana Sires Stakes events for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Friday night at Harrah's Hoosier Park.

In the first $33,500 flight, Odds On Osiris (Peter Wrenn) settled in fifth from post seven while Crook Boyzz (Brandon Bates) shot out to the top and posted a 26 2/5 opening quarter. The Candyman Can (Sam Widger) was two-wide at that point, but he was able to back into the pocket after the quarter. As the field raced through the backstretch, Wrenn moved Odds On Osiris to the outside, and he advanced up steadily, wrestling the top spot away from Crook Boyzz after a 55 2/5 half. Odds On Osiris kept in front around the last turn and to the 1:23 3/5 three-quarters, and though Crook Boyzz came out two-wide in the lane with dead-aim, Odds On Osiris wouldn't let him by, staying in front to win by a length and a half in 1:50 1/5. Always And Again (John De Long) got third.

A gelding by Rockin Image, Odds On Osiris is trained by Melanie Wrenn for owner Odds On Racing. This was his tenth career win, and he has now earned $576,425. The 1-5 favorite, he paid $2.60 to win.

"We decided to add Lasix because he did bleed a bit in the North America Cup," Melanie Wrenn said. "He's been a consistent athlete. At 2 we tried to find how he likes to race best, but this year he has really found his way to race."

Trainer-driver Dan Shetler brushed Dojea Gizmo from third to first after the 27 2/5 quarter in the second $33,000 division and touched down on the point before the 56 4/5 half. Dojea Gizmo resisted a first-over try by Caribbean Escape (De Long) around the final bend and through the 1:24 3/5 three-quarters, then dug in gamely when pocket-sitter Family Recipe (James Yoder) came with a two-wide bid in the last eighth, prevailing by a quarter of a length in 1:51. Clever Character (Ricky Macomber Jr.) collected third.

"We didn't really race him as a 2-year-old," Shetler remarked, "but I always knew he had that speed. He's incredibly versatile and durable."

Shelter also co-owns and bred the winner, a Tellitlikeitis gelding, with partner Dojea Stables. Dojea Gizmo now has a record of 5-4-5 from 18 appearances, and he has now banked $74,343. He returned $32.40 to win.

--quotes courtesy of Harrah's Hoosier Park--