Harrah's Hoosier Park: Agent Of Fortune, Ponda Title dominate in Indiana Sires Stakes

Stakes action for 2-year-olds got underway at Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Tuesday, July 11 as the trotting fillies were first to step into the spotlight. Two Indiana Sires Stakes divisions highlighted the 13-race card, the first of six legs as horses seek to earn points for the $250,000 Super Final on Thursday, October 12.

Agent Of Fortune wouldn't need much luck as she romped in the $67,000 first flight, which went off as the ninth race. Leaving from the middle of the gate in post five, Robert Taylor opted to land mid-pack in sixth in the early going as Black Gold and James Yoder, along with Full Coverage and John De Long, engaged in a speed duel on the front-end through an opening quarter of 28 seconds. The two fillies kept things contentious on the engine as Black Gold held her ground on the rail up the backstretch towards the opening half in 57 1/5 before Full Coverage went off-stride. Black Gold wouldn't be lonely on the lead for long, though, as Summer Getaway and Mike Oosting pocket popped going to the 1:26 4/5 three-quarters, with Ponda Grace and Trace Tetrick and Agent Of Fortune hot in pursuit second- and third-over, respectively.

Taylor swung Agent Of Fortune wide at the top of the lane, and she would immediately grab the racetrack. Gobbling up ground with a 27 3/5 final quarter, Agent Of Fortune opened up to a 6 3/4 length lead at the wire, stopping the clock in a lifetime-best 1:55 1/5. Ponda Grace would rally for second, with Black Gold and Yoder holding gamely for the third position.

Bred by Black Creek Farm, it was the third win in five career starts for rookie daughter of Dover Dan, out of the Lucky Chucky mare Posterity. Also trained by Taylor, Agent Of Fortune has now banked $38,500 for owners Taylor Racing LLC. and Robert Paddock, who bought the filly for a $12,000 price tag at last fall's Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale.

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In the $66,500 second split in the evening's 11th race, Ponda Title cruised to victory. keeping her perfect record going. Faced with post seven in the field of nine, driver Kyle Wilfong wasted no time putting Ponda Title on the front-end, crossing over to the rail before the first turn and then guiding the field to an opening quarter of 28 1/5. Ponda Title had things her way up the backstretch as she controlled things to the halfway point in 57 3/5, with the bettors' second choice, Final Text and John De Long, stalking the leader in second. Pressure would come in the form of Swans Morning Song and Trace Tetrick first-up as Ponda Title continued to set the pace to three-quarters in 1:26 3/5.

As the field turned for home, Ponda Title would quickly ease any concern there may have been for her spotless resume as she quickly gained separation on the field at the top of the lane. Ponda Title held the field at bay behind a 28 3/5 final quarter to cruise to victory by 3 3/4 lengths in 1:55 1/5 over Truly Unbelievable and Kyle Husted, who rallied at big odds of 69-1 for place. Swans Morning Song held for third to round out the trifecta.

Trained by Jay Hochstetler, Ponda Title is owned by Connie Hochstetler and Robert Buddig. Bred by Pond-A-Acres, Ponda Title is a daughter of 2010 Hambletonian champion Muscle Massive, and out of the near $400,000 earning Angus Hall mare Elin.

Racing action continues at Harrah's Hoosier Park on Wednesday, July 12 with a 14-race card where two groupings of Indiana Sires Stakes for the 2-year-old pacing fillies will highlight the card. Gamblers will also have a $10,000 guaranteed Hoosier High Five pool in the 14th race finale to shoot at. That $10,000 guarantee is offered on the Hoosier High Five every weeknight of the 2023 live racing season.

--edited press release (Harrah's Hoosier Park)--