Harrah's Hoosier Park: Bender goes two-for-two in Indiana Sire Stakes

Atlee Bender ended the week of racing at Harrah's Hoosier Park in style, racking up five wins on the night, including sweeping both $67,500 divisions of Indiana Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies on Saturday, July 25.

Bender's first victory on the evening came as a stunner, driving the Jeff Cullipher trained Gladden, who stormed late in the stretch to score at 27-1 from the second-tier.

Gladden was away in sixth early from post 10; meanwhile Janae (Jordan Ross) shot out of the gate the quickest to take control of the lead to the quarter in 28 2/5 with Rebuffpinklady (Kevin Lambright) keeping up in second. On the backstretch the field continued in the same alignment with Janae, Rebuffpinklady and 1-5 favorite Unburdened (Marcus Miller) hitting the halfway pole in 58 3/5 as Gladden joined the outer flow from seventh.

Janae's lead continued to hold strong to the three-quarters in 1:28 2/5 as Unburdened moved sharply first-up on the leader. Unburdened was able to wear down Janae in the stretch and looked to set sail for the finish line, but from seventh and fourth-over, Gladden blitzed along the far outside in 26 4/5, nailing Unburdened by a head on the wire. Janae held sway for the show spot.

Gladden cashed in her first win of the season in her second try for a lifetime total of $33,750. The Temporal Hanover-Pleaspleaspleas filly is owned by Duane Miller and Jeff Cullipher. Gladden, who paid $57.60 to win, was also bred by Duane Miller.

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In the second division, Bender scored with the pocket-sitter Redice as the 5-2 second choice for trainer Erv Miller.

Leaving from the rail, Redice secured the pocket trip behind a revved-up Satin Serenade (John De Long), who took control of the field of nine to the quarter in 27 3/5. The lead duo remained the same to the half in 57 seconds before 6-5 favorite Dance Remix (Jordan Ross) tipped to the outside from fourth. Anticipating that move, Redice moved to the outside on the far turn, snatching the lead from Satin Serenade before three-quarters in 1:26 4/5. Redice was gone from there, powering clear by five lengths in a dominant display through the stretch to win in 1:55. Dance Remix got up for second, with Finish Big (Robert Taylor) third.

It was the second win in four outings this season for Redice. The daughter of Rebuff-Fuzzy Dice was bred by Kjell Andersen, Lucas Wallin and Pieter Delis and has banked $68,750 for owners Ervin Miller Stable, Anthony Lombardi and Stepbystep racing.

That victory kicked off a natural grand slam in the bike for Bender to get to five wins. He also prevailed with Kaks The Boss ($5.20, 1:51 2/5), Docini ($6.20, 1:58) and Lady Panera ($3.40, 1:52 3/5). The last two were trained by Erv Miller, giving the conditioner a hat-trick on the night.

In addition to the action on track, Harrah's Hoosier Park conducted Empire of Hope, raising $50,843 for the Standardbred Transition Alliance over the course of the last year.

Racing returns to Harrah's Hoosier Park on Tuesday, July 28 with a 14-race program featuring Indiana Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies. The program gets underway at 5:30 p.m. (EDT) and also includes $10,000 guarantees on the late Pick 4 (races 11-14) and late High 5 (race 14) done in partnership with the USTA's Strategic Wagering Program.

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