Harrah's Hoosier Park: Better Tak'em fends off stablemates in Indiana Sire Stakes

It was a good night at the office for trainer Henry Graber Jr. as his trainees once again swept the trifecta, led by Better Tak'em, in the lone $95,500 division of the fourth leg of Indiana Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Wednesday (July 16) at Harrah's Hoosier Park.

Leaving from post five as the 2-1 second choice with Jordan Ross serving as pilot, Better Tak'em left alertly, racing to the outside of leader Swan Jewel (Marcus Miller) through an opening quarter of 28 seconds. Better Tak'em cleared on the backstretch before tapping the brakes to the halfway point in 57 2/5. Better Tak'em took pressure on the final turn from Martz Seven (Atlee Bender), who towed 8-5 favorite Miracle Maven (John De Long) into contention second-over at three-quarters in 1:27 1/5.

Better Tak'em turned away Martz Seven at the top of the lane and was soon faced with her two stablemates, Miracle Maven and Classical Jane (Trace Tetrick), moving within striking distance on the wide side. Trotting home in 28 1/5, Better Tak'em reached the wire first 1 1/4 lengths clear of Miracle Maven in 1:55 2/5, with Classical Jane finishing third, two lengths back of the winner.

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Graber Jr. also co-owns the winning daughter of Don't Let'em-Barmaid along with Indiana Stables. Better Tak'em has won two of four on the season while going over six figures in earnings in 2025. Better Tak’em has now won half of her 12 lifetime starts, banking $227,145 while only failing to hit the board once in her career.

Racing continues at Harrah's Hoosier Park on Thursday (July 17) with a 14-race card featuring two divisions of Indiana Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings. The Thursday card also includes $10,000 guarantees on both the late Pick 4 (races 11-14) and late Hoosier High 5 (race 14), with both of those guarantees done in partnership with the USTA's Strategic Wagering Program.

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