Harrah's Hoosier Park: Big Ranger blows away rivals in Carl Erskine Memorial

Big Ranger bounced back in a back way just six days removed from a third-place finish in the Breeders Crown, as the Ohio-bred son of In Range set a stakes record in capturing the Grade 2 $200,000 Carl Erskine Memorial at Harrah's Hoosier Park in a 1:51 2/5 clocking. Tim Tetrick guided the sophomore from the Anette Lorentzon stable, using a different strategy than in the Breeders Crown and paying dividends.

Captain Naughty and Swan Affect left with purpose, taking control of the pace in the early stages. Second choice Dan D Man Can also tried leaving but made a miscue before the turn and was never a factor. Tetrick left cautiously and ducked into a three-hole with Big Ranger before hitting the first turn.

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Captain Naughty, with Jordan Ross in the bike, cut the quarter in 27 2/5 and the half in ;56 2/5 as Tetrick sat chilly, waiting for the right time to move. Big Ranger vacated the pylons with three-eighths of a mile remaining and shifted into high gear, quickly leaving AI in the dust and moving right past the pace-setter at three-quarters in 1:25 even.

The race was over entering the stretch, and Big Ranger was the story as he blistered a final quarter in 26 2/5 with Tetrick motionless in the bike. AI, with Ronnie Wrenn Jr., easily salvaged the place spot, well ahead of Twin B Seven Sins in third.

As the shortest possible favorite, Big Ranger returned $2.10 to win. It was the ninth win in 14 starts this year for Big Ranger, who is owned by Madison Global and was bred by Spring Haven Farm.