Harrah's Hoosier Park: Brookview El Zorro, Flight Number One deliver in Indiana Sires Stakes

A week's worth of Indiana Sires Stakes contests concluded on Saturday night at Harrah's Hoosier Park with two $66,000 duels for rookie colt and gelding trotters.

Brookview El Zorro (Atlee Bender) surged from third to first past the 28 2/5 opening quarter in the first division, and after putting up a 59 1/5 half and a 1:30 2/5 three-quarters, he had a 27 4/5 kicker in reserve to prevail by two lengths in 1:58 1/5. Early leader Ponda Marshall (Ricky Macomber Jr.) held second at 39-1 and Uncle Archie (Doug Rideout) checked in third.

Bred by Brookview Farms, Brookview El Zorro, a Swan In A Million gelding, is owned by trainer Erv Miller in partnership with Doug Overhiser, Lou Willinger and Engel Stable Of IL LLC. Brookview El Zorro has two wins from three starts, has put away $39,700 and paid $6.00 to win as the 2-1 second choice.

In the other section Mel Gibswan (Brandon Bates) took command past the 28 3/5 opening quarter and then backed down the tempo to 59 seconds at the half and 1:29 at three-quarters. Meanwhile, 3-5 favorite Flight Number One (John De Long) made steady progress after going first-over out of fifth prior to the half and was positioned in second turning for home.

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Mel Gibswan continued on the engine through most of the lengthy Harrah's Hoosier Park stretch, but Flight Number One kept coming determinedly on the outside and got to the wire first, defeating Mel Gibswan by a nose in a 1:57 3/5 mile. Raylan Drew (Trace Tetrick) finished third.

A Pilot Discretion gelding, Flight Number One is trained by Missy Essig for owners Matthew Miller and John McGill. Bred by Elmer Miller Jr., Flight Number One is three-for-three thus far, boosted his earnings to $48,500 and returned $3.20 to win.