Harrah's Hoosier Park: Burke Brigade sweeps Thursday's Indiana Sires Stakes

The Hoosier State's top 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings were in action at Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday, July 27 with two divisions of Indiana Sires Stakes action highlighting the evening's card. It was trainer Ron Burke who teamed up with driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. to sweep both events and deliver as the heavy betting favorite each time.

In the opening $67,500 tilt, Noblesville employed a near gate-to-wire strategy to win by nearly two lengths in 1:51 2/5. Jd's King James and Jordan Ross were the first to get a call through the opening panel in 27 4/5 before yielding the lead to Noblesville just before the half in 56 1/5. Noblesville appeared to relax on the front and reached the third station in 1:24 1/5.

Using a 27 2/5 closing kick, Noblesville kept Jd's King James at bay and held off an impressive late surge from Prestigious Prince and LeWayne Miller. Sent off at odds of 4-5, Noblesville returned $3.80 to his backers at the betting windows.

With the victory, Noblesville recorded his second lifetime victory from three starts. The homebred son of Jk Endofanera-Happiness is owned in partnership by Weaver Bruscemi and Burke Racing Stable. Noblesville now sports a bankroll of $42,175 in his young career.

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Utilizing the same strategy in the second $68,000 flight, Wrenn Jr. sent Martz Telly away from the gate, and he did not disappoint to score in 1:52 4/5. Leaving from post five, Martz Telly had to work for his position but was on top by the opening quarter in 27 2/5. Premier Romeo and Kyle Wilfong enjoyed a pocket trip while Soul Rocker and Peter Wrenn were next in line third. Martz Telly coasted through splits of 57 4/5 and 1:25 4/5 before being joined on the outside by Stat That and LeWayne Miller.

Stat That and Martz Telly were on even-terms turning for home and battled all the way to the wire, but Martz Telly dug in gamely late and held sway by half a length. Stat That was forced to settle for second while Premier Romeo rounded out the trifecta. Sent off at odds of 6-5, Martz Telly returned $4.60 to his backers at the betting windows.

With the win, Martz Telly recorded his second lifetime victory from three outings and also established a new lifetime mark in the process. Owned in partnership by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services and Frank Baldachino, the gelded son of Tellitlikeitis-A And Gs Finest has now earned $44,440.

Indiana Sires Stakes action will continue at Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, July 28 with a $96,000 clash for the 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

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