Harrah's Hoosier Park: Chandler Bing, Hopeyaliketheshow victorious in Friday's Indiana Sires Stakes

Two-year-old pacing colts and geldings were the stars of the show on Friday's (Aug. 16) 13-race card at Harrah's Hoosier Park with two divisions of their third leg of Indiana Sires Stakes featured. If you backed Chandler Bing at the betting windows at 62-1, he was there for you. Meanwhile, the aptly-named Hopeyaliketheshow followed suit with a mild 7-2 surprise of his own in the second section.

With Jay Cross doing the driving, Chandler Bing left from post two in the field of eight in the $67,500 first flight. Cross settled Chandler Bing in the third spot while Freaky Feet Beast (Jordan Ross) was in command of a leisurely pace, reaching the quarter first in 29 2/5. Even-money favorite Deal The Odds (Joey Putnam) moved from the pocket to take over from Freaky Feet Beast at the half in 57 3/5. The pace began to pick up on the final turn, with Cross tipping Chandler Bing from third to lead the charge first-over, 3 1/2 lengths behind Deal The Odds at three-quarters in 1:26.

The sprint for home began in the lane with Chandler Bing reaching the wheel of Deal The Odds while Freaky Feet Beast looked to make his move up the passing lane. Rocketing home in 25 4/5, Chandler Bing charged to the lead before he scooted away by 2 1/4 lengths on the line in a career-best 1:52 2/5. Deal The Odds held gamely for the place position, with Freaky Feet Beast third.

A winner now in two of six on the season, Alvin Miller trains and co-owns Chandler Bing along with Twila Harts. The gelded son of Tellitlikeitis-Northern Beauty was bred by Glen Yoder and sports earnings of $45,290. Chandler Bing paid $126.80 for the upset victory.

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Hopeyaliketheshow teamed up with driver Trace Tetrick and utilized similar first-over tactics to score in the $67,000 second test, which immediately followed. Hopeyaliketheshow got away fourth from post six while the previously-unbeaten Big Al Derosa (Jordan Ross) led the field of seven to the quarter in 27 2/5. The 1-2 favorite went unchallenged to the half in 56 2/5 before Tetrick right-lined Hopeyaliketheshow to begin his first-over trek on the final turn. Hopeyaliketheshow went right at Big All Derosa, as the two rookies paced as a team to three-quarters in 1:25 3/5.

After turning for home, the two pacers continued to exchange blows in the lane before Hopeyaliketheshow grabbed a short lead in mid-stretch. Pacing home in 27 seconds, Hopeyaliketheshow edged clear late to reach the wire a length in front in a career-best 1:52 2/5. Big Bad Moses (Ricky Macomber Jr.) rallied late to finish second, while Starlit Millertime (Joey Putnam) came up the passing lane to finish third.

Trained by Ron Burke, Hopeyaliketheshow is a two-time winner in six career outings for owners Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi, Beasty and Knox Services. Bred by Randy, Tyler and Zane Wilt, the gelded son of JK Endofanera-Don't Forget boasts a bankroll of $79,968.

The week of racing concludes at Harrah's Hoosier Park on Saturday (Aug. 17), with a 12-race card slated to begin at 7:00 p.m. (EDT). Three-year-old pacing fillies will take center stage in a lone $94,500 division of leg six of Indiana Sires Stakes in the 10th race. Meanwhile, the card will get underway with a carryover of $2,853.13 in the early Pick 5 (races 1-5) with a guaranteed pool of $10,000.

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