Harrah's Hoosier Park: Churita becomes harness racing's newest millionaire

In addition to the rich Indiana Sires Stakes Super Finals for 2- and 3-year-olds on Friday night at Harrah's Hoosier Park, there were finals for the older Indiana-sired competitors as well.

For the second time in three years, Churita defeated Hannelore Hanover in the $70,000 mare trot, going over the $1 million mark in career earnings in the process.

Driver Trace Tetrick had Churita on the lead through panels of 27 2/5, 56, and 1:26 2/5 while Hannelore Hanover (Yannick Gingras) raced in third and then went first-up on the final bend. Hannelore Hanover had the entire length of the stretch to try and chase down Churita, but it was to no avail as the pace-setter held sway to win by a length and a half in 1:54 1/5. Compelling (Verlin Yoder) finished third.

Churita is a 7-year-old Airzoom Lindy mare trained by Matt Rheinheimer for owner Porterproffesionalservice. This was her 43rd career win, and she has now earned $1,011,925. An 8-1 shot, Churita paid $18.40 to win.

In the companion $68,000 final for older pacing mares, Rockin Serena (Peter Wrenn) fired to the front in a 26 1/5 opening quarter, then was overtaken by Seventimesavirgin (John De Long) passing the 56 second half-mile mark. Always Giggling (Gingras) would charge at Seventimesavirgin first-over after she took charge, and the top two mares were separated by just half a length at the 1:25 1/5 three-quarters. Golden Paradise (Tetrick) was towed into contention after following Always Giggling from second-over, then went three-wide coming off the far turn. In the lane Golden Paradise kicked around both Always Giggling and Seventimesavirgin, then fended off a third-over Rockin N Runnin (Ross Leonard) to score by half a length in 1:52 4/5. Always Giggling wound up third.

Trainer Tyler George also co-owns Golden Paradise, a 5-year-old daughter of Allthatgltrsisgold, with Sam Schillaci and Wrenn Jr. Racing LLC. She is now a 28-time winner, and she has put away $231,677. She was the 5-2 third choice, and she returned $7.40 to win.

Older trotting horses and geldings were up next, and Tetrick won again with heavy favorite Bridge To Jesse's in 1:53 1/5. He popped out of the pocket to get around Bluebird Rambo (Brandon Bates) past the 27 2/5 first quarter, then rang up middle-half stations of 56 1/5 and 1:25 2/5. Bridge To Jesse's opened up on the field in the third quarter and into the lane and was clear at the finish line, scoring by 3 1/2 lengths over Got The Groove (De Long). Born To Thrive (Rick Plano) finished third.

The victorious 6-year-old gelding by Jailhouse Jesse is co-owned by trainer Roger Welch along with William De Long, William P. De Long, and Ray De Long. Bridge To Jesse's, who was also an Indiana Sires Stakes champion at ages two, four, and five, scored his 39th lifetime victory, and he has a bankroll of $910,455. The 3-5 favorite, he paid $3.20 to win.

Incredible Shark (Sam Widger) pulled a 12-1 upset in the $50,000 older male pace final, rallying for a 1:51 decision. He got away seventh from the trailing post ten and worked out a third-over trip as first Tookadiveoffdipper (De Long) and then Shnitzledosomethin (Wrenn) rang up quick panels of 26 4/5, 54 1/5, and 1:22 3/5, with Shnitzledosomethin battling with a parked-out Granite (Todd Warren) to boot. The hot tempo and duel on the lead set it up for the closers in the lane and Incredible Shark fanned out widest and got up to defeat Rockin Speed (Jared Seekman), who had also gained through the lane from second-over, by a quarter of a length. Tookadiveoffdipper was third in the passing lane.

A 5-year-old gelded son of Shadyshark Hanover, Incredible Shark is owned by trainer Jeff Cullipher in partnership with Pollack Racing LLC. Incredible Shark has a record of 17-19-16 from 101 career efforts, and he has stashed away $332,499. He returned $27.40 to win.