Harrah's Hoosier Park: Eighteen straight for On To Norway

The sophomore sensation On To Norway continued his Indiana onslaught, reeling off his 18th consecutive victory as the headliner in Pegasus action during the 14-race Friday (Oct. 17) program at Harrah's Hoosier Park.

In the $45,000 lone split for sophomore trotting colts and geldings, On To Norway left from post six with pilot John De Long as the 1-9 favorite. On To Norway floated away in fourth early while Operator (Kyle Wilfong) trotted to the top through a 27 4/5 opening quarter. Operator tapped the brakes to the half in 56 4/5 when On To Norway launched his first-over bid, moving to the leader's wheel at three-quarters in 1:25 2/5. The rivals dropped the gloves in the stretch with On To Norway grabbing a short advantage in the lane while Operator refused to go away. On To Norway trotted home in 27 1/5 to get to the wire a half-length clear of a dead-game Operator in 1:52 4/5; it was 6 1/2 lengths back to third place finisher Sure Did (LeWayne Miller).

Trained by Ron Burke, On To Norway has won 18 of 19 on the year, banking $449,344 for owners Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, Black & White Stable and Michael Rosenthal.

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Driver Atlee Bender swept both $20,000 Pegasus splits for 3-year-old filly pacers, taking the first with Wunderkindbluechip ($17.40) in 1:51 3/5 for trainer Erv Miller before taking the second with Baret ($8.80) for trainer Brett Pelling.

The two $22,000 3-year-old colt and gelding pace divisions featured a pair of pocket-rocket upset winners, the first going to Deal The Odds ($22) with Joey Putnam doing the driving for his father Joe. Meanwhile, Chandler Bing ($17.60) delivered a 1:49 4/5 victory in the second for trainer Alvin Miller.

Better Tak'em ($7) crushed on the front-end in the $20,000 first division for 3-year-old trotting fillies in 1:54 2/5 with Jordan Ross driving for Henry Graber Jr. The $22,000 second split went to Fifty To Win ($5.80), also in 1:54 2/5 after a pocket trip for the father and son combination of Marcus and Erv Miller.

The week of racing concludes at Harrah's Hoosier Park with a nine-race program on Saturday (Oct. 19) with a first post of 5:30 p.m. (EDT).

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