Harrah's Hoosier Park Favorites foiled in Indiana Sires Stakes
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Rookie colt and gelding trotters were in action in two Indiana Sires Stakes tilts on Saturday night at Harrah's Hoosier Park, and the winners were Elhelpski and Gruesome Twosome.
5-2 favorite Dashing Danny (Logan Loney) carved out fractions of 28 2/5, 58 4/5 and 1:28 2/5 in the first $67,500 division, but Elhelpski (Peter Wrenn), who had gone first-up from fourth coming to the half, had made his way into second at three-quarters. Elhelpski sustained his bid in the lane, took command with about an eighth of a mile to go, and drew clear to score by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:56 1/5, with Dashing Danny second and Ira Who (Daryl Bontrager) back in third.
A gelded son of Helpisontheway, Elhelpski was bred by John Bontrager Jr. and is trained by Melanie Wrenn for owners S&R Racing Stables, Bottom Line Racing LLC. and Wrenn Racing LLC. He broke his maiden in his second outing, has now earned $37,050 and paid $12.40 to win as a 5-1 offering.
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In the second $67,000 grouping Topville Sebastian (Joey Putnam) cleared to the point beyond the 27 4/5 quarter and then backed down the tempo to 58 seconds at the half and 1:27 3/5 at the three-quarters. Race favorite Flight Number One (John De Long) stalled out first-over in third before three-quarters, sending Gruesome Twosome (Daryl Bontrager) three-wide.
Topville Sebastian continued to show the way through most of the lengthy Harrah's Hoosier Park stretch drive, but Gruesome Twosome was surging on the far outside, and he would blow by Topville Sebastian late in the mile on his way to a 2 1/4 length victory in 1:56 1/5. Topville Sebastian had to settle for second, followed by Mel Gibswan (Brandon Bates).
Gruesome Twosome is a You Know You Do colt bred by Merle Yoder. Bontrager also trains and co-owns Gruesome Twosome, who has a record of 2-0-0 from three starts and a bankroll of $38,000, with partner Ira Steinberg. Gruesome Twosome was dispatched at 33-1 and returned $68.60 to win.
Tuesday night's program at Harrah's Hoosier Park will feature a $8,980.97 carryover and a $30,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick 5 in race one, a $4,723.20 carryover and a $20,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick 4 in race three and a $5,050.66 carryover and a $25,000 guaranteed pool in the Super Hi-5 in race 13.