Harrah's Hoosier Park: Fillies by Rockin Image shine in Indiana Sires Stakes

A pair of Indiana Sires Stakes divisions for 2-year-old pacing fillies were showcased at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Thursday, August 29 and brought forth impressive performances. Priceless and Grace Rocks each won their respective $73,670 divisions and did so with authority.

After suffering the first loss of her young career in stakes action last week, Priceless rebounded gamely and was the faster of the divisional winners with a 1:51 4/5 score. With trainer Brandon Bates also at the lines, Priceless converted a pocket trip into a 3 1/2 length victory to establish a new lifetime-best clocking.

Leaving from post two in the competitive field of 11, Bates sent Priceless away from the gate and would win the early tussle for position to grab the lead in 26 4/5. John DeLong was offensive minded with Seventimesacharm, and she would grab command just before the snappy 54 3/5 half.

Seventimesacharm hit the three-quarters in 1:23.4 and when the field turned for home, Trace Tetrick had the slight post time favorite Foxy Rigger applying pressure from first-over. With an undefeated streak on the line, Foxy Rigger appeared to be up to the task, but Priceless was looming large in the pocket.

Utilizing the passing lane and a 27 3/5 final brush, Priceless powered home to finish in front of Foxy Rigger, while Sombodyslilly and Mike Oosting got up for third place honors as one of the longest shots on the board. Sent off at odds of 9-5, Priceless returned $5.80 to her backers at the betting windows.

“She scoped sick last week,” Bates noted in the winner’s circle. “We took care of that and scoped her yesterday and she was perfect. Tonight was the best trip she’s had in a while; she loves to race off a helmet and loves to chase horses.”

With the win, the daughter of Rockin Image-Btwnyurheartnmine recorded her fourth win from five lifetime outings. Priceless pushed her lifetime bankroll to $88,662 for owners Kevin Miller and Bert Hochsprung.

In the second division of the stakes action, Grace Rocks continued her winning ways and turned in another dominant performance to score in 1:53 2/5. With Sam Widger in the sulky, Grace Rocks switched up her tactics and opted for a trip off-the-pace to deliver as the heavy 1-9 favorite.

Unhurried from the gate, Grace Rocks found a spot along the rail in fifth while a host of others left aggressively. Bluebird Love and Todd Warren were the first to get a call through the opening quarter in 26 3/5 before yielding the lead to Flirtinwithtrouble and Bates just before the 55 2/5 half.

Kickin Up My Heels and Tetrick were the first to commit to the outer flow, and Widger quickly grabbed the cover with Grace Rocks. As the field reached the three-quarters in 1:24 3/5, Kickin Up My Heels was able to put away Flirtinwithtrouble, and the rest of the field was also closing in quickly. Widger tipped Grace Rocks and the filly appeared to cruise to the wire with ease, finishing two lengths in front of Kickin Up My Heels. Flirtinwithtrouble held on for third. Grace Rocks returned $2.20 to her backers at the betting windows.

“She just does everything that she’s asked,” trainer Ronnie Roberts noted of his filly. “She’s a sweetheart. Not only is she a pleasure to train, but she’s a pleasure to be around as well.”

With the win, Grace Rocks recorded her fifth straight victory and third straight Indiana Sires Stakes victory. The daughter of Rockin Image-Cosmic Grace has five wins and one second from six starts this season. Owned by Howard Taylor, Grace Rocks now sports a lifetime bankroll of $90,250.

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