Harrah's Hoosier Park: Indiana-sired horses serve notice in Grand Circuit triumphs

Indiana-sired Fulfullnmydestiny and Swift Swanda scored Grand Circuit victories on Friday night at Harrah's Hoosier Park by winning the $120,000 Elevation for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings and the $115,000 Moni Maker for sophomore trotting fillies, respectively.

Fulfullnmydestiny (James Yoder), who clocked the first sub-1:50 mile by a 2-year-old in Harrah's Hoosier Park history on September 10, took the lead away from Ponda Warrior (Brandon Bates) after a 27 3/5 opening quarter. Once he grabbed command, Fulfullnmydestiny went on to reach the half in 56 and the three-quarters in 1:23 1/5, then drew off powerfully in a 27 1/5 final kicker. He defeated Gentle Giant (Trace Tetrick) by 4 1/2 lengths in the 1:50 2/5 mile, with Ponda Warrior back in third.

"He does it so easy. He's such a classy animal. For him to be 2 and doing what he's doing is phenomenal," said Yoder, who trains the Tellitlikeitis-Driven By Destiny homebred for Brett Boyd Racing Inc. "I didn't think he was going to pace in 49 here, but he was doing everything right, and we staked him a little bit for later in the season. For a young horse, he's got so much versatility. You can take him off the back, race him off a helmet.

"After the sire stakes he's eligible to the Breeders Crown, so hopefully we'll take a shot at it. If he's healthy and sound, we'll go to the Breeders Crown."

The victorious gelding has compiled a record of 5-2-0 from eight tries, and he pushed his bankroll to $192,190. He was the 2-5 favorite and paid $2.80 to win.

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In the Moni Maker, Swift Swanda (Tetrick) put the quarter on the board in 28 1/5, but Aunt Irene (Dexter Dunn) tipped out from third after that station and brushed to the front prior to the 57 3/5 half. Aunt Irene maintained control to the 1:26 3/5 three-quarters and into the lane, but Tetrick angled Swift Swanda to the outside, and she was able to get by Aunt Irene on her way to the win by a length and a quarter in 1:54 2/5. Aunt Irene saved second over Darlene Hanover (Andrew McCarthy).

"Tonight, you can see, she likes a trip," stated Erv Miller, who trains Swift Swanda, a Swan For All filly bred by Lavon Miller, for owners Anthony Lombardi and The Kales Company LLC. If she comes off a horse's back, she's a little better. Just most of the time, the company she's racing in, Trace puts her on the front.

"She's got the Breeders Crown left. We'll stay at Hoosier until the (Indiana Sires Stakes) final, and then Breeders Crown."

Swift Swanda is now a 14-time winner from 23 career starts, and she has pocketed $436,180. She was the 2-1 second choice and returned $6.00 to win.