Harrah's Hoosier Park: Inverness Ave, Nighthawk Zette conquer in Indiana Sire Stakes

Inverness Ave and Nighthawk Zette secured big wins as they took down their respective rivals in two $49,500 divisions of the sixth leg of Indiana Sire Stakes action for 3-year-old colts and geldings trotters at Harrah's Hoosier Park on Thursday (August 20).

At odds of 22-1 in the first $49,500 split, Inverness Ave, driven by Kevin Lambright for trainer Ernie Gaskin, played underdog, winning and upending the previously-unbeaten in 2026 Dan D Man Can.

Leaving from post five, Inverness Ave found easy access to the rail to fourth while Swan Affect (Marcus Miller) rode the inside in post one to the first quarter in 28 seconds. After sitting single-file on the backstretch, the post-time favorite Dan D Man Can (Atlee Bender) asserted his will, gliding to the front of the seven-horse field to the halfway pole in 57 3/5.

On the turn, Inverness Ave advanced from fourth, and he cruised alongside Dan D Man Can, who led at the three-quarters in 1:25.2. Down the stretch, the trotters faced a familiar sight as Dan D Man Can continued to fend off any challenges, but Inverness Ave wrote a different ending this time. He wore down the leader in the closing strides, crossing the wire in 1:52 3/5 and defeating Dan D Man Can by three-quarters of a length. Swan Affect held for third.

The Helpisontheway gelding is owned by Theodore Engel, Douglas Shore and Ernest Gaskin Stables Inc. Inverness Ave was bred by The Bay's Stable LLC., Polger Holdings LLC., and Little E LLC. Boosting his lifetime earnings to $167,585, Inverness Ave paid $46.60 to win.

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In the second slate of INSS, Nighthawk Zette, driven and trained by LeWayne Miller, surged late to secure a sixth win of the season.

Calmly out of the gate from post six, Nighthawk Zettle elected to see the field in front of him from fourth as Woodside Julius (Marcus Miller) led at the first quarter in 27 seconds. Bravo Alpha (Trace Tetrick) wasted no time after the turn, transitioning to the helm as he held the advantage to the half-mile mark in 55 4/5. The seven-horse field remained unchanged around the final bend with Bravo Alpha sitting comfortably in the lead to three-quarters in 1:24 4/5.

Working his way from the back, Nighthawk Zette chased down the leader as he picked off Swan Jayden (Jordan Ross) and Woodside Julius. Taking aim at Bravo Alpha, Nighthawk Zette trotted his last quarter in 27 2/5, and he nailed the leader at the wire in 1:53 2/5, prevailing by a quarter-length. Bravo Alpha settled for second, while Woodside Julius claimed third.

Nighthawk Zette improved his lifetime earnings to $112,770. Owned by L&S Racing, Lyndar Stables, and Richard Freese, Nighthawk Zette was bred by Cozette Mc Avoy.

Tomorrow's (August 21) 14-race card features a host of INSS action, with the fourth leg for rookie trotting fillies, the third leg for the 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings and the seventh leg for sophomore male pacers. The Friday card offers the $10,000 guaranteed late Pick 4 and the $10,000 guaranteed late Hoosier High 5 done in partnership with the USTA's Strategic Wagering program.

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