Harrah's Hoosier Park: Melander-trained trifecta in Jim Doherty Memorial

For most of the $483,350 Grade 1 Jim Doherty Memorial at Harrah's Hoosier Park on Friday, night it looked like a training trip for trainer Marcus Melander, as his three quality 2-year-old trotting fillies strolled around the track in order and headed into the homestretch. Favored Athena's Girl, fresh off a win in the Grade 1 Peaceful Way, had the front but was being pursued along the inside by stablemate Two Day Hangover and on the outside by Birr Castle. When the threesome crossed the wire, it was Scott Zeron guiding Birr Castle to her fifth win in six career starts in a 1:53 2/5 clocking.

Birr Castle left assertively from the pole position but yielded to Two Day Hangover, with Mattias Melander, on the opening bend. Melander didn't put up a fight when Dexter Dunn arrived at the 27 3/5 opening quarter with Athena's Girl, settling into the pocket. Dunn and Athena's Girl cruised through the middle-half with fractions of 57 1/5 and 1:26 before Zeron moved Birr Castle off the pylons and went on the offensive.

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Athena's Girl held strong through much of the stretch with Two Day Hangover threatening to her left flank and Birr Castle closing the gap on her right. A final quarter in 27 2/5 was the result, with the outcome in doubt nearly until the final stride as Birr Castle, a recent Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion, owned and bred by Pleasant Hill Farms of Cream Ridge, New Jersey, returned $5.20 as the second choice in the field of seven. Rbssouthwindcentra finished fourth.

Melander spoke of the future for his top-three finishers.

"Athena's Girl will go to Mohawk for the Mohawk Million (September 26)," said Melander. "Birr Castle and Two Day Hangover will go to Lexington for the Grand Circuit and then hopefully on to the Breeders Crown."

With the Doherty Memorial victory, Birr Castle earned a spot in her Breeders Crown final.