Harrah's Hoosier Park: Nadia Lobell crown goes to Sylph Hanover

Sylph Hanover watched hot fractions and battling leaders up front, then came with a nice closing kick in the lane that propelled her to a 1:50 2/5 victory in Friday evening's $150,000 Nadia Lobell for 3-year-old pacing fillies at Harrah's Hoosier Park.

Starting from post four and driven by Sam Widger, Sylph Hanover took back off the gate and settled into eighth while even-money favorite Rockn Philly (Trace Tetrick) cleared Glorious Virgin (Brandon Bates) for command passing the 25 4/5 opening quarter.

The action remained hot in the middle-half as Sweet Heaven (John De Long) flushed out Queen Of The Pride (Tony Hall) from third, and Queen Of The Pride advanced on, looping Rockn Philly for first as they raced near the 53 3/5 half. Even though she lost cover, Sweet Heaven did not lose interest, dueling with Queen Of The Pride through three-quarters in 1:21 2/5. St Somewhere (Ricky Macomber Jr.) was following the live cover from second-over, with Lady Capulet (Andy Shetler) third-over and Sylph Hanover behind her in the fourth-over position.

Queen Of The Pride managed to put away Sweet Heaven in the lane and tried to cling to her advantage, but the closers were coming in the last eighth, and Sylph Hanover had the best momentum way out in the center of the racetrack, finishing in 28 seconds flat to get up and win by a length and a half in a new lifetime-best clocking. Lady Capulet was second at 23-1, while Queen Of The Pride had to settle for third. Pace Baby Pace (Lewayne Miller) got fourth, and Rockn Philly had to settle for fifth.

"She felt really good," remarked Widger. "She got to going in a little bit around the turn, so I had to nurse her through there a little bit, but once we straightened up she just put her head down and went on."

Ron Burke trains Sylph Hanover, a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere, for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., William Switala, James Martin, and Joseph Critelli. This was her sixth career victory, and she has now earned $448,311. She was sent off at 5-1 and paid $13.20 to win.