Harrah's Hoosier Park: No catching Swingforthefences in Carl Erskine Memorial

Swingforthefences put the field in line heading into the first turn and then proved an easy winner for driver Peter Wrenn in the $165,000 Carl Erskine at Harrah's Hoosier Park on Friday night. The 3-year-old altered son of Swan For All won for the fifth straight time over this surface, crossing the wire in 1:53 3/5.

Wrenn left with Swingforthefences from the pole position and had an early challenge from Sevenshadesofgrey and driver Yannick Gingras. Wrenn wanted no part of the pocket and seated his rival heading into the opening bend. Moments later, Sevenshadesofgrey would go off-stride, putting Platinum As in the pocket for driver Tim Tetrick.

Swingforthefences hit the opening quarter in 28 flat, and from there Wrenn rated the pace kindly, setting middle fractions of 56 4/5 and 1:25 2/5, as only Brookview Bolt made a mild advance from the back of the pack without cover.

In the homestretch Swingforthefences needed some encouragement, but once he got the message from his driver, he responded in kind, fending off the challenge of Platinum As to his outer flank and Seven Nation Army to his inside.

Trained by Melanie Wrenn, Swingforthefences won for the 10th time in 17 tries this year and has only missed the board on one occasion. Sent off as the 3-5 betting choice, Swingforthefences returned $3.20. Platinum As and Seven Nation Army were second and third, respectively.

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Owned by David McDuffee and L & L Devisser LLC., Swingforthefences has stakes races left on his schedule.

"He's eligible to the Matron and a few stakes here (Hoosier Park)," said Peter Wrenn following the race. "We'll see where we go."