Harrah's Hoosier Park: Ponda Title, Ponda Grace prevail in Indiana Sires Stakes

Round two of six in the Indiana Sires Stakes for the 2-year-olds got underway on Tuesday, July 25 at Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Two $65,500 divisions for the trotting fillies highlighted the 14-race card, with Ponda Title and Ponda Grace each getting the job done.

Putting her perfect record on the line, Ponda Title was a decisive winner, picking up her fourth career victory in as many tries. Leaving from post six in the field of seven, driver Kyle Wilfong hustled Ponda Title straight to the front- end, finding themselves to the outside of Truly Unbelievable and Kyle Husted in a brief duel for the lead in an opening quarter of 27 3/5. Truly Unbelievable relinquished the lead to Ponda Title as the fillies made their way onto the backstretch, with Wilfong tapping the brakes in the second quarter to reach the half in 57 4/5. Ponda Title continued to have things her way on the point through the final turn, leading to three-quarters in 1:27 4/5 with Truly Unbelievable still second and Skyway Paige and LeWayne Miller first-over into third.

Ponda Title opened up a two length lead at the top of the lane as Truly Unbelievable vacated the pocket. Trotting home in 28 1/5, Ponda Title would complete the gate-to-wire victory by a length on the line over a determined Truly Unbelievable and Husted in 1:56. Skyway Paige and Miller would hold for third to round out the trifecta.

Bred by Pond-A-Acres, Ponda Title is a daughter of 2010 Hambletonian champion Muscle Massive and out of the Angus Hall mare Elin. Trained by Jay Hochstetler, Ponda Title has now banked $81,000 for owners Connie Hochstetler, Robert Buddig and Allen Schwartz.

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In the second grouping, Ponda Grace crossed the wire second, however would be declared the winner following an inquiry. The complexion of the race changed quickly as heavy 4-5 favorite Agent Of Fortune jumped it off behind the gate, with driver Atlee Bender electing to steer Ponda Grace into the third position from post six as James Yoder cut a 28 2/5 opening quarter with Misty Mills. Misty Mills would lead the fillies onto the backstretch towards the halfway point in 58 4/5, but pressure would come as LeWayne Miller unleashed Crystal Swan first-over. The two fillies dueled on the far turn, sprinting in tandem to three-quarters in 1:28 1/5 and putting three lengths on the third place Eves Romance and Jordan Ross.

It would be Crystal Swan who won the final turn skirmish, taking the fillies into the top of the stretch, but she would soon have company as Jordan Ross steered Eves Romance to the passing lane and Bender split rivals with Ponda Grace to her outside. The trio battled down to the wire with Crystal Swan digging in gamely and bracing for the hard-charging Ponda Grace, but Crystal Swan would go off-stride just prior to the wire, which she crossed first. However, Crystal Swan would be placed third for the lapped-on break, and Ponda Grace and Bender would be declared the winner, stopping the clock in 1:57 1/5 and trotting home in 28 1/5. Eves Romance and Ross finished third-placed-second.

Trained by Erv Miller, it was the second career victory in four career starts for the daughter of Swan For All-Much Fanfare. Bred by Alan Byler, the 1:57 1/5 clocking was a career-best effort for Ponda Grace and pushed her bankroll to $56,900 for owners Anthony Lombardi, Doug Overhiser and Panda Monium Stable.

Racing action continues at Harrah's Hoosier Park on Wednesday, July 26 with a 14-race card where two divisions of Indiana Sires Stakes for the 2-year-old pacing fillies will highlight action. Gamblers will also have a $10,000 guaranteed Hoosier High Five pool in the finale to shoot at; that $10,000 guarantee is offered on the Hoosier High Five every weeknight of the 2023 live racing season. For more information on the 2023 racing season at Harrah's Hoosier Park, guests are encouraged to visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.

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