Harrah's Hoosier Park: Rockin Nola shines in Indiana Sires Stakes competition

Rockin Nola, 2018's Indiana Sires Stakes champion freshman pacing filly, got her 3-year-old campaign started in the Hoosier State-sired ranks with a 1:51 tally in the second of three $34,500 divisions on Saturday night at Harrah's Hoosier Park.

Driver Lewayne Miller settled his filly in fourth through opening-half panels of 27 4/5 and 56 1/5, then made a quick dart to the top past the half. Rockin Nola opened up a gap on the field heading to the 1:24 three-quarters and tacked on a 27 second final quarter to prevail by 5 1/2 lengths over Queen Lagertha (John De Long), with Fully A Virgin (Trace Tetrick) back in third.

Trainer Joe Putnam also co-owns Rockin Nola, a daughter of Rockin Image, with partners Suttons Bay Racing and Novi Trot LLC. This was her sixth career win, and she has now earned $184,850. The 1-5 favorite, she paid $2.40 to win.

Back in the opening flight, Play For Pay (Brandon Bates), who set the pace, was passed by a first-over Tell Me Its Summer (Miller), but then dug deep in the lane and battled back to win by a head in 1:52 3/5. Tell Me Its Summer had to settle for second, and Pansy's Image (Tetrick) got third.

The victorious Tellitlikeitis filly is trained by Michael Arnold for owner Ira Steinberg. She is now a three-time winner, and she has pocketed $61,940. A 7-2 offering, she returned $9.00 to win.

The final section saw Dojea Rita (Mike Peterson), who sat a pocket trip through fractions of 27 1/5, 56, and 1:24 3/5, put in a determined effort between rivals in the stretch to score by a quarter of a length in 1:52 2/5. This Peach Rocks (De Long) was the runner-up, with Lady Capulet (Mike Oosting) the third-place finisher.

Dojea Rita, also by Tellitlikeitis, is trained by Donna Loney for owners Joe Smith and Michelle Graves. Dojea Rita made her 13th appearance in the winner's circle, and she has now put away $60,120. Dispatched at 9-1, Dojea Rita paid $20.80 to win.