Harrah's Hoosier Park: Rookie trotters duel in Indiana Sires Stakes

Two-year-old trotters were the featured attraction at Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday, August 24 as the evening's 14-race program was highlighted by a pair of Indiana Sires Stakes events for the fillies and two splits for the colts and geldings.

The driver-trainer/husband-wife combination of LeWayne and Susan Miller teamed up to sweep both tests for the fillies. In the first flight, Skyway Paige went gate-to-wire from post eight to score by two lengths in 1:55 3/5. It was the second win in seven starts and a new lifetime-best clocking for the filly.

The daughter of Swan For All-Prismatica has now earned $73,545 lifetime. Skyway Paige is owned in partnership by Hoosier Standardbred Farm, Ryan Raber, L & S Racing and Anthony Swartzentruber.

In the next grouping, Crystal Swan staged an incredible late rally to track down the heavily-favored and undefeated Ponda Title and driver Kyle Wilfong in the final strides of the mile. Stopping the timer in 1:55 4/5, Crystal Swan got the victory by a neck over the public choice, while Ponda Grace and Trace Tetrick finished third.

Crystal Swan recorded her third win from seven starts and also lowered her lifetime mark. The daughter of Swan For All-Tymal Hurricane is owned in partnership by First Chance Stable, Platinum Stables, David Postman and Ryan Raber and has now earned $77,458 in her career.

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The boys were up next, and it was Dashing Danny who turned in an impressive performance to take the first section in 1:55. Making his first start for new connections, Dashing Danny and driver Kyle Wilfong utilized an impressive late closing kick to track down the pace-setting Topville Sebastian and Joey Putnam to get the victory.

Now trained by Harrah's Hoosier Park's leading trainer, Jeff Cullipher, Dashing Danny recorded his ninth win from 12 lifetime starts. Owned in partnership by Pollack Racing LLC. and Cullipher, the gelded son of Dover Dan-Sashay now sports a bankroll of $76,087.

In the final clash, driver/trainer Daryl Bontrager utilized similar tactics to steer Gruesome Twosome to victory in 1:56 1/5. Using a 28 3/5 closing quarter, Gruesome Twosome out-sprinted his rivals to get the victory by a quarter of a length. Owned by Ira Steinberg and Daryl Bontrager, Gruesome Twosome has now won three of five lifetime starts. The son of You Know You Do-All Set Lets Go has earned $88,625.

Live racing for Thursday, August 15 has been cancelled out of an abundance of caution with forecasted excessive heat in the area. Live racing will resume on Friday, August 25 with a 14-race program featuring a $95,000 Indiana Sires Stakes showdown for 3-year-old male trotters. First post for Friday's live racing card will be 7:00 p.m.

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