Harrah's Hoosier Park: Shamwow, Tellmeaboutit deliver in Indiana Sires Stakes

Sophomore pacing colts and geldings were back in the spotlight and, as predicted, turned in ultra-competitive Indiana Sires Stakes performances on Friday, September 13 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. The evening featured two divisions, worth $49,000 and $49,500, in leg seven of eight for the group as the horses continue to march toward the upcoming Super Finals next month. Each split produced a slight upset, with victories from Shamwow and Tellmeaboutit.

In the first grouping Shamwow turned in a gritty performance to get the victory over rival Rockie Got Framed. After finishing second to Rockie Got Framed in his last two starts, Shamwow was able to turn the tables and stop the timer in 1:50, just a tick off his lifetime best, for trainer Melissa Essig.

When the wings of the gate opened, Rockie Got Framed (Ricky Macomber Jr.) quickly grabbed the lead, as he was looking his third consecutive stakes win. Alwaysasweetvictory (Todd Warren) settled in second, while Shamwow (LeWayne Miller) waited patiently in third, poised to attack through the opening quarter in 27 seconds. At the half in 55 3/5, Miller guided Shamwow to the outside and urged him to the front to grab the lead from Rockie Got Framed, who was content to sit in the pocket.

Ima Real Ladys Man (Mike Oosting) began pressuring the leader at the three-quarters in 1:23 4/5 and was able to stick a nose in front as the field turned for home. The top trio matched strides in the stretch, and it appeared to be anyone’s race. Using a 26 1/5 final quarter, Shamwow fought back gamely to get back in front and reach the wire first, followed by Rockie Got Framed in second and Shamwow in third. Shamwow paid $5.20 to win at the betting windows.

“I knew I wanted to be forwardly-placed,” Miller noted in the winner’s circle. “We’ve been trying to teach him how to race, and that was a big mile tonight by him. He raced really strong.”

Shamwow, the son of Always A Virgin-Bolero, has won five of eight lifietime starts and has yet to finish worse than second in his young career. Unraced as a 2-year-old, Shamwow now sports a lifetime bankroll of $96,875 for owner, breeder Cornerstone Stock Farm.

Not to be outdone, section two was the faster division of the night as Tellmeaboutit (Oosting) found the winner’s circle after a sizzling 1:48 4/5 effort. The 1:48 4/5 time was a new lifetime best for sophomore colt and just one-fifth of a second off of the current track record for 3-year-old pacing geldings.

Pure Rock (Rick Plano) used his customary front-stepping tactics to grab the lead from the coveted post five. Jagger Rocks (Sam Widger) followed in second, while Tellmeabout waited patiently in third. The field remained in straight formation through an opening split of 25 4/5, but just before the half Jagger Rocks was given the green light and grabbed the front position at the half in a snappy 53 2/5.

Tellmeaboutit began his attack on the leader when Oosting moved him first-over and he was able to take the lead just before the three-quarters went on the board in 1:21 4/5. Tellmeaboutit used the long quarter-mile stretch to bolster his lead on the field, and ultimately crossed the wire 3 3/4 lengths to the good. Little Rocket Man (Trace Tetrick) rallied from well back for second, while Ollie’s Ztam (Macomber Jr.) dug in for third. Tellmeaboutit paid $8.20 to win for his betting backers.

“I’ve always known he’s a nice colt,” trainer Alvin Miller revealed after the victory. “We’re just trying to keep everything together. He’s got a little bit of an ornery streak in him. I always knew he could go that fast, just wasn’t sure how far.”

Tellmeaboutit is the son of Tellitlikeitis-Portia Blue Chip and has now won nine of 23 lifetime starts. Bred by Lavon Miller, he now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $186,930 for owners Twila Harts and Alvin Miller.

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