Harrah's Hoosier Park: Somemore Blue evens things up with Whoomp in Indiana Sire Stakes

Meeting for the sixth time this year, Somemore Blue, driven by Marcus Miller for trainer Erv Miller, slugged it out with her rival Whoomp to secure a statement win in the lone $95,000 division of the seventh leg of Indiana Sire Stakes for 3-year-old filly pacers on Thursday (August 27) at Harrah's Hoosier Park. The "series" is now tied at three wins apiece between Somemore Blue and Whoomp, alternating victories in each meeting.

Drawing post four, Somemore Blue lined up out of the gate on the inside of the post time favorite Whoomp (John De Long), who rocketed to the front of the eight-horse field, stopping the first quarter timer in 26 seconds. Looking to control the fractions, Whoomp held firm in the lead with the rest of the field following suit through the halfway mark in 55 3/5. The pacers stayed single-file on the final turn as Somemore Blue loomed behind the leader, with Treacherous Woman (Kyle Wilfong) holding down the fort in third.

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Dueling down the stretch after Whoomp hit three-quarters in 1:24 3/5, Somemore Blue saved her best for last as she fired on Whoomp along the outside to win this battle, reaching the wire in 1:50.2 and scoring by a half-length. Whoomp settled for second, while Treacherous Woman held for third.

Somemore Blue is owned by Stepbystep Racing, Kenneth Duffy, Lava Java Stable and Never 2 Late Stable. The Rockin Image-Misssomebeach Blue filly was bred by Lavon Miller. Somemore Blue collected her fifth win of the season as she lifted her lifetime earnings to $523,566. Somemore Blue paid $4.60 to win.

Indiana Sire Stakes action continues tomorrow (August 28) with the two divisions (worth $64,500 and $65,000) for 2-year-old male pacers, as Mr Bear looks to defend his crown and perfect start to his career in the fourth leg. The 14-race Friday night card will feature a $7,980 carryover in the early Hoosier High Five in Race 7, plus the $10,000 guaranteed late Pick 4 and the $10,000 guaranteed late Hoosier High 5 done in partnership with the USTA's Strategic Wagering program.

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