Harrah's Hoosier Park: Strong Poison stars in USS Indianapolis Memorial

Strong Poison, who won her elimination and then was fifth in the final of the Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Filly Pace, was a 1:50 4/5 victor in the $105,000 USS Indianapolis Memorial on Friday night at Harrah's Hoosier Park.

Driven by Yannick Gingras, Strong Poison got away third while Rollin Rosie (Trace Tetrick) and Beach Cowgirl (Brian Sears) gunned towards the front. Rollin Rosie yielded to Beach Cowgirl at the 26 4/5 quarter, but as the pace began to slow past that marker, Gingras seized the opportunity to wheel his filly out. Strong Poison advanced steadily on the rim, and she became the new tempo-setter approaching the half of just 55 4/5.

After Strong Poison touched down on the point, fellow Ron Burke trainee Southwind Bella (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) tipped first-over out of the sixth position, and she came with a rush that carried her into second and alongside her stablemate en route to the 1:23 4/5 three-quarters. Southwind Bella couldn't sustain her bid in the lane, though, as Strong Poison accelerated to put her away, then kept clear from Beach Cowgirl in the passing lane to prevail by 2 3/4 lengths. Southwind Bella wound up third and Rollin Rosie checked in fourth.

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"The way it shook out, I got away third, so it's front or first-up. I'll take the front," Gingras explained about his strategy. "I don't think she was probably 100 percent (in the Breeders Crown final). Today, I thought she was much better. I've raced against Beach Cowgirl for two years and I know how nice she is, but when Strong Poison's on her game, she's tough to beat, too."

A daughter of Always B Miki bred by Steve Stewart, the late Cotton Nash and Julie Nash, Strong Poison is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC., J&T Silva Stables LLC., Knox Services Inc. and Beasty LLC. She has a record of 9-9-4 from 27 starts, has put away $831,475 and paid $3.40 to win as the favorite.