Harrah's Hoosier Park: Sub 1:50 miles for Rockie Got Framed, Shamwow in sire stakes

Continuing a week of Indiana Sires Stakes action, it was the 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings turn in the spotlight, and they took center stage at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, July 26. Two divisions, worth $50,500 and $50,000, were the featured attraction on the evening’s 12 –race card, and both divisions provided for exciting performances, with victories from Rockie Got Framed and Shamwow.

The first division had all eyes on Little Rocket Man and Trace Tetrick as they were going for their third straight stakes victory. When the wings of the gate opened, Egomania with John De Long went straight for the lead from the outside post nine while Rockin Medicine with Peter Wrenn settled in second from the rail. Egomania led the field through fractions of 26 2/5 and 54 3/5 while Little Rocket Man moved up to second to challenge the leader.

Egomania held onto his lead through the three-quarters in 1:22 1/5, while Tellmeaboutit with LeWayne Miller were applying pressure first-over, with Rockie Got Framed and Ricky Macomber Jr. poised to strike from second-over. Tellmeaboutit was able to wear down Egomania but his biggest threat was still behind him. Utilizing a 27 second closing quarter, Rockie Got Framed powered home to get the win and stop the timer in 1:49 4/5. Tellmeaboutit was second, and Thuban, with Ross Leonard, rallied for third.

“We’ve taken our time with him,” trainer Jamie Macomber noted in the winner’s circle. “I’m teaching him to be patient and how to manage his speed. He’s so hard on himself, so I’ve found it’s good for him mentally to take a couple of weeks between races.”

Rockie Got Framed paid $11.80 to win at the betting windows. The son of Rockin Image-Carousel Frame now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $112,356 for owners Rocco Ruffolo and Eleven Star Stables.

Rounding out the stakes action, morning line and post time favorite Shamwow made his stakes debut a winning one for trainer Melissa Essig. Once the race began, Feherty and Peter Wrenn took command, with Jagger Rocks and Sam Widger waiting in the pocket. Jagger Rocks wanted his turn on the front and pressed on to the lead through the opening quarter in 26 4/5 to get ahead of Feherty. Feherty would then re-move to the top passing the half, which went on the board in 54 4/5.

Once the field hit the three-quarters in 1:22, Shamwow and LeWayne Miller were on the attack first-over and ranged up in third. In a hard-charging final quarter in 27 seconds, Shamwow powered home a winner in front of Jagger Rocks, while Pure Rock, with Trace Tetrick, utilized a ground-saving trip to get up for third. Shamwow hit the wire in 1:49 4/5, establishing a new lifetime best, and paid $3.60 to win for his betting backers.

Unraced as a 2-year-old, the son of Always A Virgin-Bolero Takara is owned by Cornerstone Stock Farm and now holds a lifetime bankroll of $37,000. Shamwow recorded his third lifetime victory from four trips behind the gate.