Harrah's Hoosier Park: Swan Affect swiftest in Indiana Sire Stakes

A trio of $46,500 divisions of round five of Indiana Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting colts and gelding highlighted the 14-race card, where big prices Bluebird Atomic and Yearoffear sandwiched a heavy favorite in Swan Affect on Wednesday (Sept. 3) at Harrah's Hoosier Park.

Bluebird Atomic and driver Kevin Lambright kicked off the stakes action, staging a late rally at 7-1 to notch his second career victory. Bluebird Atomic got away in fourth in the field of nine as August Salazar (John De Long) protected his rail starting position to get away on top through a quarter of 28 4/5. August Salazar had things his way on the engine through middle-half fractions of 58 1/5 and 1:27 1/5 before bringing the field to the top of the stretch. Lambright fed Bluebird Atomic racetrack in the lane, while still spotting August Salazar three lengths with an eighth of a mile to go. Bluebird Atomic motored home in 28 4/5 to gobble up ground late and rally past August Salazar by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:57. Great Commission (Aaron Stutzman) navigated a host of breakers in the lane to be third at 82-1.

Trained by Robert Taylor, who continues to close in on his 1,000th victory, Bluebird Atomic as won two of six on the season. The gelded son of Swan For All-Highland Hills was bred by Daryl Miller and has banked $38,090 on the season for owners Taylor Racing and Kyle and Jill Hupfer. Bluebird Atomic returned $16.60 to win.

Swan Affect was a repeat winner in Indiana Sire Stakes in the second division, holding up his end of the bargain as the 4-5 favorite with regular pilot LeWayne Miller. Leaving from the rail, Swan Affect trotted in fourth on the first turn while Mr Halbert (Trace Tetrick) cut the opening clip in 28 2/5. Swan Affect followed the cover of Swan Bi Bi (Jordan Ross), who moved first-up to challenge Mr Halbert at the half in 57 4/5. Swan Bi Bi had to be gathered up moving into the far turn when attempting to clear, keeping him parked and pressing to the outside of Mr Halbert through three-quarters in 1:27 3/5 with Swan Affect poised to tip three-deep. Swan Affect swept by the dueling leaders in the lane, trotting home in 28 seconds to coast home an easy 1 1/2 length winner in 1:56 1/5. I'too Volo (Marcus Miller) split rivals late to be second at 19-1, with Mr Halbert holding for the show position.

Five times a winner this year and having been no worse than second in seven career tries, Swan Affect is trained by Walter Haynes Jr. for owners John McGill and Matthew Miller. McGill also bred the gelded son of Swan For All-Flower Hour, who has banked $111,684 this season with Lavon Miller. Swan Affect paid $3.60 to win.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

The third and final division went to yet another repeat stakes winner in Yearoffear, who extended his win streak to five in a 10-1 upset with trainer Doug Rideout in the bike. Leaving from post four, Yearoffear found himself sandwiched in a three-across battle for the lead on the first turn when heavy 1-2 favorite San Patricio (Trace Tetrick) jumped it off to his outside at the quarter in 28 3/5. Yearoffear cleared Swan In All (Jordan Ross) on the backstretch, leading the field to the half in 58 seconds before trotting 2 1/2 lengths clear at three-quarters in 1:27 4/5. Yearoffear raced gamely on the lead in the stretch, holding a host of longshot challengers at by to win by 1 1/2 lengths in a 1:56 3/5 victory. Inverness Ave (Jay Cross) rallied for second at 61-1, with Swan In All holding for third at 41-1.

The Indiana Sired Fair Circuit champion has won nine of 14 of the season, earning $71,778 for owners Julie Rideout, Alan White and Gracie Rosson. The gelded son of Don't Let'em-Isabella Carina was bred by Harvey Fry, and paid $23.80 to win at the betting windows.

Racing will resume at Harrah's Hoosier Park on Thursday, Sept. 4 with a 14-race card set to get underway at 5:30 p.m. (EDT). The Thursday program features a pair of $10,000 guaranteed pools in the late Pick 4 (races 11-14) and late High 5 (race 14) done in partnership with the USTA's Strategic Wagering Program.

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