Harrah's Hoosier Park: Swiss Lights downs Odds On Mr Mamba in Indiana Sire Stakes

Swiss Lights, driven by Trace Tetrick for trainer Jeff Cullipher, spoiled the "Hoosier Homecoming" of North America Cup champion Odds On Mr Mamba, as the Rockin Image gelding pulled off the upset in the $95,000 Indiana Sire Stakes event for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers on a wet Friday (June 26) night at Harrah's Hoosier Park.

Slotted into post six, Swiss Lights jumped out of the gate the quickest compared to the rest of the field. Grabbing the rail to take an early lead, Swiss Lights fronted the eight-horse field to the first quarter in 26 1/5 with Dancingdreamer (Marcus Miller) following closely. Swiss Lights stayed strong to the halfway point in 54 3/5 with Dancingdreamer, What Nooo Waay (John De Long), King Tellit (Jay Cross) and the post time favorite Odds On Mr Mamba (Peter Wrenn) giving chase. Nearing the turn, Odds On Mr Mamba transitioned to the outside to eventually be first-over on Swiss Lights. Building momentum through the sloppy track, Swiss Lights led the field through the three-quarters in 1:22 2/5.

Swiss Lights refused to open the door to his pursuers, picking up steam down the homestretch in 26 2/5 to fend off a late charge from Dancingdreamer and Odds On Mr Mamba. Traveling as quick as light, Swiss Lights crossed the wire in 1:48 4/5 for a new lifetime mark, 2 3/4 lengths clear. Dancingdreamer got up for second, while Odds On Mr Mamba had to settle for third.

The Rockin Image gelding is owned by Pollack Racing LLC. and Jeff Cullipher while being bred by Merlie Schwartz. Swiss Lights added his third win of the season, boosting his lifetime earnings to $207,846. Swiss Lights paid $11.20 to win.

Atlee Bender also had a night worth celebrating, tacking on a win on the card with Go Pikachu Go after he scored his 1,000th career driving victory this morning at the Lebanon Fairgrounds in Kentucky aboard Aww Suki Suki Na for trainer Joey Ayotte.

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Bender has been one of the top drivers at Harrah's Hoosier Park the last few years and had a career year in 2025, accumulating $3,665,115 in earnings with 235 wins across the Midwest. Back in 2022, Bender totaled 1,000 career starts in a season for the first time in his career, kick-starting consistency in the years to follow despite an injury in 2024 that knocked him out of half of that season.

Bender's first career win came on July 30th, 2016, at Vernon Downs, taking Jet Airways, for trainer Erv Miller, to the winner's circle. Likewise, Bender's first win at Harrah's Hoosier Park came in 2020 with Adjacent for Miller. Building his career with Miller, Bender became a regular for the Miller barn and is still driving his horses today with his most recent win for him with Dan D Man Can in the third leg of the Indiana Sire Stakes for 3-year-old male trotters Thursday (June 25) at Harrah's Hoosier Park. Additionally, Bender shares his talents by driving at Oak Grove where he has become a staple at the Kentucky track.

This season, Bender has 71 of his 120 wins in 2026 at Harrah's Hoosier Park, putting him in the top six for driver wins. Bender has already hit the million-dollar mark on the year, putting him in a strong position to achieve another career year in the business.

Live racing resumes at Harrah's Hoosier Park on Saturday, June 27, with a 14-race card headlined by the $94,500 third leg of Indiana Sire Stakes for sophomore pacing fillies. The rivalry will once again be renewed between Whoomp and Somemore Blue in the evening's 10th race. First post on Saturday is 5:30 p.m. (EDT).

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