Harrah's Hoosier Park: Tellmeitmatters, Sabonis victorious again in Indiana Sires Stakes

Round five of Indiana Sires Stakes for the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers highlighted the 14-race card on Friday (July 19) at Harrah's Hoosier Park. Two divisions were featured on the evening, with Tellmeitmatters and Sabonis delivering as heavy favorites to keep their win streaks alive on the season.

Sent off as the 2-5 favorite in the $49,000 first flight, Tellmeitmatters teamed up with regular pilot John De Long from post four in the field of five. The action was hot early as Premier Romeo (driven by Kyle Wilfong) crossed over from the far outside to take command before Packedwithluck (Trace Tetrick) surged to the front at the quarter in 26 2/5. Tellmeitmatters settled in third on the first turn before Packedwithluck went unchallenged on the lead to the half in 55 seconds. Entering the far turn, De Long gave Tellmeitmatters his marching orders, quickly moving first-over into second while Packedwithluck led to three-quarters in 1:23.

Turning for home, Tellmeitmatters made quick work of Packedwithluck, powering away to a 2 1/2 length lead midway down the lane. Scooting home in 26 1/5, Tellmeitmatters charged home to a three length victory and stopped the timer in 1:49 2/5. Premier Romeo finished second, Bitofbitterbutter (Marvin Luna) rallied for third.

Trained by Roger Welch, Tellmeitmatters is now five-for-six on the year having banked $112,690 this season. The gelded son of Tellitlikeitis-Art Matters was bred by owners William C. and William P. De Long and has now earned $317,050 in his career.

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Sabonis scored his sixth straight victory on the season as the 1-9 favorite in the $49,500 second split with Joey Putnam in the bike. Sabonis secured the pocket from post two in the scratched down field of five, with Jay Cross sending M-M's Bud to the front in a quarter of 27 seconds. The quintet remained single-file to the half in 56 1/5 before Sabonis edged from the two-hole to reach the leader's wheel at three-quarters in 1:24 2/5.

Sabonis put his nose in front turning for home, but M-M's Bud was not going to go quietly, responding gamely under Cross urging. The duo battled for the length of the lane before Sabonis crossed the wire first, a half-length in front of the stubborn M-M's Bud, in 1:50 3/5. Stat That (LeWayne Miller) secured third to round out the trifecta.

The Aaron Stutzman trainee is now a winner in nine of 10 for his 3-year-old campaign with $143,500 in seasonal earnings for owner Pat Miller. Karl Dean Miller bred the colt by Tellitlikeitis and out of the Roll With Joe mare Gypsy Bellevue.

Racing concludes for the week at Harrah's Hoosier Park on Saturday, July 20 with a 12-race card set to get underway at 7:00 p.m.

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