Harrah's Hoosier Park: Tetrick doubles in Indiana Sires Stakes Super Finals for rookies

Rock Swan overcome post nine and an overland trip in collaring 1-5 favorite May Baby to capture the first of four $270,000 Indiana Sires Stakes Super Finals for freshmen at Harrah's Hoosier Park on Friday night. The Swan For All-sired filly, driven by Trace Tetrick, trotted the mile in 1:57 2/5 over the rain-soaked and sloppy surface.

Tetrick left and took a seat in fourth in the early stages right behind May Baby and driver James Yoder. After a first quarter in 27 1/5 posted by Pretzel Party, Yoder moved May Baby to control and hit the half in 58 seconds flat. Rock Swan was first to pull and got right alongside the favorite as the two raced as a team through three-quarters in 1:27 4/5, but once in the homestretch the 7-2 Rock Swan overtook the favorite. By midstretch it looked as if May Baby would fight back, but Rock Swan dug in and held sway in the final stages. RJZ First Lady was up for third.

Erv Miller trains Rock Swan for owners S & R Racing Stables and Anthony Lombardi. Rock Swan won for the eighth time in 10 lifetime starts and paid $9.80 as the second choice.

"She was waiting for someone in midstretch," said Tetrick, "But she came back on late."

Priceless was sensational in capturing the $270,000 final for juvenile pacing fillies in an eye-catching 1:52 2/5 clocking for driver-trainer Brandon Bates. The daughter of Rockin Image blasted to the front at the outset as the 4-5 favorite, allowing second choice Foxy Rigger to take the pocket. From that point it was and remained a two-filly race through fractions of 56 4/5 and 1:26 1/5, but once into the homestretch Bates called on his filly, and the response was instant and explosive.

Priceless scored for the sixth time in nine starts for owners Kevin Miller and Bert Hochsprung, pacing a final quarter in 26 1/5 while defeating Foxy Rigger and Grace Rocks. Priceless paid $3.80 as the public choice.

"I was supremely confident tonight that she was going to go right down the road," said Bates following the race.

Already a Grand Circuit winner, Priceless goes next in the Breeders Crown at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Tetrick won for the sixth time in the first nine races on Friday when TJ's Top Pick rolled down the road in the $270,000 final for freshman trotting colts and geldings. Taking command from early leader Emma Town Bud into the first turn, TJ's Top Pick cut fractions of 28, 57 4/5, and 1:27 3/5, then opened up on his rivals with speed to spare, scoring in 1:55 2/5 as the 2-5 betting favorite. Swan In Motion rallied late for second, with Dude Included coming inside for third as challenger Brigotto made a miscue late and faded to fourth.

TJ's Top Pick won for the eighth time in nine starts this year for trainer Jeff Cullipher, who shares ownership with driver Tetrick as well as Pollack Racing LLC. The Swan For All-sired gelding returned $3.80.

"I was confident the whole way," said Tetrick about the trip following the victory. "He's a gifted horse."

Odds On Osiris was sent off as the odds-on 3-5 favorite and made good for driver Peter Wrenn in the $270,000 Super Final for juvenile pacing colts and geldings. It was an overland trip, but the altered son of Rockin Image had no problem roughing it without cover and scoring in a 1:53 clocking.

Sawyer's Desire made a regaining move early for driver Yannick Gingras but gave up the lead past the 28 1/5 quarter when Clever Character and Dale Hiteman challenged. Clever Character carved out a half in 57 2/5 unchallenged, then had to deal with the first-over Odds On Osiris and Wrenn, who applied pressure while followed second-over by Always And Again. Into the stretch Odds On Osiris sprinted off in 26 3/5, leaving his rivals behind. Always And Again closed in late to nail the place spot over Clever Character, who fought on gamely after being passed.

Owned by Dana Parham's Odds On Racing, Odds On Osiris won for the sixth time in nine starts this year.

"He got a little green on me on the lead," said Wrenn of his decision to race from off-the-pace. "He felt good tonight."

Odds On Osiris paid $3.40 to win.