Harrah's Hoosier Park: Trio of repeaters in Thanksgiving Classics

Brickhouse Babe, Ponda Adventure, and Ponda Warrior all backed up their victories from the Star Destroyer last week at Harrah's Hoosier Park by winning their respective Thanksgiving Classic tests for 3-year-olds on Friday night.

Racing in the $55,000 filly trot, Brickhouse Babe (John De Long) landed sixth from post nine, followed Luv Lorelei (Robert Taylor) into contention from second-over, and used a 27 1/5 last quarter to power to a two length victory in 1:53 2/5. Alana Hill (Lewayne Miller) rallied for second, and Gabbys C Note (Sam Widger) came in third.

Ryan Miller trains Brickhouse Babe, a daughter of Walner, for owner/breeder Ray Schnitter. Brickhouse Babe, who paid $4.00 to win as the even-money favorite, has six lifetime wins and has now pocketed $346,162.

In the $56,000 colt and gelding trot, Ponda Adventure (Trace Tetrick) went first-up from fourth coming to the 56 1/5 half, cleared to the point before the 1:25 2/5 three-quarters, and staved off Swan Flyer (De Long) to prevail by a length and a quarter in 1:53 3/5. Caviar Gold (Brandon Bates) collected third.

Ponda Adventure, a gelding by Swan For All, is trained by Erv Miller for owners Engel Stable Of IL LLC., Louis Willinger, and Jerry Graham. Ponda Adventure has compiled a record of 22-5-0 from 28 tries, pushed his bankroll to $685,037, and returned $2.60 to win as the 1-5 favorite.

The $62,000 colt and gelding pace saw Ponda Warrior (De Long) drive on two-wide to the top after the 26 1/5 opening quarter, then yield grudgingly to Tauarsi (Devon Tharps) heading to the 54 1/5 half. Rip Wheeler (Tetrick) then had a turn on the lead as he brushed out of fourth and took the baton en route to the 1:22 three-quarters. Rip Wheeler drifted out in the lane, though, and Ponda Warrior pounced, surging by to his inside to take charge again inside the final eighth and win by two lengths in 1:49 3/5. Rip Wheeler held second ahead of a flying Yourwishisgranted (Kyle Wilfong).

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Trainer Jay Hochstetler also co-owns Ponda Warrior, a Rockin Image colt bred by Pond-A-Acres, with partners Finkelberg Racing LLC. and South Of The Tracks Rac Inc. Ponda Warrior made his ninth trip to the winner's circle, has put away $475,990, and paid $3.00 to win as the 1-2 choice.

The only surprise came in the $53,000 filly pace as 11-1 shot Best Place To Be (Bates) led to the 26 4/5 quarter, yielded to sit behind Patsville (De Long) through a 55 second half and a 1:23 2/5 three-quarters, then out-footed the leader in the final eighth to tally by half a length in 1:51 3/5. Patsville had to settle for second, and Captains Princess (Tharps) grabbed third.

An Always A Virgin filly, Best Place To Be is trained by Mike Roth for owners/breeders William Rufenacht and DM Stables LLC. Best Place To Be won for the eighth time in her life, has now earned $194,890, and returned $25.40 to win.