Harrah's Hoosier Park: Upsets in Wednesday's Indiana Sires Stakes races

It was a night ruled by upsets at Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday, August 31, as the post-time favorite faltered in ten of the evening's 14 races. Two divisions of Indiana Sires Stakes for the 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings were featured on the evening's card and both followed suit with surprise winners.

The first $68,000 section saw a 34-1 shot in the winner's circle as Matt Krueger steered Help Page to a 1:56 1/5 victory for trainer Roger Welch. The colt utilized a ground-saving trip to get up the passing lane and score over the heavily-favored Texsong Soprano and John DeLong by a head. It was a maiden-breaking triumph for Help Page, who returned a hefty $70.40 at the betting windows.

With the win, the gelded son of Helpisontheway-Many Happy Returns pushed his lifetime bankroll to $64,075. Help Page is owned by Harmony Oaks Racing Stable, J. Crawford IV, and R. Preziotti.

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In the second $67,500 test, Brookview Darius and driver Atlee Bender utilized similar ground-saving tactics to get up in the final strides of the mile and score in 1:57 1/5. Sent off at odds of 12-1, Brookview Darius found late racing room up the inside to track down Talent Scout and Trace Tetrick steps before the wire. After opting for a trip off-the- pace, the heavily-favored Jailhouse Dance and Mike Oosting rallied well late but were forced to settle for third. Slightly dismissed at the betting windows, Brookview Darius returned $26.80 to his backers.

Trained by Erv Miller, the gelded son of Swan For All-Witty's Winner recorded his third win from seven seasonal starts. The 1:57 1/5 final time equaled his career-best. Brookview Darius has now earned $65,188 in his young career and is owned in partnership by Kales Co., Engel Stable of IL, and L. Willinger.

Live racing and Indiana Sires Stakes action continue at Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday, September 1 with two groupings of stakes action for the 2-year-old pacing fillies highlighting the evening's 14-race card.

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