Harrah's Hoosier: Rookie pacers showcased in Indiana Sires Stakes

Ponda Warrior and Alloutblitz improved to three-for-three in their respective careers with victories in Indiana Sires Stakes contests for 2-year-old pacers on Sunday night at Harrah's Hoosier Park.

Driven by Brandon Bates in the first $70,000 division for colts and geldings, Ponda Warrior went to the lead in a 27 4/5 opening quarter, released The Longest Yard (Mike Oosting) going to the 57 1/5 half, then re-moved to the point past that marker. From there, Ponda Warrior hit three-quarters in 1:25 3/5, then sprinted home in 26 3/5 on his way to winning by four lengths in 1:52 1/5. The Longest Yard was the runner-up, and Gentle Giant (Trace Tetrick) came in third.

Owned in partnership by trainer Jay Hochstetler, Finkelberg Racing LLC., and South Of The Tracks Rac Inc., Ponda Warrior is a Rockin Image-Sweetnsinful colt. Bred by Pond-A-Acres and purchased for $37,000 at the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale, Ponda Warrior has stashed away $63,000, and he returned $3.20 to win as the 3-5 choice.

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Alloutblitz (Sam Widger) competed in the second $68,500 flight for the fillies. Positioned third at the 27 2/5 opening quarter, she would brush to the front before the 56 3/5 half, and then go on to hit three-quarters in 1:26 2/5. Through the stretch Alloutblitz was under an all-out blitz from pocket-sitter Always Gonna B You (John De Long) on her inside and a first-over Jj Endofanera (Trace Tetrick) on her outside, but she held on determinedly to win by a head over Always Gonna B You. Jj Endofanera checked in third.

A daughter of JK Endofanera-Best Boss, Alloutblitz is trained by Jeff Cullipher, who also co-owns her in partnership with Pollack Racing LLC. Alloutblitz, who was bred by Duane Miller and fetched $80,000 at the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale, has pocketed $62,750, and she paid $4.40 to win as the favorite.

Fulfullnmydestiny (James Yoder) bagged the other $69,500 section for colts and geldings in 1:51 1/5. He put the 26 4/5 quarter on the board, then gave way to sit in the two-hole behind JK Victory (Tim Tetrick) on the way to the 56 2/5 half. JK Victory continued to keep command to the 1:24 4/5 three-quarters and into the lane, but Yoder brought his charge to the outside, and he used a 26 1/5 final kicker to prevail by 2 1/4 lengths. JK Victory had to settle for second as the 3-5 favorite, and Bowie Rocks (Ricky Macomber Jr.) was third.

Yoder also trains Fulfullnmydestiny, a gelded son of Tellitlikeitis-Driven By Destiny, for owner-breeder Brett Boyd Racing Inc. Fulfullnmydestiny broke his maiden in his fourth chance, pushed his earnings to $50,190, and returned $14.40 to win as a 6-1 shot.

Trick Of The Light (Oosting) was an impressive 1:51 2/5 victor in the first of the two tests for the fillies. She rocketed to the lead in an opening quarter of 26 seconds in the $73,140 dash but was shuffled back to third passing the 54 2/5 half. Oosting then sent his horse on the attack first-over, she took command on the rim before the 1:24 1/5 three-quarters, then drew off through the stretch to tally by 2 1/4 lengths over Hedda Hooper (Trace Tetrick). Marvelous Marshia (De Long) was the third-place finisher.

Brian Brown handles the training of Trick Of The Light, a daughter of Odds On Equuleus-Gordjus bred by Adam Eicher, for owners Country Club Acres Inc., Joe Sbrocco, and Kirk Nichols. The $50,000 Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale acquisition now has a record of 1-1-0 from two appearances, and she has banked $48,195. She paid $7.40 to win as the 5-2 second choice.