Harrah's Hoosier: Southwind Gendry gets there in time in Elevation

Southwind Gendry, the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion, posted a hard-fought 1:50 4/5 decision in the $120,000 Elevation for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings as part of Friday night's Grand Circuit program at Harrah's Hoosier Park. That time knocked two-fifths of a second off his lifetime mark.

What's Your Beef (Trace Tetrick) cut the mile in the Elevation, blasting out from post three and putting up panels of 27 2/5, 55 3/5, and 1:23 2/5. Almanac (Dexter Dunn) drafted in behind him in the pocket, and Virgo (Tim Tetrick) bided his time in third. Southwind Gendry (David Miller) had gotten away in the fourth spot and was brought to the outside prior to three-quarters, but had about five lengths to make up on the leader at that point.

In the lane What's Your Beef managed to stay in front until inside the final eighth when he was overtaken in the passing lane by Vigor and a three-wide Southwind Gendry, who was making up ground with every stride. It looked like Vigor might pull the upset as he showed a narrow lead after he got by the pace-setter, but Southwind Gendry would not be denied, surging by prior to the wire to win by a quarter of a length. Virgo was a very good second, followed by What's Your Beef, Almanac, and Literl Lad Hanover (Matt Kakaley).

Ron Burke trains Southwind Gendry, a gelding from the first crop of Always B Miki, for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Phil Collura, Knox Services Inc., and J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby. Southwind Gendry, who was bred by Southwind Farms LLC. and went for $30,000 at last year's Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, has a record of 6-0-0 from eight tries, and he has now earned $299,369. Southwind Gendry is the sixth foal out of the Cam's Card Shark mare Gambler's Passion (1:50 4/5, $123,100), a three-quarter sister to the Roll With Joe gelding Geez Joe (1:47 4/5, $324,932). Sent off at 2-5, Southwind Gendry paid $2.80 to win.

Burke also won the Grand Circuit stakes event for 2-year-old male trotters on the card, the $40,000 Madison County, with Indiana-sired Brookview Bolt (Sam Widger) in 1:55. Brookview Bolt cleared Swingforthefences (Trace Tetrick) for control prior to the 27 4/5 opening quarter and backed down the tempo to 57 3/5 at the half and 1:27 1/5 at three-quarters. The sprint was on from there, and Brookview Bolt closed in 27 4/5 to win by 2 1/2 lengths over Swingforthefences and Bridge To Success (John De Long).

A gelding by Swan For All-Witty's Winner (Jailhouse Jesse), Brookview Bolt is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC., Knox Services Inc., J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby, and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Brookview Bolt has four wins, two seconds, and a third from eight appearances, and he has now banked $86,950. He returned $7.40 to win as a 5-2 shot.