Hoosier Park: Favorites defeated in Indiana Sires Stakes eliminations

With division dominator Swandre The Giant sold and off to Canada, 2-year-old trotting males raced in two Indiana Sires Stakes eliminations on Saturday night at a rainy and windy Hoosier Park, and the public choices went down to defeat in both splits.

The first $24,000 grouping saw 54-1 shot Airtime Lin (Luke Plano) in the lead at the 29 3/5 opening quarter, but he would give way to 1-9 favorite It's A Herbie (Verlin Yoder), who would then be overtaken by Lite Years Away (Lewayne Miller) heading to the 1:00 3/5 half. Lite Years Away couldn't stay on-stride, though, leaving It's A Herbie back in front at the 1:31 2/5 three-quarters and Airtime Lin in the two-hole. Through much of the lane It's A Herbie held the top spot, but Airtime Lin surged by late, winning by a quarter of a length in 1:59. Airman Kelly (Sam Widger) finished third.

Trainer Scott Galloway also co-owns Airtime Lin, a gelded son of Airzoom Lindy, with Tracy Galloway. Airtime Lin broke his maiden in his second chance, and he has now earned $15,750. He returned $111.40 to win.

Yoder got a measure of revenge in the second $20,000 elimination when he catch-drove Mocedes Boy to a 1:58 3/5 win. He was pocketed through stations of 28 1/5, 59, and 1:29 3/5, took the lead in the lane, and held sway to the wire, winning by a quarter of a length in 1:58 3/5. Foxy Trottin Stick (Brandon Bates) surged from eighth to second in the final quarter, with Trump This (Widger) third despite going off-stride past the opening quarter.

Erv Miller trains Mocedes Boy, a colt by Swan For Fall, for owners The Kales Company LLC. and S&R Racing Stables. Mocedes Boy picked up his first career win and he has now put away $25,311. He was a 12-1 shot and paid $26.40 to win.