Hoosier Park: McBride's pair stand out in City of Anderson

Two-year-olds take center stage Saturday afternoon at Hoosier Park with the running of the City of Anderson and the Hillsdale. Both events are at 5 1/2 furlongs and carry a purse of $84,000.

Trainer Barbara McBride looks to be holding a pair of aces with Yeardley and Slacker in the 12-horse City of Anderson. Both are coming off an impressive win in their career debut. Yeardley soundly defeated statebred fillies Aug. 17 by 6 1/2 lengths, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 66, some 15 points higher than any other entrant in the Anderson.

The following day, Aug. 18, Slacker defeated statebred fillies by eight lengths, earning a Beyer of 51.

Both of McBride’s horses won while on or pressing for the lead.

“Hopefully the jockeys will know enough not to go out and burn each other up,” McBride said. “Hopefully, they won’t be hustled too much.”

Fernando De La Cruz will retain the mount on Yeardley and Jamie Theriot will ride Slacker for the first time.

Should the McBride duo burn each other out, the horse to watch may be Heather’s Dream. Trained by Tim Hamm, Heather’s Dream has competed twice, both times at Presque Isle Downs against open maiden company, finishing fifth and then second in her last out on Tuesday.
Mack the Slew will try to repeat his maiden debut performance in the Hillsdale. Trained by Tom Proctor, Mack the Slew won by 2 1/2 lengths on Aug. 11 after overcoming trouble at the start.

Prince of Time has been well backed in his two starts and comes into this race off a six-furlong maiden win Sept. 1. He will be coupled with Artie’s Love in the field of 10.