Hoosier Park: Swandre The Giant, Smooth Aceleration tally in Indiana Sires Stakes elims

Swan For All colts Swandre The Giant and Smooth Aceleration toted home top honors from the pair of $20,000 Indiana Sires Stakes eliminations for 2-year-old trotting colts that took place on Saturday night at Hoosier Park.

Fresh off a maiden-breaking 1:57 2/5 win on June 30, Swandre The Giant body-slammed his competition again on this night for trainer/driver Brandon Bates. He worked out a second-over trip through fractions of 28 2/5, 59 1/5, and 1:29 3/5 from the trailing post ten, then pounced in the lane, rolling by to win by a length and three-quarters in 1:57 4/5. Swan Before All (Todd Warren) was the runner-up, with Martini Show (Christian Lind) third.

Panic Stable LLC., Terry Ehardt, Brian Hochman, and Richard Barone own Swandre The Giant, a $17,000 Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale buy. Bred by DM Stables LLC., he is out of the Valley Victor mare Adagio (1:57, $216,330). Swandre The Giant was the 2-5 favorite and paid $2.80 to win.

Smooth Aceleration (John De Long), who was second to Swandre The Giant in that maiden race, drew away from him this week and took advantage, scoring in 1:57 2/5. Smooth Aceleration advanced into the lead passing the 59 second half, then went on to hit three-quarters in 1:28 4/5. Lite Years Away (Lewayne Miller) gained late in the stretch from the pocket, but Smooth Aceleration held sway, winning by a quarter of a length. It's A Herbie (Verlin Yoder) was third.

Jenny Melander trains the winner for owners Melander Racing Inc., Clark Stables LLC., Myfab Inc., and Gabriella`s LLC. He was bred by Victory Hill Farm Inc., fetched $20,000 at the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale, and is out of the Cantab Hall mare Hernameissylvia (2:01 4/5, $24,910). Dispatched as the 3-5 favorite, Smooth Aceleration returned $3.20 to win.