Hoosier: Strong season continues for Helpisontheway

New York Sire Stakes champion 3-year-old male trotter Helpisontheway higlighted the winners in Grand Circuit stakes action on Friday night at Hoosier Park.

Racing in the second of two $48,500 divisions of the Circle City for the group, Helpisontheway (Tim Tetrick) moved from second to first going to the 57 3/5 half. He would then back down three-quarters to 1:27 3/5, and although Voss Volo (Corey Callahan) took a strong run at him from first-up through the lane, Helpisontheway dug in and fought him off, winning by half a length in 1:55 3/5. Max (Robert Taylor) bounced back from an early break to get third.

It was the tenth career win for Helpisontheway, a Chapter Seven colt trained by Linda Toscano for owners Camelot Stable Inc., The Bays Stable LLC., and Little E LLC., and he has now earned over $500,000 this year. He returned $2.60 to win as the 1-5 favorite.

Callahan did win the other split for the 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings with Scirocco Rob in 1:55 2/5. Scirocco Rob overhauled leader In My Dreams (Brady Galliers) off the last turn, then held sway to the wire, defeating Got The Groove (John De Long) by a length. Dynamic Man (Sam Widger) got third.

John Butenschoen trains Scirocco Rob, an Explosive Matter gelding, for owners Lewis and Kathleen Whitaker. Scirocco Rob now has eight career wins, and he has banked $282,658 lifetime. He was the even-money choice and paid $4.00 to win.

As for the other Grand Circuit stakes events on the card:

Madison County (two-year-old pacing colts and geldings)

The biggest purse event of the night was the lone $66,400 Madison County section for 2-year-old pacing males. In that event, Magic Joe Lindy (Trace Tetrick) sat inside in the three-hole, angled out in the lane, and came on to win by two lengths in 1:53 3/5. Volley Ball Beach (Jim Pantaleano) charged from last to second in the final quarter, and Ima Real Ladys Man (Mike Oosting) got third.

Magic Joe Lindy is an American Ideal colt trained by Domenico Cecere for owner/breeder Lindy Farms. He is now a three-time winner, and he has put away $83,290. He returned $4.60 to win as the 6-5 choice.

Circle City (three-year-old male pacers)

Rockinbeach (Ricky Macomber Jr.) and Wheels On Fire (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) were the winners of these two $42,650 dashes. Rockinbeach sat a second-over trip, took the lead in the lane, and held off a charging Shadow Cat (Callahan) late, winning by a neck in 1:52.

This was the eight career win for Rockinbeach, a gelded son of Rockin Image trained by Jamie Macomber and owned by breeder Wilbur Eash. Rockinbeach, who has put away $235,775 was the 7-2 third choice and paid $9.40 to win.

Wheels On Fire led a Ron Burke-trained exacta in the other split, leading through stations of 25 4/5, 55 3/5, and 1:23 2/5 on his way to a 3 1/2 length score over stablemate GD Western Joe (Chris Page).

The victorious Somebeachsomewhere gelding competes for owner/breeder W.J. Donovan and is now an 11-time winner and earner of $136,348. He returned $3.60 to win as the 4-5 favorite.

Circle City (three-year-old filly pacers)

Burke also had a win in the first $37,250 test forst this group with 8-1 shot Jewels Forreal (Page). She took the lead from first-up in the lane, then held off a passing-lane attacking Aldine Hanover (John De Long) for the victory by a nose in 1:53. Mcvenus (Trace Tetrick) got third.

A So Surreal filly, Jewels Forreal is trained by Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC. and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. She posted her sixth lifetime triumph, has earnings of $154,563 and she paid $19.20 to win.

There was also a 6-1 upset in the other section with Voom Or Bang (De Long) taking control from first-over in the lane and winning by half a length in 1:53 3/5. Cult Icon (Wrenn Jr.) was second-best, with Smiley Dragon (Trace Tetrick) third.

Roger Welch trains Voom Or Bang, an Always A Virgin filly, for owners William C. De Long, William P. De Long, Jesse De Long, and John De Long. She made her ninth appearance in the winner's circle, and she has now pocketed $374,962. She returned $14.80 to win.

Circle City (three-year-old trotting fillies)

Live Laugh Love (Peter Wrenn) was impressive in victory, taking the third and final $28,600 grouping from second-over in 1:54 4/5. She beat Kenziesky Hanover (Jim Pantaleano) by 5 1/2 lengths, with Trotting Grace (Trace Tetrick) third.

A filly by Donato Hanover, Live Laugh Love is trained by Nifty Norman for co-owners/breeders Mel Hartman and Diamond Creek Farm and their ownership partner David McDuffee. Live Laugh Love is now an eight-time winner, and she has a bankroll of $274,868. Live Laugh Love was the 4-1 third choice and paid $10.20 to win.

The other winners for 3-year-old filly trotters were Pat Matters (Macomber Jr.) in 1:53 3/5 and Red Rose Swan (Lewayne Miller) in 1:55 4/5.

Paul Kelley trains Pat Matters, a daughter of Explosive Matter, for owner/breeder Patricia Stable. Unraced as a 2-year-old, she has four wins this year and has banked $153,585. She was the 9-2 second choice and returned $11.40 to win.

Lewayne Miller also trains and co-owns Rose Run Swan, a Swan For All filly, with partners Last Chance Racing Stable and C11 Racing. She is now a six-time winner, has stashed away $170,115, and paid $8.60 to win as a 3-1 offering.