'Linebacker' seeks 2 in row

Middle Linebacker heads a field of 10 Indiana-bred 3-year-olds in the $50,000 Governor's Stakes going one mile on the turf Tuesday at Indiana Downs.

Middle Linebacker comes into the Governor's off a solid one-length win over second-level allowance company here May 26 for trainer Stephen Dunn. A son of Doneraile Court owned and bred by Swifty Farms, Middle Linebacker won the Indiana Futurity at Hoosier Park in November. Gabriel Lagunes will be aboard from post 9.

A host of challengers will take up the task of trying turf for the first time in their young careers. Sea of Steven, third to Middle Linebacker in his last start, should be one of many to challenge the lead in this race. Trained by Wayne Mogge, he has had a steady diet of races at a mile or longer and will be trying turf for the first time here with Rodney Prescott aboard.

Chow Wagon, trained by Michael Lauer, could prove a value play in this spot, coming a third in his first two-turn attempt. A steady closer, Chow Wagon made a bid into the stretch of that one-mile dirt allowance test here May 12 to get within 2 1/2 lengths of the lead. He did not sustain the move and lost ground through the final furlong, but a similar move could put him in the driver's seat when the field turns for home. Orlando Mojica will be aboard.