Pearl Tiara, Hard Luck Justice romp in Hoosier Breeders Sophomore stakes
Pearl Tiara and Hard Luck Justice scored blowout victories in divisions of the Hoosier Breeders Sophomore Stakes on Wednesday at Indiana Grand.
Pearl Tiara won the $77,200 fillies division by 8 3/4 lengths, clocking a faster timer, 1:45.60, for 1 1/16 miles on a fast main track than Hard Luck Justice in the open division of the Hoosier Breeders Sophomore. Trained by Tim Glyshaw for a large partnership, Pearl Tiara, a homebred, is part of the first crop sired by Indiana stallion Majestic Harbor, and the filly excelled in just her second try over a route of ground.
Pearl Tiara had stumbled and lost her chance in her lone two-turn race of 2020, but on Wednesday got a perfect trip pressing the slow pace set by 61-1 shot Found My Man. Pearl Tiara took over the lead before the far turn and flicked away a bid from second choice Diamond Solitaire, who came with her run before the quarter pole but lost ground through the homestretch. Diamond Solitaire finished second by 11 lengths over third-place Very Amelia, who, surprisingly and to her apparent resentment, was held off the slow pace after breaking from post 1 and stretching out from a fast-paced sprint.
Pearl Tiara, ridden by Fernando de la Cruz, paid $13.80 winning for the third time in nine starts. She’s out of the Mineshaft mare, Pearl Pedant.
Hard Luck Justice ($20.80) needed 1:46.24 to complete his 1 1/16 miles yet still was home by 6 1/4 lengths over 61-1 shot Altered, who was a nose better than Lookin at Justice. With Samuel Bermudez riding for trainer Lonnie Hinds and owner Joselyn Vanesa Salazar, Hard Luck Justice chased pacesetting favorite Nobody Listens around the far turn and into the homestretch, collaring him at the eighth pole and drawing away for a clear win as Nobody Listens failed to stay two turns in his first route try.
Hinds raced Hard Luck Justice in blinkers for the first time as the gelding, by Harry’s Holiday out of Grace of Gold, by Cactus Ridge, won for the second time in six starts.