Upsets in Foyt and Henderson stakes at Indiana Grand
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The $106,300 Florence Henderson Stakes was the sister race, restricted to Indiana-bred older fillies and mares, to the $107,200 A.J. Foyt Stakes on Tuesday at Indiana Grand, but the respective winners of these two heats were more like father and daughter.
Eight-year-old Huntstown upset the A.J. Foyt at just under 11-1 a half-hour after 3-year-old filly Wondrshegotthundr took down odds-on Marina’s Legacy in the Florence Henderson.
Both races were contested at 1 1/16 miles over a “good” turf course. Wondrshegotthundr ($13.80) clocked 1:44.78 while Huntstown ($23.80) was timed in 1:45.66.
Wondrshegotthundr, trained by Brad Cox for breeder Bad Boy Racing, was making just the fourth start of her career after debuting June 11. In July, she won the Ellen’s Lucky Star over this same turf distance in a race restricted to Indiana-bred 3-year-old fillies, and on speed figures and accomplishment she looked no match for Marina’s Legacy, a two-time Florence Henderson winner.
Instead, it was Marina’s Legacy who was unable to contain Wondrshegotthundr, who stalked the pace under Fernando de la Cruz, came alongside Marina’s Legacy past the eighth pole, and wore down the heavy favorite to post a half-length victory. The top two were well clear of third-place Blonde Moment as Expect Indy, Moon Over Cabo, and Obsolete were scratched, leaving 11 runners.
Wondrshegotthundr is by Graydar out of It’snosmallwonder, by Stevie Wonderboy.
The Foyt began innocently enough but a chain reaction on the first turn seriously affected at least five horses. Huntstown, stalking the pace on the outside, avoided the trouble, commenced a steady bid at the three-eighths pole under Rodney Prescott, and held at bay a solid run from Rocky Rush, beating that foe into a one-length defeat. Mr. Gary D finished third as 3-1 favorite Wholelotachocolate, making his turf debut, essentially was eased out of the race though he eventually crossed the wire a distant last.
Huntstown, a gelding by Unbridled Energy out of Grand Seattle, by Chief Seattle, has been around the block. This is his seventh year of racing and Huntstown now has won 11 time from 56 starts. Four starts ago, in June, trainer Kim Hammond and owners Jane Woods and Willowbrook Stables claimed him for $12,500. That was money well spent.