Grand Circuit at Indy

The Grand Circuit rolled into Indiana Downs Friday, Aug. 18 with three divisions of freshman trotting fillies vying for top honors in the Kentuckiana Stallion Management Stakes. Three splits were offered with each carrying a purse of $87,883.

In the first division Harbour Belle successfully kicked off her career with a 1:58.4 effort for driver John Campbell, upsetting favorite Celebrity Lady in the process. The Chuck Sylvester trained Lindy Lane filly made her debut at Indiana Downs after three solid qualifying efforts at the Meadowlands for owner Ronald Hughes.

“We’re very happy with her,” said Campbell. “She was pretty willing.”

Dave Palone piloted Celebrity Farms’ Conway Hall filly to a runner-up finish while 13-1 Miss Volo (Yankee Glide) and owner Jan Johnson were third.

After a disappointing 10th place finish in the Merrie Annabelle, trainer Ron Gurfein made equipment changes on Possess The Magic. The Self Possessed filly responded, rewarding the conditioner and owner Brittany Farms with a 1:57 victory in the second split. With regular driver Mike LaChance in the bike Possess The Magic took control shortly after the first panel (:30) and never looked back. Batbreaker (Muscles Yankee) and Campbell were second and Adelaide Hall (Conway Hall) rounded out the trifecta.

“She had a blind bridle, but she would shy away from things and get too hot,” LaChance explained. “Ron changed to a blind bridle and added an ear hood. She’s two fingers now.”

Possess The Magic has won five of seven starts while accumulating close to $180,000 in seasonal earnings.

In the final split Apecs and Andy Miller won by open lengths in 1:57. Miss Color Chip (Chip Chip Hooray) was second for driver Jay Cross and Trattoria (Yankee Glide) finished third for trainer Dan Shetler. Apecs collected her second win in three starts for owner Vandalay Racing and trainer Erv Miller.

“She felt strong all the way through. I never really asked her at all,” Andy Miller noted. “She did it pretty much on her own.”

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