Sires stakes action plentiful at Indiana Downs

Freshman colt pacers took center stage Friday, August 14 at Indiana Downs. The Shelbyville track played host to Indiana Sires Stakes competition, with four $25,000 divisions going to the post. Electric Yankee colt Harvard’s Z Tam posted the fastest time en route to winning his division in 1:55.2.

 

When the gate folded in the ninth race, driver Peter Wrenn sent Harvard’s Z Tam to the front from post six. The favorite grabbed the lead shortly after a :28 opening panel and clicked off steady fractions of :29.2 and :29 before pacing home in :29 for trainer Wilbur Eash. The colt won by two and one-quarter lengths as Blue Creek Abner finished second, followed by Gusto Gus.

 

Out of Abercrombie mare Slick Fit, Harvard’s Z Tam collected his second seasonal win, coming in his seventh start. Owned by Z Tam Racing of New York, the freshman has earned just over $28,000.

 

Earlier in the program, Sam Widger steered favorite Roll On Home to a wire-to-wire victory in ISS action, stopping the clock in 1:57. Cuuul Bluegrass (Wrenn) and Topville Diamond (Brad Hanners) completed the trifecta. The Dream Work gelding hit the wire three and one-quarter lengths in front.

 

Bred and owned by Dojea Stables, Roll On Home earned his first pari-mutuel victory Friday night. Previously, the Terry McCorkle-trained two-year-old had twice won on the Indiana fair circuit. Widger was making his second start with the gelding.

 

Marky Mike and Jeff Cullipher claimed the $25,000 third division by a length over I-Is-PHD Bluegrass and Mark O’Mara in a time of 1:56.3. The gelded son of Mark Johnathan was sent off as the race favorite for trainer Dan Bowermaster. VM Stimulis and Widger paced third.

 

Ombre Art, second choice for owner and trainer Ewell Binkley, captured the third division with a 1:55.3 performance. Driven for the first time by O’Mara, the Royal Art colt earned his third consecutive win, the second in ISS competition. Dublo Six and Dan Shetler finished a half-length back in second while favorite C Dee’s Thunder and Ricky Macomber were third.

 

One $30,000 Indiana Sires Stakes division for sophomore trotting colts was also offered Friday night. Second choice ABCDE benefited from an early break by favorite Who’s Unreal to score a 2:00.1 victory. The ABC Garland gelding was driven by Shelter for owner and trainer Don Swartzentruber. Charlie Rum (O’Mara) turned in a second-place effort and Bar One trotted third.