Agent of Fortune and Ponda Title reigned supreme in the first round of Indiana Sires Stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies Tuesday, July 11 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Both fillies trotted their miles in 1:55.1.
Agent of Fortune and Robert Taylor pull away from the field in the first round of action for the Indiana Sires Stakes Tuesday, July 11 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Photo by Dean Gillette
Agent of Fortune and trainer-driver Robert Taylor didn’t attempt to get good early positioning in their division as Black Gold and James Yoder went out for the lead, posting the first quarter in :28.0. Agent of Fortune got away in sixth and followed the field to the half in :57.1 before making a move to the outside and following traffic toward the front.
By the time the field was at the top of the stretch, Agent of Fortune had taken over. The filly trotted home in :27.3 for the win by six and three-quarter lengths for Taylor, winning in 1:55.1. Ponda Grace and Trace Tetrick moved up for second over Black Gold for third.
Agent of Fortune paid $7.20 for the win. The Dover Dan freshman is owned by Taylor Racing LLC and Robert Paddock. Black Creek Farm bred the filly, who is now three for five in her career. The time was also a new career best. She was purchased for $12,000 from the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale last fall.
In the second division Ponda Title and Kyle Wilfong were strong from the start and never looked back, posting every fraction in the race and winning by three and three-quarter lengths in 1:55.1, a final quarter in :28.3. Truly Unbelievable and Kyle Husted moved up in the stretch for second over Swans Morning Song and Trace Tetrick, who stayed close to the top throughout for third.
Ponda Title, the favorite of the field, paid $4.00 for the win. The daughter of Muscle Massive is owned by Connie Hochstetler, Robert Buddig, and Allen Schwartz. Pond-A-Acres bred the filly, who is trained by Jay Hochstetler. She is now three for three in her brief career and the mile also established a new lifetime mark.
Ponda Title was one of 18 yearlings sold at auction last year by Muscle Massive. She was the second highest seller, bringing $32,000 at the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale. She is the first of three foals of racing age to take a mark in her family and she has a yearling filly sister named Ponda Help by Helpisontheway, that will be in the yearling sales this fall.
Two-year-old filly pacers are in action Wednesday, July 12 in Indiana Sires Stakes action at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The first division (race 11) features undefeated Rockinwithdave from the Charlie Conrad Stable as she enters the ISS a perfect four for four.
The second division features three fillies that move into the ISS with one win in one start. Forever Farah, Rockin Nelly, and McKira all will be seeking their second win to kick off the series.