Big Bad Brenda and Brandon Bates brought home the biggest part of the purse in the $9,500 consolation of the Josh Whitelow Memorial Consolation Saturday, April 23 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The duo grinded their way to the win in 1:54.3.
Big Bad Brenda and Brandon Bates pause for a photo following their win in the Josh Whitelow Memorial Consolation at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Saturday, April 23.
Starting from post six, Bates had Big Bad Brenda out and rolling when the gate folded and was on top of the field by the time they passed the finish line for the first time. They set the first fraction of :28.2 before JB’s Shooting Star and Trace Tetrick moved out and around to take over for the half in :57.1. The second tier of challengers began to form around the final turn with Wingding Hanover and John DeLong leading the way.
At the head of the lane, it looked as if Big Bad Brenda would not find the room she needed to advance, but as the stretch drive continued, she was able to move inside in the passing lane and Bates when to work with a hand drive for her to move up in the last stride for the win by a head over JB’s Shooting Star. Spoxys Girl and Sam Widger finished third.
Big Bad Brenda paid $13.60 for the win. The six-year-old Tellitlikeitis mare is trained by Jon Anderson and owned by Mary and John Krasnican Jr. They also bred the mare, who took her win photo on the track as Bates slowed down for a quick snap of the photo.
Big Bad Brenda picked up her second win of the season in 14 starts. Her career best time of 1:52.2 was taken last year at five at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. She now has more than $88,000 in career earnings.
Earlier in the night, Whata Swan and Trace Tetrick turned in a dominant performance to win the $22,000 Open Trot in 1:52.2. The duo went straight to the lead and never looked back, opening up to a seven-length advantage at the wire. Luis Quevedo trains the six-year-old Swan for All horse for John Barnard. Cassius Lane and Michael Oosting finished second over Katie’s Lucky Day and Trevor Smith for third.
Also a winner on the card was It’s a Herbie in the $16,000 Open 3 Trot. It’s a Herbie and Verlin Yoder made a big move in the second half of the race and pulled away from the field for a five and three-quarter length win in 1:54.1. I Know My Chip and Tyler Smith finished second over Double A Goldrush and Casey Leonard for third.
It’s a Herbie is also trained and owned by Yoder. The six-year-old gelded son of Here Comes Herbie was making his first start of 2022. He is now 18 for 53 lifetime with earnings over the $500,000 mark. His career best was taken as a five-year-old last year at Miami Valley Raceway in 1:52.4.