Bluebird Bishop was in the right place at the right time. The sophomore trotting gelding has been consistently improving each start and faced a tough opponent in Dover in Motion in the second round of Indiana Sires Stakes action Wednesday, June 15.
Bluebird Bishop and Sam Widger moved up for the win in the Indiana Sires Stakes second leg for sophomore trotting colts and geldings Wednesday, June 15. Photo by Dean Gillette
Starting from post seven, Bluebird Bishop was paired with Sam Widger for the first time and the two rolled out quickly at the start, following Dover in Motion and Ricky Macomber on the outside past the quarter in :29.1. Once Dover in Motion had cleared to the front, Bluebird Bishop kept right on trotting, securing the top spot at the half in :56.3. Dover in Motion was flushed out around the final turn and came up to match Bluebird Bishop for a few strides before hitting another gear and getting more than a two-length lead. Close to the wire, the standout trotter took a bad step and made an uncharacteristic break and was placed back. Bluebird Bishop was close on the inside and was moved up for the win in 1:54.1. Adamsville Road was also moved up to finish second over Dover in Motion.
Bluebird Bishop remains perfect in 2022 and is now three for three. He paid $16.40 for the win. Jeff Edwards trains the Swan for All gelding for Denise Dennis and John Johannsen. The gelding is a product of Daryl Miller’s Blue Bird Farm.
Bluebird Bishop made eight starts last year with only one trip to the winner’s circle. Earlier this year, he took a new lifetime best of 1:53.2. He increased his earnings to more than $37,000 after winning two legs of the Indiana Sires Stakes this season.
In the other division Ponda Adventure made his 2022 racing debut a winning one, scoring his division in 1:53.2. Driven by Trace Tetrick, the Swan for All gelding was parked at the quarter in :28.1 before moving to the front. That was the last time a horse was around him. Ponda Adventure kept open lengths between him and the field, coasting home in :27.4 for the win. Sweet Boy Ben and Peter Wrenn finished second over Late Nite Hawk and Kyle Wilfong for third.
Ponda Adventure paid $2.20 as the heavy favorite. Erv Miller trains the Pond-A-Acres born trotter for Engle Stable of IL, Andy Willinger of Kentucky, and Jerry Graham of Illinois. Ponda Adventure is now nine for 11 in his career and has never finished back of second. He is just under the $300,000 mark in earnings and his sophomore debut put a new lifetime mark on his credentials.