Buzzsaw Russ and John DeLong turned the fastest last quarter in the deep field of contenders in Indiana Sires Stakes action Friday, July 21 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The duo upset the field in the $96,000 fourth leg of the series.
Buzzsaw Russ stands with his connections in the winners circle Friday, July 21 following his record equaling journey in 1:48.2. Photo by Dean Gillette
Buzzsaw Russ had post two and that’s exactly where he wanted to be, moving out just enough to get the spot behind Why Not Now and LeWayne Miller. Early fractions of :27.2 and :55.3 were set before Coach Stefanos and Trace Tetrick moved up to challenge on the outside.
In the stretch, Coach Stefanos had a game plan and was pressing the pace, giving Buzzsaw Russ the opportunity to come up the inside, pacing home in :25.2 for the win by two and one-quarter lengths. Coach Stefanos finished second over Why Not Now for third.
Buzzsaw Russ paid $11.60 for the win. The three-year-old gelding is owned by Russ Beeman and Charles Weaver. Missy Essig trains the Rockin Image son, who was bred by Devon Beechy and Devon Knepp.
The time of 1:48.2 was not only a new lifetime mark for Buzzsaw Russ, it equaled the track record for three-year-old pacing geldings. Every horse in the race but one paced home in under :27 seconds, showing the talent in the sophomore pacing ranks this season.
It was the second win of the season for Buzzsaw Russ, who had a previous win in 1:49.2. After winning four of nine starts at two, he is now six for 15 during his career with more than $300,000 on his card. He was the highest priced yearling out of 64 that sold by Rockin Image, selling under the name Cruiser’s Image for a price tag of $52,000. He’s the first foal out of the Yankee Cruiser mare Up Front Cruiser, who has a mark of 1:50 and nearly a half million on her card. The family has a two-year-old this season, a full sister to Buzzsaw Russ named Cruisersfoxyjudy, who has already made a start this year for the Doug Rideout Stable. The family also has a JK Endofanera colt that is a yearling named Shipshe Chrome, who will be available at the sales this fall.
Also a winner on the Friday card was Sure Thing Herman in the $22,000 Open Pace. Guided by Atlee Bender, the four-year-old Tellitlikeitis gelding, owned by Pollack Racing and Jeff Cullipher, turned in a gate to wire effort for the win in 1:50.0, a final quarter in :26.1. Rollinlikethunder and Trace Tetrick finished a half length back in second over Yourwishisgranted and Ricky Macomber Jr. for third.
Jeff Cullipher trains Sure Thing Herman, who was bred by Jerry Graham. It was his third trip to the winner’s circle this season and his 11th overall. He is closing in on a quarter million dollars in earnings with his career best time taken earlier this season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in 1:49.1.