Hoosier Shark and George Napolitano Jr. were gate to wire winners in upset fashion Sunday, Dec. 18 at Harrah’s Philadelphia. The duo turned in the mile in a time of 1:54.3 as a longshot in the field of eight claimers.
Hoosier Shark rallied home as a longshot at Harrah’s Philly Sunday, Dec. 18 for the win in the $15,000 claimer driven by George Napolitano.
Hoosier Shark left the gate with authority from the center of the track and locked in an early battle with Four-star Flash and Austin Siegelman out of the gate. Hoosier Shark finally got the best of his early competitor and led the field past the quarter in :27.2. Hoosier Shark continued to lead the way through the half in :56.4 with Tymal Peacemaker and Simon Allard sitting to the outside to challenge.
Heading into the final turn, Hoosier Shark was still strong with Four-star Flash right at his back for the stretch drive. The Indiana sired gelding continued to hold his ground in the stretch for the win by one and one-quarter length over Tymal Peacemaker, who never went away on the outside. Four-star Flash held his ground inside for third.
Hoosier Shark paid $36.40 for the win. The four-year-old son of Tellitlikeitis is owned by Valda Sillman and bred by Brett Boyd Racing Inc. of Michigan. Michael Sinclair trains the gelding. Hoosier Shark now has three wins in 2022 in 19 starts. His career best time of 1:52.0 was taken last year at three at Plainridge Racecourse. Overall, he has 12 wins in 58 starts with nearly $100,000 on his card. He is a full brother to Princess Sharktank, who also has a mark of 1:52.0.
Hoosier Shark has been racing up and down the Eastern Seaboard since leaving Indiana at two. The one-time Indiana Sires Stakes contender for James Yoder then went to Pompano Park with Braxten Boyd before relocating to Tioga Downs. He has had several barn changes until he was acquired by his current connections at the beginning of December. It was his second start for the Sinclair Stable.