J-S Hopscotch and driver Kyle Wilfong turned in a dominant performance Wednesday, Oct. 26 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The duo completed the one-mile conditioned claiming trot in a time of 1:55.4.
J-S Hopscotch and driver Kyle Wilfong are greeted in the winner’s circle by Trainer Jacob Fox following their win at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Wednesday, Oct. 26. Photo by Dean Gillette
J-S Hopscotch, a one-time contender on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit, came into the race as the favorite off a second-place finish in his last race. He left the starting gate with authority and got the early lead by open lengths to post the first two fractions of :27.2 and :56.2. Very little action was moving to the outside to form the outer flow of traffic so J-S Hopscotch continued to lead the way through the three-quarters in 1:25.4. At this point, he was on top of the field by more than four lengths for the stretch drive home.
In the stretch, Wilfong kept the gelding focused on the finish, posting a three and one-quarter length victory with a final quarter in :30.0. Swanstrofthemidway and Brandon Bates closed well for second over Jesses Doll and Sam Widger for third.
J-S Hopscotch is owned by Twoforone Stable and trained by Jacob Fox. The Mr Web Page four-year-old was bred by Ben Wittmer Jr. and was purchased initially by Jack Myers, picking up a new name to represent his stable with the J-S moniker. It was the second time Wilfong had driven the gelding and the mile was near his lifetime mark of 1:55.1 taken earlier this year. J-S Hopscotch earned his third win of the season in 14 starts and boosted his career earnings tally over $75,000. He now has 14 career wins.
J-S Hopscotch just had a half sister named Better Than Help sell at the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale last weekend. The Helpisontheway filly was purchased for $34,000 by Hillside Stable of Decatur, Ind. Black Creek Farm served as the consigning agent on the filly.
In other Wednesday action at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, RJ’s Superfreak and John DeLong turned in an impressive mile to earn a win in two-year-old pacing action. The Luck Be Withyou colt got away third as Sonic Star and Jordan Ross set the first fraction of :29.0 before RJ’s Superfreak moved to the outside, taking over just after the half in 1:00.0. He then led the way by open lengths into the stretch and by the three-quarter mile marker in 1:28.2.
RJ’s Superfreak paced home in :27.3 for the win by one and one-quarter lengths in 1:56.0. Sonic Star was second over Always a Way and LeWayne Miller for third.
RJ’s Superfreak paid $5.60 for the win. He is owned by Jacob Smith and trained by Alvin Miller. It was his second straight win at Harrah’s Hoosier Park and third overall in eight starts. His career best time was taken earlier this year in 1:55.1.