J-S Swanman, the standout trotter on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit (ISFC) from the Jack Myers Racing Stable two summers ago, earned a win at The Meadows Wednesday, Nov. 11. Now trained by Tyler Stillings, the four-year-old son of Swan for All scored the win in 1:55.4 with Tony Hall in the bike.
J-S Swanman, shown with driver Alex Udell at the Shelby County Fairgrounds in 2019, has been racing well in Pennsylvania this fall. He was part of the annual stable reduction by Jack Myers Racing Stable at the Midwest Mixed Sale last fall. Photo by Tammy Knox
Starting from the outside post seven, J-S Swanman wasted no time getting into the early mix of the race, grabbing the lead before the quarter in :27.4. From there, he controlled the remainder of the mile, trotting home in :29.3 to win by one and one-half lengths as the favorite of the field. Aftermeyourfirst and Aaron Merriman finished second over Cotton To You and Jim Pantaleano for third.
Owned by Rags to Riches of Pa, LLC, J-S Swanman nearly equaled his career best time of 1:55.2 in the mile, which was taken earlier this year at The Meadows. It was his fourth win of the season and his 19th overall in 58 career starts. He now has in excess of $88,000 on his card. It was his second win in five starts for his new connections, who claimed him in late September. Since the claim, he hasn’t been worse than second in five starts. Marvin Miller bred the Indiana sired gelding.
While J-S Swanman was trotting up a storm in Pennsylvania, Isitlikeitlooks was a winner at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming in Kentucky in the $10,000 Open II Pace. A son of Tellitlikeitis, he was able to grab an early lead from the start and lead the field gate to wire in 1:53.2, a final panel in :28.3. Randy Crisler drove the four-year-old gelding to the win for trainer Joe Putnam and owners JP Racing LLC and Joey Putnam. Oakwood Farms is the breeder.
Finishing second to Isitlikeitlooks was Dee Rocks, another Indiana sired product. She was six and three-quarter lengths back in second over Gotthisone Hanover and Kyle Wilfong for third. Driven and trained by Jamaica Patton, the Rockin Image five-year-old mare has 22 wins in 70 career starts. Her mark of 1:51.0 taken at Harrah’s Hoosier Park last year remains as her quickest career mark. Ron Phillips and John Carver own Dee Rocks and are the breeders on the Indiana sired mare.