It was a big night for the Erv Miller barn. In addition to sweeping both divisions of Indiana Sires Stakes action for two-year-old fillies, his filly, Jennifer Rocks surprised in the $25,000 Indiana Sired Mini Series final to break her maiden at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
Jennifer Rocks and Atlee Bender surprised the field in the $25,000 Mini Series Final Wednesday, July 27. Photo by Dean Gillette
In the first division of Sires Stakes action, Beauty N Grace driven by Atlee Bender were victorious in the $68,000 event. Starting from post two, Beauty N Grace was able to secure the third spot as race favorite Sleazy Mama and Trace Tetrick went to the lead, setting fractions of :27.1, :56.0 and 1:24.1 before horses began to close in. In the stretch, Beauty N Grace shook loose and paced home in :26.4 to win by two lengths in 1:51.1. Sleazy Mama finished second over Polks Image and Peter Wrenn for third.
Beauty N Grace paid $5.20 for the win. She is owned by Rocco Ruffolo, Bowie Racing LLC, Louis Willinger and Rick Howles. Erv Miller trains the filly, who was bred by Victory Hill Farm Inc. The Tellitlikeitis filly is now two for two with the mile marking a new career best. She is the latest winner for the mare Safta Perry, who has also produced Rockin Speed (1:49.1, $388,000) and JK Standingovation (1:51.1, $44,000).
In the second division, Miller’s JKs Lucky Lou and Trace Tetrick turned in a gate to wire effort for the win in 1:51.2. Starting from post seven, the JK Endofanera filly went straight to the lead with fractions of :26.4, :54.4 and 1:23.4 posted before drawing away from the field to win by three lengths. Tell’s On A Roll and Atlee Bender finished second to give Miller a one-two finish in the stakes. Layallyourloveonme and John DeLong finished third.
JKs Lucky Lou is owned by Douglas Overhiser, Rocco Ruffolo and Rick Howles. David Yoder and Daryl Lehman bred the filly, who is now three for three in her brief career.
Finally, in the Mini Series Final, Jennifer Rocks surprised the field with a last to first effort to win in 1:53.3. Starting from post nine, Bender placed the Rockin Image filly at the back of the pack and started the outer flow before the half in :56.0. The outer flow pulled the filly up to challenge in the stretch and she paced home in :27.1 for the win by one and three-quarter lengths in 1:53.3. Miss Cadet and Peter Wrenn finished second over Teracita and Sam Widger for third.
Jennifer Rocks was making her second career start. She won her qualifier prior to the series for Miller, and finished third in the first leg. She paid $11.60 as an upset winner in the race for owners Rocco Ruffolo, Bowie Racing LLC and Jennifer Rizzo. Devon Knepp bred the filly.