Some quick miles were recorded at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Friday, July 12, including Rockin Nola and Joey Putnam, who stopped the timer in 1:49.4 to win a division of the $49,500 Indiana Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies. The time of the mile equaled the current track record established by Wisdom Tree and Sam Widger set in 2018.
Rockin Nola and Joey Putnam, shown from a previous win this season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, equaled the track record for three-year-old pacing fillies Friday, July 12. Photo by Linscott Photography
Putnam got Rockin Nola away in mid pack and waited patiently until the field straightened out down the backstretch. The Rockin Image sophomore pulled out and went straight to the front, securing the top spot after the half in :55.4. Rockin Nola continued with a quick tempo and paced home in :26.4 to hit the wire in a new career best and track record of 1:49.4. The win also marked the quickest mile for Putnam who started his driving career two years ago. Glorious Virgin and Trace Tetrick finished second over Play For Pay and Brandon Bates for third.
A $15,000 yearling purchase from the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale, Rockin Nola is now five for six in 2019 for trainer Joe Putnam. She has nine career wins in 17 career starts with purse earnings in excess of $240,000. Putnam owns the filly with Suttons Bay Racing of Michigan and Novi Trot LLC of Illinois.
The first division of Indiana Sires Stakes action was won by Incredible Show in a time of 1:51.3. The Shadyshark Hanover filly turned in a big final panel of :25.2 to sweep by her opponents for the win, paying $40.60 to win for her efforts with Sam Widger at the controls. Fully A Virgin and Michael Oosting finished second over This Peach Rocks and Ross Leonard for third.
Mark P’Pool, John McGill, Hen-Shaut Stable and Steve Collins own Incredible Show. P’Pool trains the filly, who was purchased for $27,000 out of the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale.