While Indiana Sires Stakes action continued Thursday, Oct. 5 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, several of the undercard races provided some great racing over the sloppy surface including 2023 Governor’s Cup Champion Sure Do. Guided by trainer Jay Cross, Sure Do scored the victory in the $16,000 Indiana Sires Stakes eligible event for three-year-old trotting fillies.
Sure Do began her race from post three and glided over to the inside as Helpineedsomebody and John DeLong grabbed the top spot with Atta Girl Dani and Ricky Macomber Jr. following them to the top, taking over after the quarter in :28.0. Once the second leader was cleared, that was a cue for Sure Do to get out and move. She trotted up to match Atta Girl Dani stride for stride at the half in :57.1 before moving on and taking over.
In the stretch, Sure Do help steady, trotting home in :29.0 for the win by one and three-quarter lengths in 1:55.2. Helpineedsomebody finished second over T’s Pride and Atlee Bender for third.
Sure Do was the favorite of the field, paying $3.20. The You Know You Do sophomore is owned by Carl Hanes. She was bred by John Bontrager Jr.
The win for Sure Do was her 12th of the season out of 17 starts. She has earned more than $67,000 this season with the Governor’s Cup Championship at the Indiana State Fairgrounds her biggest win. She took a new lifetime mark following that win when she trotted to victory in 1:54.2 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Sure Do is closing in on six figures for her career. She joins Coaches Corner as the two top Indiana sired horses this year for wins. Coaches Corner has 13 wins in 22 starts while Sure Do is right behind with 12 wins. The top horse by wins in North America this year is Dunkin’, a three-year-old pacing gelding with 21 wins for 2023.
The evening closed out with a $7,500 Reverse Invitational won by Ima Real Ladys Man. It was the fourth win on the card for driver John DeLong. The seven-year-old gelding got away next to last and didn’t make a move until the final turn. Once he got in gear, he began to pick off horses left and right, pacing home in :26.0 for the win in 1:53.0.
Seaside Hanover and Luke Plano finished second over Always Virgil and Michael Oosting for third.
Ima Real Ladys Man paid $7.40 for the win. The Tellitlikeitis son is owned by Jana Cromer. Charles Stewart trains the gelding, who earned his second win of 2023. Overall, he has 23 wins in 154 starts and more than $380,000 on his card. His career best time of 1:49.2 was taken at Harrah’s Hoosier Park at the age of five.