2021 Indiana Trotter of the Year Swingforthefences debuted for his new connections in a big way during the second set of qualifiers at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Saturday, March 12. The four-year-old Swan for All was a winner by open lengths in 1:56.2.
Swingforthefences, shown with former connections Peter Wrenn from last October, made his impressive debut for his new connections in qualifying action Saturday, March 12. Photo by Dean Gillette
Driven by Trace Tetrick, Swingforthefences went straight to the top in the reduced field of three. He kept open lengths between him and the other two in the qualifier, posting fractions of :29.0, :59.0 and 1:29.2. In the stretch, Swingforthefences did what he does best, trotted home in a brisk :27.0 for the win by four and one-quarter lengths. Captain Sonny Fox and Sam Widger finished second over Ideal Jesse and James Yoder for third.
Swingforthefences, who was campaigned during his two and three-year-old seasons by the Wrenn Stable, was sold during the off season to Pollack Racing LLC and Jeff Cullipher. Cullipher now handles the training duties for the talented gelding, who was bred by Concord Stud Farm of New Jersey. Swingforthefences comes into his four-year-old campaign with 15 wins in 31 starts and earnings of more than $682,000. His career best time of 1:52.1 was taken last year at three at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
Also on the qualifying card was the return of Goldie’s Legacy, another standout from the Cullipher barn last season. The Always a Virgin gelding, also now four, won nine races last year for Cullipher and Pollack. He enters the 2022 season with 11 wins in 35 starts and earnings of more than $370,000. His career best time stands at 1:49.0 taken last year at three.