Indiana’s reigning Trotter of the Year showed he was ready for action in his 2022 debut Saturday, March 26 in the first Open Trot of the season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Swingforthefences with new pilot Trace Tetrick scored a gate to wire effort in flawless form for the win.
Swingforthefences and Trace Tetrick scored a win for new connections Jeff Cullipher and Tom Pollack in the first Open Trot of the season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Saturday, March 26. Photo by Dean Gillette
Starting from post eight under new connections, Swingforthefences rallied straight to the lead and was on top by two at the quarter in :27.1. He was able to get a breather during the middle fractions in :57.1 and 1:28.0 before turning up the heat in the stretch. Swingforthefences rallied home in :27.4 to win by two and three-quarter lengths in 1:55.4. Longshot Cassius Lane and Michael Oosting finished second over ER Kim and Bradley Ferguson for third.
Swingforthefences changed ownership over the winter from the Wrenn Stable, who campaigned him through his two and three-year-old seasons. The four-year-old Swan for All gelding is now part of the tough Jeff Cullipher Stable under the ownership of Cullipher and Tom Pollack’s Pollack Racing LLC. Concord Study Farm, 2021 Small Breeder of the Year in Indiana, bred the gelding.
Swingforthefences now has 16 wins in 32 starts, 12 of which were recorded last year at three. His career earnings are approaching $700,000 with his best time taken last year at Dover Downs in 1:52.1.
As one veteran trotter continues on with his career, one trotter is just beginning his. GV Swanderfuh, driven by LeWayne Miller, won her first career start, also by open lengths. The three-year-old daughter of Swan for All had a good starting spot along the inside and took advantage, getting to the lead at the quarter in :28.0 and continuing on his journey through fractions of :59.4 and 1:32.2, leading by three lengths the entire way.
In the stretch, GV Swanderfuh trotted her final quarter in :27.1 for the win by three lengths in 1:59.3. B Medithree and Sandy Beatty finished second over Swans King and John DeLong finished third.
GV Swanderfuh paid $11.80 for the win in a division of the Donnie Conrad Memorial. She is owned by Michael Wolf and David Schneider with James Yoder serving as trainer. Dean Miller bred the filly, who was purchased out of the Michiana Classic Yearling Sale for $10,000. She is a half sister to Kronwall, who earned a mark of 1:56.1 and more than $100,00 during his racing career.