Indiana Sires Stakes is in full swing this week at Harrah’s Hoosier Park and a longshot trotter kicked off the Wed. Oct. 4 racing card. Temple City and Atlee Bender went to battle with two other conditioned claimers and came out with the win in 1:58.4.
Temple City (center with Atlee Bender) battled with two other horses heading to the wire. Track Photographer Dean Gillette got a shot with all 12 feet off the ground just a few feet before the finish line. Photo by Dean Gillette
Starting from an outside post in the eight hole, Bender sent Temple City out for the lead and nestled into the two hole as Dudley and John DeLong took over the top spot, passing the quarter in :29.3 and half in :59.1. Temple City stayed close around the final turn and when the stretch arrived, he moved out to get a better shot at taking over the top spot.
While Temple City was battling with Dudley, horses from the back of the pack began to close in on both sides. Midway through the stretch, Temple City shook loose from Dudley and was in a fierce battle with Dirty Dingus Magee and Dexter Dunn on the inside while Kyle Wilfong was closing in with Libbys Cool Cat on the outside. The trio of horses came to the finish line together, giving Temple City the edge by a nose over Dirty Dingus Magee to his inside. Libbys Cool Cat finished a neck back in third.
Temple City paid $51.40 for the win. The ABC Garland gelding is owned by breeder Don Swartzentruber. Robert Wagler trains the sophomore, who was making his 35th lifetime start to snag his first win. After no wins at two, he returned this year and had five second place finishes before getting his win. His dam, Betorfold, raced on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit, Harrah’s Hoosier Park, Indiana Downs, Blue Grass Downs, and Raceway Park before settling into the Swartzentruber’s breeding operation.
Another longshot won the second race of the night as JB’s Crystalbullet and Michael Oosting came from off the pace to get the win in 1:52.4. The Straight Shooting two-year-old gelding was a winner by one and one-quarter lengths over Skyway Houdini and Ricky Macomber Jr. Skyway Checkmate and Marvin Luna finished third.
JB’s Crystalbullet paid $32.40 for the win. He is owned by John Barnard, who also bred and raised him. It was his sixth start with the win marking his first trip to the winner’s circle.
Later in the card, two-year-old pacing fillies were in action in the sixth round of Indiana Sires Stakes. Lets Go Endofaera and John Delong won the first division in 1:52.0 while Lyin’ Eyes and Joey Putnam was the second division in 1:52.3. The eighth round for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings was also held with Talent Scout and Dexter Dunn grabbing the win in 1:53.1.