Ponda Adventure is turning summer into quite an adventure for his connections. The sophomore son of Swan for All is a perfect four for four following his win in the $20,000 event for three-year-old Indiana sired trotters Wednesday, July 13.
Ponda Adventure and Trace Tetrick remained perfect for 2022 with their fourth win of the season Wed. July 13.
Ponda Adventure had the outside post and driver Trace Tetrick guided the gelding out of the gate towards the lead. However, with so much early speed on the inside, Ponda Adventure soon found himself three wide heading into the first turn and Tetrick backed him off, settling into the back of the pack as Yo Mister and Verlin Yoder set the first fraction of :27.2 followed closely by Scorecard Dan and John DeLong. Heading to the half, Tetrick pulled Ponda Adventure to the outside and the gelding began to make a sweeping move to the leaders.
At the head of the lane, horses were fanned out across the track and Ponda Adventure was right in the middle of them. Four horses had a clear shot at the wire, but Ponda Adventure began to pull away from the inside horses. However, Flat Out Foxy and Michael Oosting were closing quickly on the outside to present a bit of a late race challenge to Ponda Adventure, but the gelding, who races with a low head carriage prevailed in 1:54.0. Flat Out Foxy finished second over Scorecard Dan. Less than two lengths separated the top five finishers.
Ponda Adventure was the heavy favorite due to his perfect record this season. He is owned by Engel Stable of IL, Louis Willinger and Jerry Graham. Erv Miller trains the product of Pond-A-Acres, who increased his career bankroll to more than $377,000 with the win. Counting his two qualifiers to prepare him for the 2022 racing season, Ponda Adventure has all “ones” on his chart line and already has more than $100,000 on his card this season. He took his career best time in a leg of Indiana Sires Stakes action this summer in 1:52.4.
Later in the card, two-year-old pacing fillies were featured in the first round of Indiana Sires Stakes with Beauty N Grace and Atlee Bender taking the first division in 1:51.2. In fact, Trainer Erv Miller finished one two in the race with Sleazy Mama also pacing under the 1:52 time barrier to finish second.
Beauty N Grace is owned by Rocco Ruffolo, Bowie Racing LLC, Louis Willinger and Rick Howles. Victory Hill Farm bred the Tellitlikeitis filly, who is a half sister to standout pacer Rockin Speed, winner of more than $387,000 with a mark of 1:49.1.
The second division of freshman pacing fillies was won by JKs Lucky Lou and Trace Tetrick in a time of 1:51.4. The JK Endofanera filly led gate to wire for the win by a neck over Plan to Tell and Jimmy Whittemore. Shadowrage and Andy Shetler finished third.
JKs Lucky Lou is also trained by Erv Miller for owners Doug Overhiser, Rocco Ruffolo and Rick Howles. David Yoder and Daryl Lehman bred the filly, who is now two for two.