Lightly raced trotters were in the spotlight on Wednesday, April 17 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, with a trio $27,397 series finals highlighting the 14-race card. In a week chock full of series finale action, finals for the Mya Tri, Cardinal and Chad E. Carlton Trotting Series kicked the festivities off. Among the highlights of the night, A Blue Million completed a sweep of one of the series to remain undefeated this year.
The Mya Tri for filly and mare trotters that were non-winners of one race or $11,644 lifetime served as the evening’s sixth race on the card, where Ponda Aesthetic pulled off the 25-1 shocker. Leaving from post three in the field of 10, driver Jordan Ross settled Ponda Aesthetic into the pocket as 6-5 favourite E V Cocoa and Joey Putnam found the front through an opening quarter of :28.1. Putnam continued to lead to the halfway point in :58 while Brandon Bates sent Swanthing Else on her way first-over into third at three-quarters in 1:27.2. Ponda Aesthetic spotted E V Cocoa three lengths turning for home, before beginning her furious rally up the passing lane. Charging home in :28, Ponda Aesthetic timed the move to perfection to nail a game E V Cocoa on the wire by a half-length in 1:56. Swanthing Else held on for third to round out the trifecta.
The victory was the first in the 15-race career for Ponda Aesthetic, who is owned by trainer Mike Hollenback along with Alvin Miller. The three-year-old daughter of Skyway Torpedo-Ackbro Ms Perfect has now banked $22,511 for her career. She was one of two victories on the night for the Ross/Hollenback combo.
The counterpart for the males was next and A Blue Million (pictured above) delivered as the 3-5 favourite in a sweep of the the Cardinal Series. Leaving from post three, driver Mike Peterson wasted no time getting A Blue Million to the lead, hustling through a first quarter of :28. Peterson had things his way to the half in :57.4 before leading to three-quarters in 1:28.3 as Bob Lee Bell and Marvin Luna stalked from the pocket. As the trotters turned for home, A Blue Million shifted gears in the stretch, motoring home in :26.3 to open up by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:55.1. Bob Lee Bell finished second, with Hudson Swan and John De Long finishing third.
A Blue Million is now perfect through four starts in 2024 and the Leander Schwartz trainee is a nine time winner for his career. Owned by Jeffrey and Stephen Stoll, the three-year-old gelded son of Swan In A Million-IPO Blue Chip has racked up a career bankroll of $52,112 from 21 starts.
After tasting defeat for the first time this season last week at Miami Valley Raceway, Upnaway Blue Chip returned to the winner’s circle after taking the Chad E. Carlton Trotting Series final for trotters that were non-winners of two races or $41,096 lifetime. Driver Trace Tetrick was aggressive from the outset, clearing to the lead from post three before the opening turn and laying down a :28.1 first quarter. The 1-9 favourite received respect on the backstretch, where he led to the half in :57.4 before Customer Support and Robert Taylor ranged up first-over to three-quarters in 1:27.3. Upnaway Blue Chip responded to the pressure from Customer Support, however, faced an upset bid from Kanita and Atlee Bender at 30-1 up the passing lane. Upnaway Blue Chip dug deep under Tetrick urging in the lane, trotting home in :27.4 to hold sway by a half-length on the line in 1:55.2 over Kanita. Customer Support held for the third position.
Trained by Patrizio Ancora, Upnaway Blue Chip has been a winner in five of six outings in 2024. Owned by Rebecca Uppal-Ancora, the four-year-old gelded son of Chapter Seven-Noreaster Bluechip pushed his lifetime earnings to $71,250 in his eighth race.
Racing continues at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Thursday, April 18 with a 14-race card, highlighted by the $20,000 USD Miss Windfall and Kenneth Stohler Memorial finals for pacing fillies and mares. Gamblers will also have a number of large pools to take aim at, with a $11,127.33 carryover in the Jackpot Pick 6 (Races 8-13), to go along with $10,000 guarantees on the Late Pick 4 (Races 11-14) and Hoosier High 5 (Race 14). First post for the Thursday card is 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Hoosier Park)