Two-year-old colts repeated their winning performances

Two-year-old trotting colts were back in action at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Saturday, Aug. 24, competing in a pair of $89,865 Indiana Sire Stakes divisions. The results from round four mirrored those from leg three, as Eugene The Genius and Sure Did repeated their winning performances.

In the first division, Eugene The Genius delivered a career-best effort to maintain his impressive form. Guided by regular driver Mike Oosting and sent off as the 4-5 favourite, Eugene The Genius started from post five in the field of eight. Oosting settled the colt into the pocket behind Starlitfranknstein (Trace Tetrick), who led through a :28.2 opening quarter and a :58.1 half. On the final turn, Starlitfranknstein opened up a 2-1/2 length lead, reaching three-quarters in 1:26.4.

As they turned for home, Eugene The Genius tipped off the rail, closing in on Starlitfranknstein. With a sharp :27.1 final quarter, Eugene The Genius surged ahead in the stretch, crossing the line 2-1/4 lengths clear in 1:54.2. Starlitfranknstein held on for second, while Kody Kickstand (Ricky Macomber Jr.) finished third.

Trained by Missy Essig for owners Russell Beeman and Charles Weaver, Eugene The Genius has been outstanding in his young career, winning five of six starts and amassing $167,342 in earnings. The gelded son of Helpisontheway-Muscle Baby Doll was bred by Black Creek Farm and Hickory Hollow Stables.

In the second division, Sure Did replicated his previous success as the 1-2 favourite. With driver Marvin Luna at the reins, Sure Did took on a field reduced to seven by scratches. Starting from post four, he settled into third early as High-Speed Swan (Mike Oosting) led the way with fractions of :28.3 and :59.1. Luna then sent Sure Did first-over on the final turn, advancing into second and narrowing the gap to 2-1/2 lengths by the three-quarters marker in 1:28.4.

In the stretch, Sure Did quickly closed in on High-Speed Swan, taking a narrow lead before pulling away with a swift :27.2 final quarter. He finished two lengths ahead in 1:56.3. High-Speed Swan secured second place, while Mehelpingyou (Jordan Ross) rallied to take third.

Trained by Walter Haynes Jr. for owners Matthew Miller and John McGill, Sure Did has now won four of nine starts this year, with total earnings of $129,472. The gelded son of You Know You Do-Challax Hanover was bred by John Bontrager.

Racing resumes at Hoosier Park on Tuesday, Aug. 27, with a 13-race card beginning at 6:15 p.m. The card features a $7,500 guaranteed Early Pick 5 (with a $1,362.27 carryover) in races one through five and a $10,000 guaranteed Hoosier High Five in the 13th and final race.