North American News - Big week of stakes racing ahead

A huge night of juvenile trotting is set for Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday, with almost $1 million in stakes money on offer across two Grade 1 features.

The $475,100 Peter Haughton Memorial for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings and the $483,350 Jim Doherty Memorial for two-year-old trotting fillies headline the 15-race card.

Unbeaten Indiana youngster Swan Good Bi (Swan For All) is the 8-5 morning-line favourite for the Peter Haughton after beginning his career with five consecutive victories. The Henry Graber Jr-trained gelding has already won three Indiana Sire Stakes races and has a career best of 1:55.

Marcus Melander and Dexter Dunn will attempt to continue a remarkable run in the race with Dream Shaq (Father Patrick). The combination won the previous two editions with Maryland and subsequent Hambletonian winner Apex, and Dream Shaq arrives with three victories from his opening starts in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes company.

Melander also holds a powerful hand in the Jim Doherty, preparing three of the seven runners headed by Birr Castle (Captain Corey) and Athena’s Girl (Walner).

Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion Birr Castle is the 2-1 favourite after equalling her 1:53.4 lifetime mark when winning the $300,000 PASS Final at Pocono Downs. She has won four of five starts this season and earned $234,681.

Athena’s Girl has been installed at 5-2 after stringing together three consecutive victories. Her latest was a career-best 1:53 performance in the Grade 1 Peaceful Way at Woodbine Mohawk Park, with Dexter Dunn again taking the drive on Friday.

Both Grade 1 races carry added importance as “Win and You’re In” Breeders Crown events, giving eligible winners automatic berths in their respective finals at Scioto Downs on October 23.

Friday’s program also includes the $78,750 Hoosier Cup for Indiana-sired three-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

The meeting begins a major four-week stretch at Hoosier Park, followed by the Caesars Trotting Classic on September 25, the final Indiana Sire Stakes leg on October 2 and the $2.2 million Hoosier Champions card on October 9.

Sunday beckons a huge day at The Red Mile where eight $400,000  Kentucky Championship Series Finals take place.

To see the stacked fields for that meeting click here.

by Bevan Greig for Harnesslink