carl erskine

On To Norway extended his win streak to 19 in the $185,000 Carl Erskine for three-year-old trotting colts. Leaving from the rail, tabbed as the 1-20 favorite with regular pilot John De Long aboard. On To Norway floated away in fourth on the first turn while Operator (Kyle Wilfong) swept to the lead from post nine through a :27.3 first quarter. Wilfong grabbed leather on the backstretch, tapping the brakes to the half in :57 when De Long tipped On To Norway off the cones and brushed alongside the leader around the far turn and to three-quarters in 1:26. On To Norway surged ahead at the top of the lane, trotting home in :27.4 to reach the wire first by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:53.4. His Ron Burke stablemate Cheers Hanover (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) shook loose late to get up for second at 63-1 while Operator held for the show spot.
Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, Black And White Stable and Michael Rosenthal, On To Norway has not tasted defeat since a second-place effort in his three-year-old debut on April 3 of this year. The gelded son of Muscle Massive-One Class Act was bred by Bennet Farms Inc of MI and has earned $565,931 through 20 starts this season.
T C I held up his end of the bargain as the 1-5 favorite in the Carl Erskine, emerging atop a skirmish with Indiana champion Gruesome Twosome and Ontario Champion Paquet.
T C I left alertly with driver Dave Miller, grabbing the pocket seat behind Paquet (Jody Jamieson) to the first quarter in :27.3. Miller moved T C I to the lead briefly on the backstretch before Gruesome Twosome (Daryl Bontrager) tipped from third to take command to the half in :56.3. The field of six trotted to the far turn with all three of the favorites having taken their turn on the lead, with Gruesome Twosome leading to three-quarters in 1:25.2.
At the top of the lane, Paquet moved back into contention first-over as Gruesome Twosome drifted off of the rail, providing daylight for T C I. Gruesome Twosome battle valiantly on the lead before T C I surged up the cones in :27.1 to power to victory by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:52.4. Gruesome Twosome held for second, Paquet finished third.
Trained by Ron Burke, it was announced in the Winner’s Circle following the race that T C I will join the Midland Acres stallion roster in Ohio for 2025. The son of Cantab Hall-Nicole’s Promise has won seven of 13 on the year, earning $592,202 on the year and over $1.8 million career for owners Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services and Weaver Bruscemi.
A week removed from the 40th edition of the Breeders Crown, Harrah’s Hoosier Park once again played host to some of the starts brightest starts in a quartet of sophomore stakes races on Friday, November 3. The beat went on for the 2023 Hambletonian Champion as Tactical Approach added yet another stakes score to his resume with a dominant performance in the $205,000 Carl Erskine which headlined the 13-race card.
Teaming up once again with Scott Zeron, Tactical Approach wasted little time getting to the lead from post eight in the field of ten, crossing over to the pylons in front through a hot opening-quarter of :27. The Nancy Takter trainee maintained a solid pace on the engine, leading the field to the halfway point in :55.3 with Ponda Jet and Kyle Wilfong in hot pursuit from the pocket. Tactical Approach began to separate from the field rounding the far turn, putting three lengths between himself and Ponda Jet through three-quarters in 1:24.1 as French Wine and Andy Miller led the outer-flow into third.
As the trotters turned for home, Tactical Approach maintained a measured lead as he trotted home in :28 to score the victory by two-lengths on the line in 1:52.1. Jet Hill and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. navigated traffic in stretch to rally for the place position, with Ponda Jet holding for third. Tactical Approach returned $3.20 to his backers at the betting windows.
The victory was the tenth in 18 seasonal outings for Tactical Approach who has now banked $1,422,239 on the year for owners Robert Leblanc, John Fielding, Joe Sbrocco and Jaf Racing. Bred by Steve Stewart and Oakwood farms, trainer Nancy Takter noted the son of Tactical Approach-Sarcy is being pointed towards the $350,000 Fanduel Championship at the Meadowlands before heading to stud duty in Pennsylvania at Diamond Creek Farms in 2024.
$200,000 Carl Erskine, for 3-year-old trotting colts, King Of The North proved he still had plenty left in the tank following his stakes record Breeders Crown victory with a decisive 1:52.2 score. Leaving from post four as the heavy 1-5 favorite in the field of nine, driver Mark MacDonald put King Of The North into play early, landing the pocket as Delgado and Sam Widger cut the opening fraction of :26.2. MacDonald didn’t sit for long, pulling the right line on King Of The North as soon as the trotters hit the backstretch, quickly taking command through a half in :54.3. The 2021 Dan Patch Award winner kept the field at bay on the far turn, maintaining his lead through three-quarters in 1:23:1.
King Of The North turned for home two lengths clear and continued to shrug off the challengers in the lane, trotting away by three lengths on the wire behind the power of a :29.1 final quarter. Delgado held for second at 114-1, with a hard-charging Dover In Motion (Ricky Macomber Jr.) rallying from the backfield to pick up third.
“He’s really been good all year long,” MacDonald explained. “He’s never gone a bad race, and even when he has, he’s had a reason. He’s got such a great attitude, he’s just the perfect horse to be around in the barn, and he’s great on the track. We’re really happy it’s all come together here late in the season with him.”
It was the third victory of the season for King Of The North, with all of those victories coming in his last three tries of his 16-start sophomore campaign.
With the victory, King Of The North has gone over $500,000 in seasonal earnings, and he has now banked $1,130,867 lifetime for trainer Ray Schnittker, who bred and co-owns the colt as part of the Schnittker Ward partnership along with Arden Homestead Stable, Nolamaura Racing LLC and Steven Arnold. The royally-bred colt is part of the first crop of trotting sensation Walner and out of the two-time Dan Patch Award-winning Donato Hanover mare Check Me Out. King Of The North heads to Bally’s Dover next week for the Matron Stakes before potentially taking on older foes in the TVG Final at the Meadowlands in late November.
Driver Peter Wrenn kicked-off what would prove to be a great night in the bike with a win in the $165,000 Carl Erskine for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters. Wrenn piloted heavy favorite Swingforthefences who entered tonight’s event riding a five-race win streak that included the $270,000 Indiana Sire Stakes Super Final, as well as stakes victories in the Pegasus and Circle City at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
Wrenn elected to protect rail position, guiding the 3-5 favorite to the front end through an opening quarter of 28:0. Swingforthefences would have things his way up the backstretch, tapping the brakes a bit to the tune of 28:4 in the second quarter with Tim Tetrick in Platinum As content to sit the pocket. Swingforthefences maintained control of the field on the far turn through three quarters in 1:25:2 before Tetrick launched his bid from the pocket in the stretch. Swingforthefences dug in gamely in the stretch with a 28:1 final panel to hold sway by a length and a quarter in 1:53:3. Platinum As held on for second while Seven Nation Army and LeWayne Miller rounded out the trifecta.
“He’s just been so consistent all season long,” Wrenn noted in the winner’s circle. “We’ve been fortunate and he has stayed healthy and sound all year for us and he really has just gotten stronger as the season has gone on.”
Trained by Melanie Wrenn, the gelded son of Swan For All—Sunday Yankee picked up his tenth victory of the season in 17 starts, and has gone over a half million in lifetime earnings, banking $565,890 for owners David Mc Duffee and L&L Devisser LLC.
As for the remainder of the season, Wrenn noted that Swingforthefences is eligible to the Matron Stakes, otherwise he may remain at Harrah’s Hoosier Park with the Star Destroyer and Thanksgiving Classic Stakes still on the schedule.
After a narrow miss in the $500,000 Breeders Crown final for three-year-old trotting colts last week, Play Trix On Me and driver Joe Bongiorno were out for a redemption victory and got it in the $140,000 Carl Erskine Trot in 1:53.
Using similar tactics as his previous two efforts at Hoosier Park, Bongiorno sent Play Trix On Me away from the gate for position. Play Trix On Me reached the front through the opening panel in :26.4 before yielding the lead to Ready For Moni and Yannick Gingras. Ready For Moni lead the field through splits of :56 and 1:25.1 and when the field turned for home, the race appeared to be wide open. Play Trix On Me found late racing room up the inside and utilized a :27.2 closing quarter to the get the win over It’s Academic and Chris Page.
“It feels so good to be in the winner’s circle after last week,” Bongiorno noted after the victory. “I don’t normally feel torn up after a race but I was still feeling torn about that one even two days later. He raced so well. He’s confident and has great gate speed, but it just wasn’t enough.”
“I got so lucky picking up the drive on this horse,” he continued. “I remember looking at his lines and thinking ‘he’s been good all year, he just hasn’t gotten lucky for a win.’ He got that tonight and raced really, really well again for me.”
Trained by Linda Toscano, Play Trix On Me is owned by Renee Spahr. The son of Trixton—Lima Playmate recorded his fourth win of the season from 14 outs. Play Trix On Me now sports a lifetime bankroll of $242,971.
After making a costly break in the $500,000 Breeders Crown three-year-old colt trot last week, Don’t Let‘em was out for redemption and rebounded with authority in the $220,000 Carl Erskine Trot for three-year-old colts and geldings. The cold temperatures didn’t seem to deter Don’t Let‘em and Yannick Gingras as they stopped the timer in 1:51.4 to re-establish the track record for three-year-old colt trotters. The previous mark of 1:52.1 was set by What The Hill in Breeders Crown action in 2017.
Sent off as the heavy betting favorite, Don’t Let ‘em left alertly from post two but Mass Fortune K and Matt Kakaley were a step quicker through the opening quarter in :27.4. Gingras moved Don’t Let ‘Em to the front just before the half in :55.1 and was immediately joined on the outside by Pilot Discretion and Andrew McCarthy.
Don’t Let ‘Em was able to turn back Pilot Discretion through the three-quarters in 1:23.2 and was on top with a two length lead turning for home. Using a :28.2 final quarter, Don’t Let ‘em stayed on task and trotted strong to the wire finishing five lengths in front of late-closing Chin Chin Hall and Peter Wrenn. Pilot Discretion held on for third.
“He’s going to drive me crazy,” trainer Nancy Johansson noted with a smile after the victory. “It’s just whatever horse shows up. He obviously has tremendous speed. He has tremendous speed and the talent, he just needs to behave. I never know what horse is going to show up but when he is on his game, he’s incredible. ”
With the win, the son of Muscle Hill-Passageway recorded his fourth win from 13 outs this season and sports a 23-8-5-0 lifetime record. Owned by Brittany Farms, C. Takter, J. Fielding, and H. Liverman, Don’t Let‘em has amassed $569,967 in lifetime purse earnings. Don’t Let‘em was bred by Brittany Farms, LLC.

monument circle

The evening concluded with Captain Optimistic holding up his end of the bargain as the 4-5 favorite in the $172,500 Monument Circle for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers. Scott Zeron was aggressive off the wings, parked to the outside of leader Papi’s Rocket (Yannick Gingras) to an opening quarter of :26.2. Captain Optimistic cleared on the backstretch, racing to the half in :55.1 before Swingtown (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) moved first-over and raced at the leader’s wheel to three-quarters in 1:22.3. Captain Optimistic turned away Swingtown before holding Papi’s Rocket at bay from the pocket to cruise to a 1:49.4 victory by 1-1/2 lengths. Trainer Ron Burke swept positions two through five on the Hoosier High 5 ticket with Papi’s Rocket, Railroad Station (David Miller), Rick Wink (Chris Page) and Swingtown respectively.
The winning Captain Optimistic is trained by Nancy Takter for owners 3 Brothers Stables, Marvin Katz, Caviart Farms and Deo Volente Farms. Bred by Fair Winds Farm, the Captaintreacherous-Cinomony colt has won five of 17 on the season, good for $571,210 on the year and became the sport’s newest millionaire with lifetime earnings of $1,026,040 following the win.
Nijinsky proved to be a in a league of his own on Friday (Nov. 1) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, scoring decisively in the $180,000 Monument Circle which highlighted the 13-race card. Additionally, T C I rebounded from a strong second-place effort last weekend in the Breeders Crown, cruising in the $175,000 Carl Erskine Memorial for sophomore trotting colts.
With regular pilot Louis Roy in tow, Nijinsky was sent away as the 1-20 favorite from post three in the field of ten for the evening’s feature. Roy guided the Anthony Beaton trainee into fourth off the gate while Solid Character (Dave Miller) blitzed to the lead through a first quarter of :25.3. Roy’s hand was forced on the backstretch, tipping from fourth before a parked out Stat That (LeWayne Miller) fired three-deep around the bettors’ choice and drove to the front at odds of 93-1 to the half in :54. Left first-over entering the turn, Nijinsky brushed to the lead around the longshot before opening up by 3-1/2 lengths at three-quarters in 1:22.1.
With Roy keeping the pedal down and Stat That faltering in the pocket, the lead expanded to seven lengths midway through the lane for Nijinsky. With his pursuers well back in deep stretch, Nijinsky coasted home a winner by 5-1/4 lengths to stop the clock in 1:48.4. Tellmeitmatters (John De Long) rallied for the place spot, Miki Ray (Pete Wrenn) picked up show dough at 175-1.
The 1:48.4 clocking was just a fifth of a second off the stakes record of 1:48.3, established by Downbytheseaside in 2017 and since matched by Cattlewash (2020) and Bulldog Hanover (2021).
Nijinsky has won 11 of 15 starts this season, banking $1,142,920 on the year for owners West Wins Stable, John Fielding and Mark Dumain. The son of Bettor’s Delight-Pirouette Hanover was bred by Jeffrey Snyder, and continues to add to a three-year-old resume that includes victories in the North America Cup, Simcoe Stakes and Ontario Sire Stakes Super Final.
$190,000 Monument Circle for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings, Coach Stefanos once again delivered a wicked rally to score the mild 7-1 upset. Saddled with the outside post nine, driver Trace Tetrick opted to take back in the early stages into eighth in the field of ten as Admiral Hill and Andy Miller stung Why Not Now and Dexter Dunn to the opening quarter in :27. Why Not Now cleared off the turn and quickly relinquished as David Miller put Stockade Seelster on the engine from fourth on the way to the half in :55. Coach Stefanos and Tetrick could see them all at the three-quarter station from fifth-over in a stalled outside cover-flow as Stockade Seelster led to three-quarters in 1:22.4.
Tetrick uncorked Coach Stefanos to the far outside to begin his furious rally to the front as Stockade Seelster did battle with Why Not Now who took his shot up the passing lane up front. Taking flight with a :25.1 final-quarter, Coach Stefanos thundered home to nail the dueling leaders by a half-length on the wire in 1:49.4. Why Not Now got up for second, with Stockade Seelster finishing third.
Trained by Erv Miller, Coach Stefanos added a seventh win of the season through 15-seasonal outings. Bred by Victory Hill Farm, the son of Tellitlikeitis-Watch N Be Watched vaulted his seasonal earnings over the half-million dollar mark and his career earnings to $747,920 for owners Ken Duffy, D&M Trading Il LLC and John Stefanos.
Less than a week removed from the Breeders Crown at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Harrah’s Hoosier Park played host to Grand Circuit action for the sport’s top sophomores on Friday (Nov. 4), highlighted by the $200,000 Monument Circle, for 3-year-old pacing colts. Making his way back to the States following a third-place effort in the Breeders Crown Final, Bythemissal overcame the outside post nine, a fierce homestretch headwind, and nine of the best sophomore pacers in the game to add yet another trophy to his collection.
Driver Chris Page navigated the outside post from the outset, landing 1-5 favorite Bythemissal in fifth as Birthday and David Miller took the lead through an opening quarter of :26.4. Page gave Bythemissal his cue up the backstretch, sending the Little Brown Jug winner first-over and engaging his Ron Burke stablemate through a :54.2 half. Bythemissal forged clear to the lead entering the far turn, taking the field to three quarters in 1:21.3 before turning for home and bracing for a 20-mile-per-hour headwind in the stretch.
In the lane, Bythemissal felt the pressure of a two-pronged attack as stablemate Birthday rallied up the passing lane and a hard-charging Ponda Warrior (driven by Mark MacDonald) closed from second-over. The trio slugged it out to the finish line, and Bythemissal valiantly fended off his challengers, digging deep in the stretch to score by a half length in 1:49.3 over Birthday and Ponda Warrior, who finished second and third, respectively.
“He’s a horse that just knows how to win,” Page noted, “I got away close enough and I thought the fractions set up pretty well for me to make a move up the backstretch. This horse has never been passed yet in the lane, so I felt pretty confident if I could get him to the lead he would be tough to beat. I hopped on this horse when he was just winning a non-winners of two this spring, it’s been pretty special to go from there to winning the Jug and the Adios. All the credit goes to Ron Burke and the incredible job he’s done keeping this horse so good all year long.”
It was the 13th victory in 16 seasonal starts for the Ron Burke-trained Bythemissal, who is yet to miss the board in his career. Owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC,
The gelded son of 2017 Monument Circle winner Downbytheseaside has banked $1,164,688 on the season, making him the third richest Standardbred of 2022 thus far behind only world champion Bulldog Hanover and North America Cup winner Pebble Beach.
Some of the sport’s brightest stars were back in action at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday, November 5 as they hosted a stakes filled card highlighted by the $220,000 Monument Circle Pace for three-year-old pacing colts. After an eye opening 1:48 score against stakes company on a sloppy rated track last week, Bulldog Hanover turned in another gritty performance to capture the $220,000 Monument Circle Pace. With driver John DeLong in the bike for trainer John Darling, Bulldog Hanover chased down upset minded Gamblin’ Mo and Sam Widger and stop the timer in 1:48.3. The 1:48.3 effort equaled the stakes record for The Monument Circle Pace set by Downbytheseaside and Chris Page in 2017 and equaled in 2020 by World Champion Cattlewash and Dave Miller.
Leaving from post seven in the talented field of nine, Bulldog Hanover settled along the rail in fourth while a host of others left for position. Virgo and Trace Tetrick stepped out of the gate but Gamblin Mo and Sam Widger were a step quicker. Gamblin Mo led the field through first half fractions of :26.2 and :53.4 before being joined by Heart of Chewbacca and Tim Tetrick applying pressure from first-over. DeLong had Bulldog Hanover ready to strike from second-over and Whichwaytothebeach and Andrew McCarthy were following intently from third-over.
As the field reached the three-quarters in 1:21, Gamblin Mo was still calling the shots and appeared up to the task. DeLong tipped Bulldog Hanover went to work. Using a :26.4 Bulldog Hanover was eventually able to wear down Gamblin Mo before opening up by four lengths at the wire. Gamblin Mo held on for second while Whichwaytothebeach rallied for third. As the 2-5 favorite, Bulldog Hanover returned $2.80 to his backers at the betting windows.
“He can be a little bit of a handful,” DeLong noted. “The trip worked out a lot better than I thought it was going to. He was running out in the stretch but we were pacing so fast, I didn’t want to get in his way. He’s a very fast horse and that was a good win for him tonight.”
It was the eighth win of the season from 13 seasonal starts for the son of Shadow Play—Bj’s Squall. Trained by John Darling, Bulldog Hanover now sports a lifetime bankroll of $711,594 for owners John Darling and Bradley Grant. Bulldog Hanover was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms.
World Champion and co-track record holder Cattlewash was back in the Hoosier Park winner’s circle after an authoritative score in the $160,000 Monument Circle Pace for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings. With regular pilot David Miller in the bike, Cattlewash utilized his customary front-running tactics to win by two lengths and stop the timer in 1:48.3.
Tattoo Artist and Joe Bongiorno set the hot early tempo of :25.4 before Miller gave Cattlewash the green light down the backside. Cattlewash rattled off fractions of :54.1 and 1:21.4 before pacing home in :26.4 to get the victory over stablemate Elver Hanover and driver Chris Page. Catch The Fire and Mike Wilder rallied well late to round out the trifecta. Sent off as the 3-5 favorite, Cattlewash returned $3.40 for the victory.
“The trip worked out well for us tonight,” Miller noted in the winner’s circle. “He definitely races his best race on the front—he’s very game on the lead. He got a little bit of a late start this season but he has really come around lately and going two heats in the Jug was the best thing for him. He was as strong tonight as he has been all year.”
Trained by Ron Burke, the son of Somebeachsomewhere—Road Bet was bred and is owned by W J Donovan. Cattlewash has now won 5 of 14 seasonal starts while earning $709,977 lifetime.
One of the biggest upsets of the night came in the very next race on the program as De Los Cielos Deo and Matt Kakaley got up in the final strides of the mile to upset the heavily favored Hickfromfrenchlick in the $225,000 Monument Circle Pace for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings. De Los Cielos Deo stopped the timer in 1:49.2.
With an eight race-win streak on the line, Hickfromfrenchlick went to the front from post eight to dictate fractions of :26.4, :54.3 and 1:22.1 before ever feeling a threat from the rest of the field. De Los Cielos Deo sat patiently in third for much of the mile but was in perfect striking position turning for home. Kakaley tipped De Los Cielos Deo and he found a :26.3 closing kick to track down Hickfromfrenchlick late in the lane. Dealer’s Table and Sam Widger utilized a ground saving trip to round out the trifecta. De Los Cielos Deo returned $10.40 to his backers at the betting windows.
“I was confident coming into tonight,” Kakaley said in the winner’s circle. “He was good last week in the Breeders Crown. He’s been pretty inconsistent but I knew if he showed up tonight he’d be good. I’ve only driven him a couple times but he’s got the speed. The way the trip worked out for him tonight was beautiful.”
With the win, De Los Cielos Deo recorded his second win from 17 outs this season for trainer Ron Burke. The son of Captaintreacherous-Lisjune has now earned $425,080 in lifetime purse earnings and is owned in partnership by Burke Racing Stable, Larry Karr, J&T Silva, Purnel & Libby, and Weaver Bruscemi. De Los Cielos Deo was bred by Louis Willinger and Deo Volente Farms.

crossroads of america

pair of Indiana Sire Stakes champions dueled to the wire in the $131,500 Crossroads of America for three-year-old trotting fillies, with Miracle Maven getting the better of Martz Seven in a tight finish. Miracle Maven and John De Long got away fifth from post eight while Martz Seven (Kyle Wilfong) raced to an early lead with a :27 first quarter. Better Tak’em (Jordan Ross) moved around Martz Seven on the backstretch, getting to the half in :56 before coming under siege from a first-over Divine Things (Trace Tetrick) with Miracle Maven towed into it second-over at three-quarters in 1:26.3. Miracle Maven surged three-deep around the top pair before Martz Seven split horses late to take aim, coming up a neck short as Miracle Maven got to the wire first by a neck in 1:56.1. Classical Jane (Yannick Gingras) joined her winning Henry Graber Jr. trained stablemate on the trifecta ticket, getting up for third at 45-1.
This year’s three-year-old champion in Indiana, Miracle Maven has won four of her last five and seven of 12 on the year for owners Hillside Stables, Indiana Stables, Frank Baldachino and Beasty LLC. Bred by Noah Wickey, the daughter of Don’t Let’em-Bad Babysitter has earned $363,507 in 2025 and vaulted over the half-million-dollar mark in her career following her 12th lifetime victory.
Miller and Burke teamed up to take the filly counterpart as well on the night, taking the $110,000 Crossroads of America for sophomore trotting fillies.
Leaving from the outside post six as the 3-5 favorite, Miller wasted no time getting Sister Mary Maude to the front through an opening quarter of :26.3. With the second-choice, Danger (Robert Taylor), on the Miller helmet, Sister Mary Maude led to the half in :55.2 before beginning to open up at three-quarters in 1:24.4. From there, Sister Mary Maude asserted her dominance in the lane, trotting clear to a four-length victory in 1:53. Danger would dead-heat for the place position with 26-1 shot, Bonn (Jordan Ross).
The New York bred daughter of Crazy Wow-Perfect Mass has won four of 15 on the season, hitting the board in all but one of those efforts for owners Burke Racing Stable, William Switala, James Martin and Weaver Bruscemi. The effort was a career best for Sister Mary Maude who sports seasonal earnings of $376,477 and career earning just shy of a half-million.
Call Me Goo overcame the second-tier to deliver in the $115,000 Crossroads of America for three-year-old trotting fillies at 7-2. Following an early break from Mommamia Volo from the rail, driver Dexter Dunn was able to navigate Call Me Goo into fifth as Mass Hysteria (David Miller) and Helpoftheseason (Peter Wrenn) dueled through an opening quarter of :28. Helpoftheseason cleared on the backstretch but wouldn’t hold the lead for long as Yannick Gingras sent Rose Run Yolanda on her way to the front, taking command to the half in :56.3. Cover came to Call Me Goo and Dunn entering the far turn with Scott Zeron sending 6-5 favorite Tactical Mounds to the outside, driving to the leader’s wheel at three-quarters in 1:25.
Call Me Goo vaulted off of the second-over trip in :28 to get up over a stubborn Tactical Mounds by a length on the line to earn the 1:53.4 victory. Rose Run Yolanda dug in for third to round out the trifecta. Call Me Goo paid $9.80 for the victory.
Trained by Jason Skinner, Call Me Goo picked up her 11th victory in 15 seasonal outings. The daughter of Googoo Gaagaa-Callmeza has earned $277,727 on the season and pushed her career bankroll to over $330,000 for owners Graham Grace Stables LLC.
$110,000 Crossroads of America, the incomparable Indiana champion M-M’s Dream put an exclamation point on a nearly perfect season with a gutsy front-end score. David Miller guided the two-time Indiana Sires Stakes champion into fourth from post seven through the opening panel as Jordan Ross and long shot Jusmakinyalook set a :27.4 opening quarter. Miller mashed the gas pedal up the backstretch, giving M-M’s Dream her marching orders with a bold first-over move to take command at the :56.2 half. The field bunched up on the far turn as M-M’s Dream braced from a challenge from track record holder Cash Infusion (Atlee Bender) at three-quarters in 1:25.
The two fillies engaged in a slugfest down the stretch, with neither filly wanting to give an inch down the lane. M-M’s Dream appeared to be defeated as Cash Infusion put her nose in front, but rallied back through a gutsy :28.3 final quarter to forge back ahead by a neck in 1:53:3. Cash Infusion was valiant in defeat finishing second; Ohio Sires Stakes champion Gabbys C Note (Chris Page) rallied for third.
It was the 12th victory in 13 starts in 2022 for Henry Graber Jr. trainee M-M’s Dream, and her 18th career win in 21 lifetime starts.
Owned by Eleven Star Stables, Hillside Stables and Frank Baldachino, M-M’s Dream has earned $496,550 on the season and has gone over $750,000 in her career. Bred by Mervin Miller, M-M’s Dream is a daughter of Swan For All out of the Classic Photo mare Trading Places.
Wrenn’s second stakes win on the card came a few races later when he steered Pub Crawl to victory in the $105,000 Crossroads of America Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies. Stopping the timer in 1:54, Pub Crawl utilized a :27.4 closing kick to pull the slight 6-1 upset and track down the heavily favored Empressive Hill and Tim Tetrick late in the lane.
Trained by Julie Miller, the daughter of Bar Hopping—Myth recorded her sixth win of the season from 18 starts. Owned by Marvin and Lynn Katz, Al Libfeld and Sam Goldband, Pub Crawl has now amassed $453,295 in purse earnings. Pub Crawl was bred by Fair Winds Farm and Steve Jones.
Takter and Dunn were back in the winner’s circle in the very next stakes race on the program, the $100,000 Crossroads of America for three-year-old trotting fillies after a decisive victory from Spoiled Princess. Sent off as the 6-5 favorite, Spoiled Princess rallied off cover and was able to hold off a late surge from May Baby and James Yoder to get the win by a length and a half in 1:52.2.
“Last week (in the Breeders Crown Final) she lost a bit of her momentum in the last turn,” Takter said. “We made some equipment adjustments this week and she was much better. She’s definitely in great shape and came to me in great shape but she’s been particularly sharp these past couple weeks.”
The daughter of Trixton—Fashion Spooner recorded her sixth win from 14 seasonal starts. Owned by Black Horse Racing and Christina Takter, Spoiled Princess has now amassed $226,136 in lifetime purse earnings.
Trainer Nancy Johannsson teamed up with Yannick Gingras for two winner’s on the evening’s program as the duo first found the winner’s circle with The Ice Dutchess in the $120,000 Crossroads of America. After finishing third in the $500,000 Breeders Crown Final at Woodbine Mohawk Park last week, Gingras guided the post-time favorite to a 1:53 victory over Pure Chance and Trace Tetrick.
Utilizing a final quarter of :27:0, The Ice Dutchess was able to overcome a first-over trip and dug in gamely late in the lane to cross the wire four lengths to the good. The Ice Dutchess returned $4.20 to win for her backers at the betting windows.
The Ice Dutchess has now won 11 of 27 lifetime starts and boasts a lifetime bankroll of $774,029 for owners Coyote Wynd Farms. The daughter of Muscle Hill-The Ice Queen was bred by Stephen Dey and David Reid.

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Trainer Ron Burke came right back with in the next stakes event as Rodeo Drive Deo notched her first win since the Jugette final in September with a brush and crush victory in the $113,750 USS Indianapolis Memorial for sophomore pacing fillies. Driver Dave Miller was able to grab a seat in third with Rodeo Drive Deo from post nine as Fansville (Dexter Dunn) paced around Wunderkindbluechip (Atlee Bender) to reach the quarter first in :26.4. Once clear, Fansville slowed the tempo to the half in :55.3 when Rodeo Drive Deo blasted first-over from third, rocketing to the top and extending a six-length lead as she slammed the accelerator to three-quarters in 1:22.2. The deficit proved too much for her nine foes as Rodeo Drive Deo coasted through the stretch before winning by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:51. 56-1 shot Good As You (Marcus Miller) rallied up the cones to be second, with Baret (Scott Zeron) closing on the outside to be third.
Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Beasty LLC and J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, Rodeo Drive Deo has won seven of 19 this season while racking up $585,445 on the year. The daughter of Captaintreacherous-Miss L A was bred by Deo Volente Farms and Cool Cat Racing and is knocking on the door of $1 million made with $979,245 in career earnings.
Like Miller, Louis Roy tacked on the $100,000 USS Indianapolis Memorial for three-year-old pacing fillies to his haul, scoring with Odds On Platinum.
Leaving from the rail, Roy hustled Odds On Platinum into the first turn, leading to a scorching first-quarter of :25.4 to the inside of Seaside Diva (Chris Page). Seaside Diva crossed over to the lead on the backstretch, leading to the half in :54.3 before being challenged by stablemate Pass Line (Dave Miller) to three-quarters in 1:23.3. Odds On Platinum waited patiently for the passing lane in the stretch before surging to the lead, crossing the wire first by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:51.1. Teelatini (Trace Tetrick) closed from last at the top of the stretch to be second, Lets Go Endofaera (John De Long) navigated stretch traffic to be third.
Dr. Ian Moore trains Odds On Platinum who has won seven of 19 this year, with a bankroll of $548,720 for owners Let It Ride Stables and Odds On Racing. The royally bred daughter of Bettor’s Delight-American Jewel went over $820,000 in career earnings following her ninth lifetime victory.
Strong Poison kicked off the stakes action with a dominant front-end victory in the $105,000 USS Indianapolis Memorial for three-year-old pacing fillies. Starting from post two, driver Yannick Gingras settled Strong Poison into the third position in the early stages as Beach Cowgirl and Brian Sears set the tone early with a :26.4 opening-quarter. Gingras was ill-content to trail any longer as he gave Strong Poison her que from third as the fillies hit the backstretch, quickly clearing to the lead through an opening-half of :55.4. Ron Burke stablemate Southwind Bella and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. applied pressure on the turn, surging first-up to engage the leader at three-quarters in 1:23.4.
In the stretch, Strong Poison abruptly shrugged off the challenge from Southwind Bella, pacing away from the field with a :27 final-quarter to score the nearly three-length victory in 1:50.4. Beach Cowgirl got up for second, with Southwind Bella holding for third. Strong Poison paid $3.40 to win.
Strong Poison notched her fourth victory of the season, banking $407,116 in 2023 and $831,475 in her career for owners Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva Stables, Knox Services and Beasty LLC. Bred by Steve Stewart along with Charles and Julie Nash, Strong Poison is a daughter of Always B Miki out of the Rocknroll Hanover mare, Fiyonce.
A compact but talented field of seven 3-year-old pacing fillies headlined the $100,000 USS Indianapolis Memorial, where Sea Silk posted a dominant score and gave Page a sweep of the sophomore pacing stakes. Taking advantage of her inside position, Sea Silk landed into the pocket as John DeLong sent Patsville to the front through a :26.4 opening quarter. Patsville remained unchallenged on the lead through a :55 half before leading the field onto the far turn and to three-quarters in 1:23 with Sea Silk looming on her back.
In the stretch, Sea Silk launched her bid from the pocket, quickly engaging the leader before powering two lengths clear with a :27.2 final quarter into the wind to score in 1:50:3. Patsville held for the second position, with Sea Silk’s fellow Ron Burke stablemate Galleria Hanover (Yannick Gingras) nabbing the show spot.
It was the eighth win on the season for the two-time Ohio Sires Stakes Champion and millionaire daughter of Downbytheseaside. Owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Knox Services Inc. and Hatfield Stables, Sea Silk is a winner of 17 of 25 lifetime starts and rapidly approaching her second consecutive half-million dollar season with $476,975 earned in 2022. Sea Silk was bred by Steiner Stock Farm of Ohio and is out of the Bettor’s Delight mare Silk Purse.
On the pacing filly side of the stakes action, Blue Diamond Eyes and driver Yannick Gingras pulled a slight upset of their own to capture the $120,000 USS Indianapolis for three-year-old pacing fillies. Gingras was able to work out a second-over trip and Blue Diamond Eyes used a :26.3 closing kick to track down the heavily favored and pace-setting Hot Mess Express in a stakes record 1:49:0. Kobe’s Gigi and Peter Wrenn rallied well to finish second at double digit odds and Oakwoodanabella IR and David Miller were third.
“She’s a super nice filly who has been racing tough all year,” Gingras said of his mount. “I thought she raced really well last week and knew she would be good if we could get a few things to go our way tonight. We were able to get a second-over trip she showed up tonight.”
Trained by Ron Burke, Blue Diamond Eyes recorded her sixth win of the season from 18 starts. The daughter of Captaintreacherous—Aria Hanover is owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon and has now earned $1,118,464. Blue Diamond Eyes was bred by Brittany Farms.
Just one week after hosting the 37th edition of the Breeders Crown, Grand Circuit racing action was back in the spotlight at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, November 6 as some of the sport’s brightest stars ventured back to Hoosier Park for the final night of Grand Circuit racing this season. The evening’s 13-race card was highlighted by the $160,000 Monument Circle Pace for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings, the $140,000 Carl Erskine Trot for three-year-old colt trotters, the $100,000 Crossroads of America for three-year-old filly trotters and the $100,000 USS Indianapolis Memorial for three-year-old pacing fillies.
Trainer Nancy Takter teamed up with driver Dexter Dunn to capture two winners on the evening’s program as the duo first found the winner’s circle with JK First Lady in the $100,000 USS Indianapolis Memorial. JK First Lady was able to overcome a first-over trip to wear down her stablemate and the heavily favored Breeders Crown champion Peaky Sneaky and Yannick Gingras to get the victory in 1:49.1. The 1:49.1 victory equaled her lifetime mark.
“She has such a beautiful gait, she makes it look easy,” Takter noted of her filly. “She’s definitely fresh which helps a lot at this point in the season.”
JK First Lady has now won five of 13 outs this season while pushing her lifetime bankroll to $695,731. The homebred daughter of Western Ideal—Jk She’salady is owned by the 3 Brothers Stables.
Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly Sunny Dee made her Harrah’s Hoosier Park debut a winning one after she went gate to wire in The $100,000 USS Indianapolis Memorial. The Canadian homebred bested her competition in 1:52 with driver Tim Tetrick in the bike for trainer Robert McIntosh.
Sunny Dee made her game winning move down the backside and was able to hold off a hard charging JK American Beauty and Brett Miller late in the lane to get the win and deliver as the post-time favorite. Fully A Virgin and Michael Oosting also rallied well late for third.
With the win, the daughter of Sunshine Beach-West of LA, now sports a lifetime bankroll of $436,595 having won 13 of 22 starts. The filly is owned by and was bred by Robert McIntosh Stables, C S X Stables and Al McIntosh holdings.

Stakes Name	Replay	Year	Division	Track	Purse	Winner	Driver	Trainer	Time
Carl Erskine	📽️	2025	3CT	Hoosier	$185,000	ON TO NORWAY	John De Long	Ron Burke	1:53.4
Carl Erskine	📽️	2024	3CT	Hoosier	$175,000	T C I	David Miller	Ron Burke	1:52.4
Carl Erskine	📽️	2023	3CT	Hoosier	$205,000	TACTICAL APPROACH	Scott Zeron	Nancy Takter	1:52.1
Carl Erskine	📽️	2022	3CT	Hoosier	$200,000	KING OF THE NORTH	Mark MacDonald	Ray Schnittker	1:52.2
Carl Erskine	📽️	2021	3CT	Hoosier	$165,000	SWINGFORTHEFENCES	Peter Wrenn	Melanie Wrenn	1:53.3
Carl Erskine	📽️	2020	3CT	Hoosier	$140,000	PLAY TRIX ON ME	Joe Bongiorno	Linda Toscano	1:53.0
Carl Erskine	📽️	2019	3CT	Hoosier	$220,000	DON'T LET'EM	Yannick Gingras	Nancy Takter	1:51.4
Carl Erskine		2018	3CT	Hoosier	$256,000	MET'S HALL	Andy Miller	Julie Miller	1:53.2
Carl Erskine		2017	3CT	Hoosier	$235,000	INTERNATIONAL MONI	Scott Zeron	Frank Antonacci	1:53.0
Carl Erskine		2016	3CT	Hoosier	$220,000	BAR HOPPING	Tim Tetrick	Jimmy Takter	1:53.4
Carl Erskine		2015	3CT	Hoosier	$270,000	CRAZY WOW	Tim Tetrick	Ron Burke	1:54.0
Carl Erskine		2014	3CT	Hoosier	$230,000	E L TITAN	Ron Pierce	Riina Rekila	1:57.2
Carl Erskine		2013	3CT	Hoosier	$286,500	CREATINE	Mike Lachance	Bob Stewart	1:54.3
Carl Erskine		2012	3CT	Indianapolis	$260,500	UPFRONT BILLY	Trace Tetrick	William Zendt	1:55.0
Carl Erskine		2011	3CT	Indianapolis	$231,500	MR WEB PAGE	Dan Shetler	Dan Shetler	1:55.2
Carl Erskine		2010	3CT	Indianapolis	$200,000	POWERFUL SPEED	Josh Sutton	Thomas Graham Jr	1:55.4
Carl Erskine		2009	3CT	Indianapolis	$55,000	WINNING MISTER	Dave Palone	Rich Gillock	1:54.3
Carl Erskine		2009	3CT	Indianapolis	$55,000	PETER LUGAR	Peter Wrenn	Trond Smedshammer	1:55.2
Crossroads Of America	📽️	2025	3FT	Hoosier	$131,500	Miracle Maven	John DeLong		1:56.1
Crossroads Of America	📽️	1905	3FT	Hoosier	$110,000	Sister Mary Maude	David Miller	Ron Burke	1:53.0
Crossroads Of America	📽️	1905	3FT	Hoosier	$115,000	Call Me Goo	Dexter Dunner	Jason Skinner	1:53.4
Crossroads Of America	📽️	1905	3FT	Hoosier	$110,000	M-M's Dream	David Miller	Henry Graber, Jr	1:53.3
Crossroads Of America	📽️	1905	3FT	Hoosier	$105,000	Pub Crawl	Peter Wrenn	Julie Miller	1:54.0
Crossroads Of America	📽️	1905	3FT	Hoosier	$120,000	The Ice Dutchess	Yannick Gingras	Nancy Takter	1:53.0
Monument Circle	📽️	2025	3CP	Hoosier	$172,500	CAPTAIN OPTIMISTIC	Scott Zeron	Nancy Takter	1:49.4
Monument Circle	📽️	2024	3CP	Hoosier	$180,000	NIJINSKY	Louis Roy	Anthony Beaton	1:48.4
Monument Circle	📽️	2023	3CP	Hoosier	$190,000	COACH STEFANOS	Trace Tetrick	Erv Miller	1:49.4
Monument Circle	📽️	2022	3CP	Hoosier	$200,000	BYTHEMISSAL	Chris Page	Ron Burke	1:49.3
Monument Circle	📽️	2021	3CP	Hoosier	$220,000	BULLDOG HANOVER	John De Long	John Darling	1:48.3
Monument Circle	📽️	2020	3CP	Hoosier	$160,000	CATTLEWASH	David Miller	Ron Burke	1:48.3
Monument Circle	📽️	2019	3CP	Hoosier	$225,000	DE LOS CIELOS DEO	Matt Kakaley	Ron Burke	1:49.2
Monument Circle		2018	3CP	Hoosier	$190,000	ALWAYS A PRINCE	Trace Tetrick	Tyler George	1:49.1
Monument Circle		2017	3CP	Hoosier	$245,000	DOWNBYTHESEASIDE	Chris Page	Brian Brown	1:48.3
Monument Circle		2016	3CP	Hoosier	$200,000	CHECK SIX	Yannick Gingras	Ron Burke	1:51.0
Monument Circle		2015	3CP	Hoosier	$285,500	FREAKY FEET PETE	Trace Tetrick	Larry Rheinheimer	1:49.3
Monument Circle		2014	3CP	Hoosier	$275,000	ALWAYS B MIKI	David Miller	Joe Holloway	1:52.0
Monument Circle		2013	3CP	Hoosier	$252,000	DEDI'S DRAGON	Yannick Gingras	Ron Burke	1:50.4
Monument Circle		2012	3CP	Indianapolis	$250,000	BETTOR'S EDGE	David Miller	Linda Toscano	1:49.3
Monument Circle		2011	3CP	Indianapolis	$275,500	HUGADRAGON	Yannick Gingras	Ron Burke	1:50.4
Monument Circle		2010	3CP	Indianapolis	$250,000	ALLTHATGLTRSISGOLD	Dan Shetler	Bobby Brower	1:52.3
Monument Circle		2008	3CP	Indianapolis	$150,000	ART OFFICIAL	Ron Pierce	Joe Seekman	1:49.4
USS Indianapolis	📽️	1905	3FP	Hoosier	$113,750	Rodeo Driver Deo	David Miller		1:51.0
USS Indianapolis	📽️	1905	3FP	Hoosier	$100,000	Odds On Platinum	Louis Roy		1:51.1
USS Indianapolis	📽️	1905	3FP	Hoosier	$105,000	Strong Poison	Yannick Gingras	Ron Burke	1:50.4
USS Indianapolis	📽️	1905	3FP	Hoosier	$100,000	Sea Silk	Chris Page	Ron Burke	1:50.3
USS Indianapolis	📽️	1905	3FP	Hoosier	$120,000	Blue Diamond Eyes	Yannick Gingras	Ron Burke	1:49.0
USS Indianapolis	📽️	1905	3FP	Hoosier	$100,000	JK First Lady	Dexter Dunn	Nancy Takter	1:49.1
USS Indianapolis	📽️	1905	3FP	Hoosier	$100,000	Sunny Dee	Tim Tetrick	Robert McIntosh	1:52.0

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