Photo by Dean Gillette

Ponda Swan and Marcus Miller turned in a strong final quarter for their first win of 2026 in $10,000 conditioned claiming event Thursday, May 14 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The Indiana gelding rallied home in :27.3 to score the win at the wire in 1:56.2.

Ponda Swan began from post seven and came out of the gate seeking a spot near the front end. However, a slew of horses to his inside had the same idea so he was able to back off the early pace setters and got away in fifth as Dejoma and Trace Tetrick were the first leaders at the quarter in :27.3, quickly taken over by race favorite Surf Scoter and Kiwon Waldron.

Heading to the half, Ponda Swan was flushed out and he began to go to work past the half in :57.1. He inched up along the outside of Surf Scoter and was head and head with him at the top of the lane. Ponda Swan swung one more lane out and trotted home to get the win by a neck over Dejoma on the inside. Swan man and Atlee Bender rallied up late for third.

Ponda Swan paid $13.20 for the win. He is owned by William Hartt of Maine and trained by Ryan Bellamy. Fashion Hill Farm and Pond-A-Acres teamed up as the breeder on the trotter. He was initially purchased out of the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale for $23,000 as the second foal of Chelseas Chance, a winner in 1:55.3 with more than $300,000 on his card. He was unraced at two and won six races last year. He was acquired by his current connections last August.

It was the second win of the night for trainer Ryan Bellamy. He also kicked off the night in the $10,000 - $15,000 claimer with a win from Renegade Gypsy, driven by John DeLong. Bluebird Deacon and Trace Tetrick finished second over Latin Lover and Kyle Wilfong.