Share this article

POST AUTHOR | POST PUBLISH DATE

Timber Man prevails between horses

Photo by Dean Gillette


Timber Man and John DeLong fought off a late charge by Assistant Coach and Atlee Bender to score the victory in the $11,000 conditioned pace Friday, June 5 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The sophomore gelding picked up the victory in 1:53.1, a new career best.

 

Timber Man began from post three and was able to get a spot up close early on as Darknstormy Deo and LeWayne Miller passed them up heading to the top spot before the quarter in :27.2. Timber Man was back out and rolling, taking over the top spot by the half in :56.3. From there, he was dominant on the front end, keeping open lengths ahead of himself and the remainder of the field.

 

In the stretch, Timber Man had moved ahead by three lengths as Assistant Coach came into the picture. He was rolling quickly up the inside toward Timber Man but his efforts were just a few inches too short at the wire with Timber Man winning by a head over Assistant Coach, the younger full brother to Coach Stefanos. Darknstormy Deo was on the outside to finish less than a length back in third in the three-horse photo.

 

Timber Man paid $11.40 for the win. The three-year-old son of Rockin Image is owned by Russ Beeman and Jack Freeman, the same ownership behind Indiana standout Little Rocket Man. Ken Rucker trains the gelding, who was bred and raised by Black Creek Farm.

 

Timber Man picked up his first win of 2026 with the effort, which was his quickest win to date. Overall, it was his second career win after one victory last year in limited starts. The gelding was purchased out of the final Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale by Freeman and Beeman for $30,000 under the name Rockin Herma. A name change to Timber Man placed him in the Rucker barn. His second dam is the mother of Odds on Equuleus, who took a mark of 1:47.3 and earned nearly $1 million before becoming a sire in Indiana, including his son Odds on Mr Mamba.

 

Earlier in the night, Golden Bay N and Trace Tetrick turned in a gate to wire effort to win the evening’s featured $22,000 Open Pace. M-Ms Bud and John DeLong finished a little more than three lengths back in second followed by Coach Stefanos and Marcus Miller for third.

 

Golden Bay N paid $3.80 for the win, his third in eight starts this year. The seven-year-old import from New Zealand is a son of Downbytheseaside and is owned by Castaldo Racing Stable and T G Stable, LLC. He earned 14 wins last year for the George barn and now has 18 in the U.S. with 24 career wins to his credit. Earnings are now over $250,000 for the veteran pacer.

 


Recent Posts

By Tammy Knox September 4, 2026
In-Law offers 33 yearlings in sale
By Tammy Knox September 4, 2026
Indiana filly scores first win
By Tammy Knox September 3, 2026
First career win for Broadway Tempo
By Tammy Knox September 2, 2026
Freshman filly earns new mark
By Tammy Knox September 1, 2026
Indiana trotter earns new lifetime mark
By Tammy Knox August 31, 2026
Indiana pacer scores series win in 1:48.3
By Tammy Knox August 30, 2026
Photo of Lyin' Eyes and Joey Putnam by Dean Gillette Lyin’ Eyes and Joey Putnam were the only ones to dip below the 1:50 time barrier Saturday, August 29 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The duo scored the win in the $22,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace, earning a new lifetime mark in the process. Lyin’ Eyes began from post one and used that to her advantage when the gate opened for the race. She had just enough early speed to slide in behind Yankee B Something and Geremy Bobbitt, who passed by the quarter in :26.2. Lyin’ Eyes out and moving to the front, settling in before the half in :54.4. This spurred an outer flow to form led by Adashious Hanover and Trace Tetrick. At the head of the lane, Lyin’ Eyes was battling with Adashious Hanover on the outside with Yankee B Something had room to move up the inside. But Lyin’ Eyes kept on task, rallying all the way to the wire for the win in 1:49.4, a final quarter paced in :26.4. Reason to Shine A and LeWayne Miller closed in for second over Naked on a Hill and Brandon Bates for third. Lyin’ Eyes paid $9.40 for the win. The five-year-old daughter of Odds on Equuleus is owned by JP Racing, Joey Putnam, and Crazy Parrot Farm. Joe Putnam handles the training of the mare who originated from Silver Linden Farms. Lyin’ Eyes earned her second win of 2026 and her 11 th overall. She increased her career bankroll to more than $526,000 with the win. She has spent her entire career with the Putnam barn, a $21,000 purchase from the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale. Her second dam is a big producer, including Martini Hanover (1:49.0, $487,000). Lyin’ Eyes dam, Miswave Hanover, is a 100 percent producer with three winners from three foals of racing age, including three-year-old Change of Order (1:53.0, $39,000) and Table for Four (1:54.0, $23,000). The night at Harrah’s Hoosier Park was filled with all types of activities, including the second annual Lowrider 500 featuring Weiner Dog racing. Fans surrounded the front paddock as preliminary rounds were held to determine the final field for the main event on the racetrack. Skinny Lenny was the overall winner followed by Archie and Ellie. The Saturday card also included not one but two dead-heats on the night. Wild Rosa (Brandon Bates) and Prtynproud Hanover (Trace Tetrick) hit the wire together in the $12,000 conditioned pace in 1:50.3. A few races later, Woodmere Harriet (Todd Warren) and Schnapps (Anthony Miller) also could not be separated at the wire for the dead heat win in 1:54.0 in the conditioned pace.
By Tammy Knox August 29, 2026
Freaky Lover and Anthony Miller grab another win on Friday's program
By Tammy Knox August 28, 2026
Ponda Perfect continues to improve during sophomore season
By Tammy Knox August 27, 2026
Skyway Mis America earns new career best time with latest win.
Show More