Michigan Sires Stakes Program on Hazel Card

The Sept. 27 race card at Hazel Park Raceway near Detroit, Mich., features six stakes worth $50,000 apiece for horses eligible for the Michigan Sires Stakes program.



Three trainers condition 23 of the 47 horses entered in the stakes—Robert Gorham (11), R. D. Allen Sr. (7), and Shane Spiess (5)—that are part of a nine-race night card that includes two claiming races and one race for Arabians.



The six races consist of respective male and female divisions for 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, and older horses. The Sires Stakes for 3-year-olds and up drew the largest number of entries, with 11, including a three-ply entry from Gorham. The 1 1/8-mile test is limited to 10 starters, so Mr. Skye Dancer is on the also-eligible list. All carry 122 pounds.



Gorham-trained Meadow Wise tops the older male division that he won in 2010 when the Michigan Sires Stakes program was conducted at Pinnacle Race Course. An 8-year-old, Michigan-bred gelding, Meadow Wise has won or placed in 20 of 49 starts, with earnings of $212,251.



Gorham's Im Just Good, a 4-year-old who finished second in the 3-year-old division last year and was third in the juvenile division in 2012, is also entered.



Veteran Michigan-based rider T. D.  Houghton, who has more than 5,000 wins to his credit and recently returned to the saddle following a racing-related injury last March, will ride Indiana-bred and Michigan-sired Thats Mybuddy Boy for Gorham in the older division.