After a few days of rain, Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s track surface was ready to go on Saturday, May 28 as the evening’s 14-race card was highlighted by the first track record performance of the season in the featured event. Whata Swan, with driver Trace Tetrick in the sulky, became Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s newest track record holder with an impressive 1:50.3 performance in the $22,000 Open Trot.
Using an impressive :27 closing kick, Whata Swan kept all challengers at bay and trotted strong to the wire to get the win by nearly three lengths. The 1:50.3 clocking marks the fastest trotting mile ever over Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s oval, re-establishing the overall trotting track record, a mark that was previously held by Lindy The Great with a 1:51.1 mile set in the 2019 edition of the Caesars Trotting Classic.
Leaving from post five in an abbreviated field of six, Whata Swan was sent away from the gate firing to reach the front through the opening quarter in :27.2. I Know My Chip and Brandon Bates were content with a pocket trip while Timon As and Peter Wrenn were next in line third. Whata Swan clicked off fractions of :55.2 and 1:23.3 before ever feeling a threat from the rest of the field.
As the field turned for home, Rick Plano had the post time favourite Flagman ready to strike from first-over. Flagman turned in a strong bid but Whata Swan would not be denied. Tetrick asked Whata Swan for more and he found another gear to get the win. Flagman was forced to settle for second place honours while Its A Herbie and Verlin Yoder rallied well for third. A
s the second betting choice, Whata Swan returned $4.80 for the win at the betting windows.
Whata Swan is trained by Luis Quevedo and owned by John Barnard. The veteran trotter has now amassed $529,193 in lifetime purse earnings while recording his 34th lifetime victory from 105 trips behind the gate. For the season, the son of Swan For All-Tanyas Legacy has now won four of seven starts while banking $57,640 in purse earnings. Whata Swan was bred by Leonard J. Miller.
Live racing will continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino with a special holiday card of live racing on Monday, May 30. With a post time of 6:15 pm, the evening’s 13-race card will be highlighted by the kickoff of the 2022 Indiana Sires Stakes season for the three-year-old competitors. Ten of the 13 races on the evening’s card are divisions of Indiana Sires Stakes.
The Memorial Day card of live racing will pay special tribute to America’s armed forces with a variety of activities honouring and highlighting active military members and veterans. Veterans will receive a 15 per cent dining discount at all Harrah’s Hoosier Park dining outlets and receive special recognition in the winner’s circle.
Family Fun activities will also highlight the day with activities like a petting zoo from 5-9 p.m. in the front paddock, food trucks, face painting and more. Additionally, the Harness Horse Youth Foundation will be on hand to provide educational information and fun for all guests.
In partnership with the Indiana Standardbred Association, Harrah’s Hoosier Park will host a special handicapping contest with $1,000 in prize money on the line. The Beat The Voice handicapping contest will challenge participants to out handicap Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s track announcer Michael Chamberlain in Races 3-8.
(With files from Harrah's Hoosier Park)