The second annual Charity Chariots, featuring Hoosier Park Racing & Casino’s Fab Five and Challenger Peter Wrenn, got underway Saturday, June 19.

The event raises money for the drivers’ selected charities while offering race fans a unique opportunity to sit behind a racehorse around Hoosier Park’s seven-eighths mile oval.

For a $20 fee, racing fans age 12 and over can sign up to ride with their favorite Fab Five driver or Wrenn. All proceeds from the event will go directly to charity. Rides will continue through the remaining three Saturdays during the 2010 harness racing season. Guest riders under the age of 18 must be accompanied to the event by a parent or guardian and must have a waiver signed by the adult to ride with the drivers. The event is held weather permitting and some restrictions apply.

The next round of Charity Chariots is scheduled for Saturday, June 26, which is tagged as Thrillyard 200 featuring the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational Pace.

Presented by the membership of the Indiana Standardbred Association, Thrillyard 200 gets underway with numerous events trackside, including a rock wall climbing exhibit, paintball challenge, bungee trampoline, and live entertainment. Also, a BBQ contest will take place with the Fab Five and Wrenn judging the contest. The winner will receive $1,000 toward their organization.

Thrillyard 200 will begin with Charity Chariots when registration opens at 3:45 p.m. Rides around the track will be conducted from 4 to 5 p.m. followed by the first race of the evening at 5:30 p.m.

A total of 18 people took advantage of Charity Chariots during the first round of the fundraiser Saturday, June 19. Money raised for the charities and drivers includes Ricky Macomber, Indiana School for the Deaf, Mike Peterson, Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Trace Tetrick, DARE, Jason Dillander, American Cancer Society, Joe Putnam, Outfitter’s Inc., and Wrenn’s efforts for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The drivers have participated in several events thus far during the 2010 harness racing season and have already brought in more than $6,000 for the charities.

Five of the six horses used for Charity Chariots are currently racing in Indiana. The horses and their respective trainers include Taco Chip (Rick Redder), Leons Gambit (Jarrod Duncan), Shannons Boy Scout (Tom Hall), West Edge Lonesome (Randy Hatton), Parklane Sue (Jordan Frye), and Harvy (Mike Peterson.)

Leons Gambit, the veteran of the field, has earned more than $200,000 and has a record of 1:50.1. Owned by Ervin Wickey and Duncan, the nine-year-old has 20 career wins and was guided around the track for rides by Dillander.

For more information on Charity Chariots or to participate in the event, contact Tammy Knox at (765) 609-4618 or by e-mail at [email protected].

(Hoosier Park)