On the heels of a 27 per cent increase in year-to-date handle, Hoosier Park will offer arguably the best 14-race card in its 20-year history on Friday, November 1.

Hoosier Park will play host to Grand Circuit racing action for the third time this season and welcome the top rated horses in North America as they convene on the seven-eighths mile oval in search of the lucrative purses offered on the 14-race card beginning at 5:30 p.m. For the first time in its 20-year history, Hoosier Park will host a standout card that includes the $286,500 Carl Erskine, the $250,000 Monument Circle and the $223,500 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby.

Fresh off his victory in the Breeders Crown final on October 19, the defending Pacer of the Year, Captaintreacherous will once again make his way to Hoosier Park to compete in Friday night's $250,000 Monument Circle stake for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers. The biggest star in harness racing will put his six-race win streak on the line as faces nine other rivals and starts from post two for trainer Tony Alagna and driver Tim Tetrick.

Older pacers will also be in the spotlight at Hoosier Park on Friday as a field of ten will be sent postward in the $223,500 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby. In what may be the most talented field ever assembled, the field boasts combined career purse earnings over $16 million and includes three World Champions.

Heading the list of entrants in the $223,500 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby is the richest pacer in the history of the sport, Foiled Again who will start from post six for Hoosier Park’s leading trainer, Ron Burke. Joining him is multiple World Champion, Pet Rock who will start from post three for trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr. The field also includes World Champion, Bolt The Duer who will look to make it back to back wins at Hoosier Park from post two after scoring in the 2013 Dan Patch Invitational Pace earlier in the season.

The $286,500 Carl Erskine trot will be highlighted by the 2013 Breeders Crown Champion Spider Blue Chip who will start from the coveted rail position for driver Ron Pierce. Creatine, the 2013 Kentucky Futurity Champion, will look to make amends for a second-place finish in the Breeders Crown Final and start from post two in the ten-horse field for trainer Bob Stewart.

“I am overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of exceptional horses that are coming to Hoosier Park,” Hoosier Park’s Vice President and General Manager or Racing, Rick Moore noted. “This is unequivocally the best harness racing card to ever take place at Hoosier Park and we couldn’t be more excited to offer this opportunity to racing fans across the country.”

Racing fans will have the chance, once again, to participate in a special wagering opportunity offered for the 14-race card on Friday, November 1. A $15,000 guaranteed pick-4 pool will be available as part of the Strategic Wagering Program through the cooperative efforts of the United States Trotting Association, Hoosier Park, and the Indiana Standardbred Association.

The Pick-4, which offers a 50-cent minimum wager, will begin in the eighth race and will continue through the eleventh race. Approximate post time for the first leg of the wager, the eighth race, is 8:20 p.m. (est.). Free past performances for the Pick 4 races will be available on the USTA website. Expert selections and handicapping tools are also available on Hoosier Park’s website.

Live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will follow a Tuesday-Saturday schedule with a daily post time of 5:30 p.m. The 160-day, all harness racing meet began on April 2 and will be conducted through November 9.

(Hoosier Park)