After an impressive victory earlier this season in Hoosier Park’s signature event, the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational, Bolt the Duer will return to Hoosier Park once again with an eagerness to defend his Hoosier Park winning streak.

The four-year-old son of Ponder will get the opportunity to visit Hoosier Park’s winner’s circle once more on Friday, November 1 as he faces nine other rivals in the $223,500 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby. Mark MacDonald has been enlisted to drive the Peter Foley trainee and has been tabbed 5-1 on the morning line.

Last year, Bolt The Duer became the fastest horse in history on a five-eighths-mile track with a 1:47.4 world record in the $500,000 Adios final at The Meadows. He also won the $250,000 Kentucky Sires Stakes final at The Red Mile in 1:48.2, the $415,820 Messenger Stakes at Yonkers in 1:51.2, and capped his sophomore season with a 1:51 triumph in the $130,000 Cleveland Classic at Northfield Park.

"He has really stepped up this year," MacDonald noted of his mount. "He is a very handy horse to drive that can race from anywhere. He can go a quarter in 25 seconds and then back it down to 31 seconds, so I like my chances."

While looking to score the fifth win of his 2013 campaign, Bolt The Duer ships to Hoosier Park after a fifth place finish in the $500,000 Breeders Crown Open Pace on October 19. Bolt The Duer will start from post two in the 10-horse field and will be joined by some of the top rated horses in North America.

The 2013 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby field boasts career purse earnings over $16 million combined and includes six millionaires, six World Champions and multiple world record holders.

Joining the stellar cast of entrants is Foiled Again, harness racing’s richest horse, who will look to score his third win in this event for trainer Ron Burke. Foiled Again and Yannick Gingras were victorious in the 2011 and 2012 edition of the race, formerly called the Indiana Pacing Derby, and setting the track record at Indiana Downs with a 1:49.1 performance last year. Enlisted as the morning line favourite at 2-1, Foiled Again will start from post six with Yannick Gingras in the bike.

Following is the Hoosier Park Pacing Derby field in post position order with listed drivers and trainers: 1. Foreclosure N, Brett Miller, Ron Burke; 2. Bolt The Duer, Mark MacDonald, Pete Foley; 3. Pet Rock, David Miller, Virgil Morgan, Jr.; 4. Time To Roll, Marcus Miller, Tom Simmons; 5. Our Lucky Chip, Trace Tetrick, Jason Miller; 6. Foiled Again, Yannick Gingras, Burke; 7. Dynamic Youth, Andrew McCarthy, Aaron Lambert; 8. Warrawee Needy, Tim Tetrick, Mark Ford; 9. Golden Receiver, Corey Callahan, Mark Harder; 10. Sweet Lou, Ricky Macomber, Jr., Burke.

“I think this is the best field of horses ever assembled in Indiana harness racing history,” Hoosier Park’s Racing Secretary, Scott Peine noted. “Given the success of our 2013 meet, Friday’s entire card is great way to celebrate the progress that Hoosier Park has made over the years and its commitment to the sport of harness racing.”

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. The 14-race card will offer purses over the million dollar mark for the fourth time this season and begin at its’ regularly schedule post time of 5:30 p.m.

(Hoosier)