After sitting well off a hot early tempo, Rip Wheeler and driver Brandon Bates tipped wide for the drive in the lane and steamrolled to score in the $31,429 Open Handicap Pace, which highlighted the 14-race Thursday, Oct. 8 program at Harrah's Hoosier Park.
Leaving from post three in the field of six, Rip Wheeler took back to fifth off the wings while Tellmeaboutit (Marcus Miller) and Golden Bay N (Trace Tetrick) dropped the gloves early to the opening quarter in :25.4. Golden Bay N crossed over in front of Tellmeaboutit on the backstretch, pacing to the halfway station in :54.3 as the 3-5 favourite. Golden Bay N remained in charge to three-quarters in 1:23.3 while Tellmeaboutit took to the outside from second and Rip Wheeler geared up his three-wide rally from the backfield.
Golden Bay N began to sputter as the pacers turned for home, with Tellmeaboutit inheriting a short-lived lead under fire from Horn Player Lou A (LeWayne Miller) and Rip Wheeler on the grandstand side. Despite drifting out in the stretch, Rip Wheeler uncorked a vicious :25.4 late rally to get the better of Horn Player Lou A late and score by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:50.2. Combustion (Kyle Wilfong) navigated traffic late to rally from the backfield and snag the show spot.
Trained by Walter Haynes Jr., Rip Wheeler has won three of his last four starts and eight of 23 on the season. The seven-year-old Rockin Image-Novascotia Hanover gelding is owned by Fought Racing, Brian Carsey, David Fought and Lili Haynes. Rip Wheeler has now earned $760,468 and won 37 of 118 starts. He paid $11.80 for the victory.
Racing continues at Hoosier Park on Friday, Oct. 9 with Hoosier Champions Night. The 15-race program gets underway at 5:30 p.m. and has more than $2.4 million USD in purses on the line, headlined by the eight $250,000 USD Indiana Sire Stakes Super Finals for two- and three-year-olds in Races 6-13.
There will be $65,000 in guaranteed pools on Friday, with $10,000 guarantees in the Early Pick 5 (Races 1-5), Early Pick 4 (Races 2-5), Mid-Card Pick 4 (Races 6-9), Late Pick 5 (Races 8-12) and Late High 5 (Race 15), to go along with a $20,000 guaranteed Late Pick 4 (Races 12-15). Free online programs for the Hoosier Champions card are available on the Hoosier Park website.
For those attending in person, guests can take part in the final Friday Night Fling toss after Race 2, with signups beginning at 5 p.m. near the winner's circle. The $20,000 USD cash drawing for the Friday Night Fling will take place after Race 10.
Guests may also get the opportunity to meet some of the top breeders in the Indiana program beginning at 5 p.m. on the track apron. Dr. Alan White, Daryl Miller of Bluebird Meadows, Aaron Bennett — the breeder of On To Norway — and Jamie Macomber of the Midwest Standardbred Horse Sale will be available for a meet and greet open to the public.
(Hoosier Park)