“Slick Rick” Macomber slid on by his opponents in the final strides of the second annual Hoosierdega Champion Cup Saturday, April 16, earning the top prize of $2,000 for his charity, the Indiana School for the Deaf
. A total of $5,000 was distributed over the race that included all nine drivers in the seven-eighths mile dash.
Macomber found a spot early with Annie Your Cool, sitting in fourth place during the early stages of the race. Peter Wrenn, representing St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, was the early leader with Scandalous followed closely by Brandon Bates, who was racing for his charity, Second Harvest Food Bank, behind Baby Bug Cary.
Wrenn continued to lead the way around the final turn before Trace Tetrick and Bluebird Corvette began to challenge on the outside, giving hope for the top charitable prize for D.A.R.E. Tetrick grabbed a short lead only find a new challenger on the outside as Mike “Mo Pete” Peterson and Dontmakemelaugh began to give a the leaders some competition. Both horses were soon under attack from Annie Your Cool, who was sweeping to the outside for Macomber and gaining quickly.
In the final strides, a fierce battle was underway for the top spot, but Annie Your Cool was finishing the strongest, earning the win by three-quarters of a length in a time of 1:44.2. Bluebird Corvette and Tetrick were second, picking up $1,000 for D.A.R.E. Dontmakemelaugh and Peterson finished third, earning $750 for Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
The Hoosierdega Champion Cup was a pari-mutuel event, returning $27.40 to win for the backers of Annie Your Cool. People who wagered on Bluebird Corvette to place got back $28.80.
All nine drivers involved in the Fab Five promotion stayed for the presentation of the Hoosierdega Champion Cup to Macomber in the winner’s circle. The oversized trophy, standing three feet high, was presented by Jeff Smith, general manager of racing. The drivers then celebrated the win by spraying imitation champagne and throwing t-shirts to the crowd.
Also involved in the Hoosierdega Champion Cup race were Joe Putnam, who earned $500 for Outfitters, Inc., Wrenn, picking up $250 for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and Bates earning $200 for Second Harvest Food Bank. Josh Sutton, representing the Animal Protection League, Trent Stohler, representing St. John’s Children’s Clinic, and Jason Dillander, representing the American Cancer Society, all raised $100 each for their charities.
“It feels fantastic for our driver (Mike Peterson) to earn some money for Shriner’s Hospital,” said Gary Dalzell, president of the Madison County Shrine Club. “It’s great that all drivers earned something for their charities tonight. We really put this money to good use. In fact, we are driving down to Cincinnati next week to present Shriner’s Hospital with a check from our local chapter that includes the money that Mike raised last year. These funds then come back and help us transport our local children to the Chicago Shriner’s Hospital for treatment.”
Several of the charities were in attendance to root for their driver in the Hoosierdega Champion Cup. Included on the list was Tom Harvey of Outfitters, Inc., a local charity that provides clothing and school supplies for underprivileged children in Madison County.
“Hoosier Park and Joe (Putnam) supported us big time at our gala this year,” said Harvey, director of development for Outfitters, Inc. “It’s our main fundraiser of the year and Joe and Lisa (Putnam) presented us with a big check from last year’s activities. We really appreciate all the support that Joe and Lisa provide for us.”
New to the Fab Five promotion this year is Bates, who chose Second Harvest Food Bank as his charity. The organization covers East Central Indiana, providing meals for numerous counties, including Madison County.
“Hoosier Park has been a great supporter of our organization,” said Susan Land, development associate for Second Harvest Food Bank. “They have supported a lot of hungry people through Madison County and the East Central Indiana region since they have been in business. We are very appreciative of this opportunity with our driver (Brandon Bates) and are excited to meet him.”
Another new driver added as a Challenger to the Fab Five this season is Stohler, who will put his fundraising efforts to work for St. John’s Children’s Clinic.
“The Children’s Clinic provides free care for children in Anderson and Madison County,” said Jim Moore, who is retired from St. Johns. “Proceeds from a Sandi Patty concert got the building started. It’s important to support our children’s health. No one is turned down at the clinic. Trent’s support will help continue the health care to these children.”
In all, $5,000 was donated to the charities among the drivers during Hoosierdega Nights. The Fab Five, Champion, and Challengers will continue their fundraising efforts throughout the 2011 Standardbred meet with the main focus on Charity Chariots. Charity Chariots will get underway Monday, May 30 prior to a special Memorial Day racing program that begins at 12:30 p.m. The drivers will offer rides around the racetrack on a two-seated jog cart prior to the races for a $20 donation. All funds will go directly to the driver’s charity. Charity Chariots will continue through June on Saturday afternoons before the first race goes to post at 4:30 p.m.
(Hoosier Park)