Bolt The Duer teamed up with catch-driver Sam Widger to capture the 20th edition of the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational on Saturday night at Hoosier Park.
With regular reinsman Mark MacDonald unable to make the drive due to travel problems, Widger was called upon to sub-in by trainer Peter Foley and worked out the winning trip for the slight second choice in the Anderson, Indiana track’s signature harness racing event.
Widger made use of Bolt The Duer's gate speed sending the four-year-old son of Ponder to command from post seven over Fred And Ginger (Ricky Macomber Jr.) before Up The Credit (Trace Tetrick) rolled up from the post nine to take over the leading role during a :26-second opening panel.
Up The Credit fronted the field of 10 pacers to the half in :53.4 before coming under attack. Fred And Ginger advanced first over and battled head-to-head with the leader past the 1:22 three-quarters mark. As Fred And Ginger edged ahead into the stretch, Bolt The Duer found open road in the middle of the track and rallied home for the one and a half length victory in 1:49.3.
Bolt The Duer paid $7.60 to win. Fred And Ginger stayed for second while defending champion Rockincam (Jason Dillander) came on for third.
"My apologies to Mark, but I'm sure glad to be here," said Widger in the winner's circle. "I have to thank Pete. I can't tell you how many times in my life that God has just thrown a surprise at me and has just blessed me so much. Just a noon today Peter gave me a call and asked if I would drive him. I said sure that would be the greatest."
"It's certainly a special win," commented Foley. "I raced here for quite a few years before the last seven years I've been at Pocono Downs. It is special to come here because I know everyone here."
The win was the first of the season in two starts for Bolt The Duer, who is owned by All Star Racing Inc. of Towaco, New Jersey. The millionaire pacer now boasts a career record reading 16-4-0 in 29 outings.