Flagman, with driver/trainer Rick Plano in the sulky, became Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s newest track record holder with an impressive 1:51 performance in the $22,000 Open Trot on Saturday night (July 1).
Flagman’s 1:51 score lowered the track record for older trotting geldings—the previous mark of 1:51.1 was co-held by Bridge To Jesses, Late Nite Hawk and Majestic Player A.
Leaving from post two, Flagman grabbed a pocket seat while Brookview Bolt and Trace Tetrick rattled off fractions of :26.2, :54.2 and 1:23. When the field turned for home, Plano gave Flagman the greenlight and he tipped out and turned on the trot. Flagman was able to put a head in front of Brookview Bolt and fend off a late surge from Jusmakinyalook and Jordan Ross to get the victory by three-parts of a length. Justmakinyalook was forced to settle for second while Dunbar Hall and Kyle Wilfong rallied well late to get up for third.
Sent off as the public’s second choice, Flagman returned $7 for the victory.
With the victory, Flagman recorded his second win of the season from six starts and established a lifetime best in the process. Owned by Maryann Plano, the gelded son of Guccio-Magic Lindy has earned $287,409 in lifetime purse earnings. Flagman was bred by Pond-A-Acres.
Earlier in the evening, Kyle Wilfong steered Sweet Charlie to a 1:48.1 victory to equal the track record held by Sweet Heaven for older pacing mares. Sweet Charlie recorded her first victory of the season and lowered her lifetime best by nearly three seconds for trainer Jeff Cullipher.
Live harness racing will continue at Hoosier Park with a special holiday card of live racing on Tuesday, July 4. With a post time of 6:15 p.m. (EDT), the evening’s 11-race card will be highlighted by Indiana Sires Stakes for the three-year-old competitors. In addition to the racing action, the evening will feature family fun activities, food trucks and giveaways. At the conclusion of live racing, Hoosier will host a free fireworks show.
(Harrah's Hoosier Park)