The Indiana-bred and -sired Coach Stefanos will take his third shot at the $300,000 USD Grade 1 Dan Patch Stakes for open pacers on Friday, Aug. 14 at Hoosier Park.
Driver Marcus Miller said he is excited for the Dan Patch, especially having an opportunity to strike with Coach Stefanos, who is trained by his father, Erv.
"I know that he is the kind of horse that can compete with the horses that are coming in from out of town,” he said. “When you go into a race, just having a horse that is truly competitive is all you can ask for, and he is definitely that kind of horse.”
Coach Stefanos drew post five, positioning him in the middle of the gate in the 11-horse field. Marcus Miller said he is hoping for a better trip compared to Coach Stefanos’s recent starts.
“It’s as good of a spot as it possibly could be for him,” he said. “Obviously, a little farther left would be nice, but it gives us a chance to be in the race… I was happy to see it was the five hole, it looks like there's a lot of speed [in the field], so hopefully it sets up to be a really exciting race and Coach can get the job done.”
This season, Coach Stefanos has appeared in 10 starts and hit the board in eight of those appearances for owners Ken Duffy, D&M Trading II LLC and John Stefanos. Despite only having one win on the year, the millionaire Tellitlikeitis-Watch N Be Watched gelding has remained a threat in the local Open Pace, leaving Marcus Miller excited for the potential for it all to come together.
“He’s been really sound, and he’s felt like his old self,” the reinsman said. “He’s been right up in the rig and all the way around the last turn and through the wire, and he’s just feeling really good. I hope he continues that way because we all know when he’s 100 per cent, he’s as good as any horse in the country.”
Marcus Miller has been in the bike for all of Coach Stefanos’s starts this season. He said he is thankful for the opportunity to compete in one of the biggest races at Hoosier Park, where he drives regularly.
“[The Dan Patch] is super exciting when you have [drivers] coming out of town, there aren’t a ton of spots in these kind of races,” Marcus Miller said. “So, to be able to have one with a horse that’s competitive is all you can ask for.”
Erv Miller has been with Coach Stefanos every step of the way, including the gelding's runner-up dead-heat finish in the 2024 Dan Patch, and his Breeders Crown championship in 2024. For Marcus Miller, being able to share the grand stage with his father adds another layer to the race.
“We’ve been on a team my whole career, and it’s worked out pretty well,” he said. “We’ve had some big wins over the years, and it’s a lot of fun. We work together well and him being my father just makes it that much sweeter.”
Marcus Miller hopes to add to the growing resume for local icon Coach Stefanos, who has already had a prolific career.
“He’s a hometown favourite,” the driver said. “So, anytime you can do something with a horse that a lot of people follow, it makes it that much cooler. He’s got fans and I hope I can put him in the right spot.”
The Dan Patch Stakes serves as the 13th race at Hoosier Park on Friday. First post for the 15-race program is 5:30 PM.
The full field is below.
$300,000 USD Dan Patch Stakes (Grade 1)
Post - Horse - Driver - Trainer - Morning Line
1. Little Rocket Man - Kyle Wilfong - Ken Rucker - 15-1
2. Crack Shot - Doug McNair - Gregg McNair - 8-1
3. Bythemissal - Ronnie Wrenn Jr. - Ron Burke - 6-1
4. Dandy Ideal - Tyler Buter - Hunter Oakes - 3-1
5. Coach Stefanos - Marcus Miller - Erv Miller - 20-1
6. Captain Optimistic - Dexter Dunn - Nancy Takter - 7-2
7. Prince Hal Hanover - Todd McCarthy - Dr. Ian Moore - 7-1
8. Fallout - Trace Tetrick - Ron Burke - 20-1
9. Harrisburg Heist - Yannick Gingras - Ron Burke - 9-1
10. Huntinthelastdolar - John De Long - Per Engblom - 20-1
11. Women Layer - David Miller - Virgil Morgan Jr. - 7-1
(Hoosier Park; photo of Coach Stefanos winning on May 22)