Hoosier Park has unveiled the field of Free-For-All pacers for the 2024 Dan Patch Stakes, presented by Indiana Standardbred Breed Development, at a post position draw airing live prior to the Tuesday, Aug. 6 harness racing program.
The 31st edition of the $300,000 USD (est.) Dan Patch Stakes will take place this Friday, Aug. 9. First post is 6:15 p.m.
Local heavyweight Buzzsaw Russ (pictured above) has been installed as the 5-2 morning line choice. The Missy Essig trainee comes into the Dan Patch off of back-to-back wins in the Open at Hoosier Park, most recently closing in :25.3 to win the July 26 Open in a seasonal best time of 1:48.2 for driver John Delong and owners Russell Beeman and Charles Weaver of Indiana. The locally owned pacer looks to follow in the footsteps of 2023 champion, Ponda Warrior, as just the third Indiana bred to win the Dan Patch. Both Essig and De Long are in search of their first victories in the Dan Patch, having teamed with Little Rocket Man in 2021 and 2022 with finishes of fourth and fifth respectively.
With combined career purse earnings of over $7.2 million USD, the 2024 edition features a host of fresh faces with seven four-year-olds in the field. The only horse in the field with any prior Dan Patch experience is Charlie May, who will leave from the same post position he finished third from in the 2023 edition, post ten. Charlie May leads the field in career earnings, however, the double-millionaire enters The Dan Patch in search of his first victory in 2024 and has been established at 12-1 on the morning line.
Coming in off of a 68-1 upset in the $305,556 Sam McKee on Hambletonian day, Rocknroll Runa A has been designated much shorter odds on the Dan Patch morning, receiving respect as the 7-2 second-choice for trainer Larry Staulbaum. Mark MacDonald, who guided the seven-year-old son of Rocknroll Heaven-She’s A Runa to the career best 1:47.3 upset score, is listed to drive once again. With nearly $350,000 made this year, the seven-time winner in 2024 will leave from post six.
Right next door in post seven, Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s all-time leading Trace Tetrick looks for his first Dan Patch victory with the Indiana bred Coach Stefanos. The Erv Miller trainee is listed as the 4-1 third-choice on the morning line, coming off of a 1:50.2 victory against Open company at Hoosier Park. A winner of two of nine on the year including a 1:47.3 career best effort in a leg of the Graduate at the Meadowlands, a win in the Dan Patch would cement millionaire status for the career earner of $896,718.
Here's the field with morning line odds.
$300,000 Dan Patch Stakes - Friday Aug. 9
(Post - Horse - Trainer - Odds)
1. El Rey - Andrew Harris - 6-1
2. Dunkin - Scott DiDomenico - 8-1
3. Buzzsaw Russ - Missy Essig - 5-2
4. Why Not Now - Tyler George - 15-1
5. Christchurch - Todd Luther - 20-1
6. Rocknroll Runa A - Larry Stalbaum - 7-2
7. Coach Stefanos - Erv Miller - 4-1
8. Seven Colors - Andrew Harris - 12-1
9. Spring Inhis Step A - Jeff Cullipher - 20-1
10. Charlie May - Steve Carter - 12-1
The live stream of the post position draw is available below.
The 2024 installment of the Dan Patch Stakes has been slated the 13th race on the program with an estimated post time of 10:38 p.m. EDT and will be supported by an all-star undercard of racing action.
Racing fans will have the opportunity to participate in four special wagers offered for the Dan Patch card. A $10,000 Guaranteed Early Pick-5 will kick-off the card in Races 1-5 along with a $30,000 guaranteed Late Pick-4 in Races 12-15. The Dan Patch will feature a $30,000 guaranteed Superfecta pool in Race 13, before the night ends with a $15,000 guaranteed Hoosier High-5 in the Race 15 finale. Free programs for the Dan Patch card will be posted on the Harrah’s Hoosier Park website Wednesday (Aug. 7) evening.
For those who can’t attend in person, The Dan Patch Stakes card will air live on Fox Sports 2 from 8-11 p.m. with Gabe Prewitt and Jessica Otten on site to offer analysis. The evening will be the first of two Harrah’s Hoosier Park cards aired on Fox Sports this season, with the Caesars Trotting Classic on Friday, Sept. 20 slated to air nationally as well.
Those on track will be able to enjoy a live performance by Cook & Belle in The Hop from 7-10 p.m. to go along with outdoor activities, food trucks, Vanilla Bean creamery, face painting and much more. First post on Friday is slated for 6:15 p.m.
The Dan Patch race has become a tradition that is close to the hearts of Hoosiers. The Dan Patch not only highlights some of the best athletes in the sport of harness racing but is deeply rooted throughout Indiana history. The Dan Patch race was established at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in 1994 with Ready To Rumble and driver Trevor Ritchie winning the inaugural edition 31 years ago. The list of all-star horses that have made their way to Harrah’s Hoosier Park over the years includes Jennas Beach Boy, Sweet Lou and World Record holder, Bulldog Hanover.
(Standardbred Canada)