A Harrah's Hoosier Park homecoming was a victorious one for Sabonis as the Indiana-bred returned to Anderson, Indiana oval for the first time in 2025 to score in the $416,667 Dan Patch Stakes, presented by Indiana Standardbred Breed Development, on Friday, Aug. 8.
Starting in the second tier from post 10 with driver Dexter Dunn as the 3-1 second choice, Sabonis followed 2-1 favourite Little Rocket Man (Mike Oosting) out of the gate to get away in the fifth position in the field of 11 as Desperate Man (Matt Kakaley) cut the quarter in a hot :26.1.
Little Rocket Man wheeled to the top from the pocket on the backstretch before leading to the halfway point in :54.1 when Dunn tipped Sabonis first-over and into fourth. Sabonis charged into second around the final turn and to Oosting’s wheel as he began to call on Little Rocket Man for more at three-quarters in 1:22.1.
Sabonis surged alongside Little Rocket Man before putting the favourite away halfway through the lane, but with a new threat in Desperate Man, who swung off the pylons to take aim at the leader while Bythemissal (Chris Page) picked up steam widest of all.
Digging in with a :27 final quarter, Sabonis reached the wire first in 1:49.2 by 1-1/4 lengths over Bythemissal, who edged out Desperate Man for the place spot. Captain Luke (Todd McCarthy) emerged from a wall of horses to be fourth over Huntinthelastdolar (Andrew McCarthy).
“We were in a tricky spot to start but fired through nicely to get away in a good spot,” said Dunn, who notched his second career Dan Patch victory. “He was travelling so strong around the final turn, he gave a really gritty effort to dig deep in a great mile.”
Trained by Brett Pelling, Sabonis has won two of his eight races this year with five third-place efforts and earnings topping $420,000 on the season for owners Diamond Creek Racing of Wellsville, Pennsylvania and Pelling Racing of Creamridge, New Jersey.
The four-year-old son of Tellitlikeitis-Gypsy Bellevue has won 19 of 28 starts lifetime, with his career earnings surging past the million-dollar mark. Among his wins, he streaked to 13 straight last year racing mostly in Hoosier stakes for trainer Aaron Stutzman.
Sabonis paid $8.40 to win at the betting windows.
The victory was one of four on the night for Dunn, who ended the 15-race card with a natural hat-trick to match the four wins on the night by leading driver Trace Tetrick for top honours. Tyler George led the way on the training side, also with four victories on the night.
Live harness racing continues at Hoosier Park on Saturday, Aug. 9 with a 12-race card at 5:30 p.m. The night will get underway with a $4,240 carryover in the Early Pick 5 (Races 1-5).
(With files from Hoosier Park)