Driver Mike Oosting recorded the 7,000th win of his career after he piloted Western Sierra to a 1:53 victory in a conditioned pace at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Saturday (Sept. 25).
Western Sierra staged big rally late in the lane and stormed past her competitors to win by a head for owner John Barnard and trainer Luis Quevedo. The four-year-old mare now sports a career bankroll of $159,766.
Oosting came into the 13-race card at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Saturday just two wins away from his milestone. The 59-year-old Illinois native also found the winner’s circle with Rocknroll Charm for trainer Mike Wilson in the first race on the card before reaching 7,000.
Oosting started his driving career nearly four decades ago and has since steered the winners of over $48 million. Oosting won multiple driving titles at Balmoral Park and Maywood Park, and has produced earnings over the $2 million mark in four of the last five seasons. Since making the trek to Harrah’s Hoosier Park full time in 2018 and finishing among the top 10 drivers that season, Oosting has finished among the top five drivers every season thereafter and is currently the fourth leading driver at Hoosier in 2021, with 138 trips to the winner's circle and over $1.9 million in purses earned. He is also the regular pilot behind the multiple Indiana Sires Stakes champion and current aged pacing star Tellmeaboutit for the Alvin Miller Stable.
Live racing at Harrah's Hoosier Park will continue on Sunday (Sept. 26) with a 13-race card, highlighted by an Open Trot. For more information on the live racing schedule, visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.
(Harrah's Hoosier Park)