The toteboard lit up on Wednesday, September 4 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino due to a level of Hoosier High 5 payout that the track hasn’t seen in three years.
The pool was guaranteed at $25,000 and kick started with carryover money from the night before. Thanks to a few longshots, the 20-cent wager paid $42,004.66, which is the largest payout the track has provided since 2016.
After T C Scandal and Brandon Bates took the 12th race of Tuesday’s card, a Hoosier High 5 carryover of $7,818.68 was triggered. Shortly after the payouts went up, Hoosier Park announced the track would be guaranteeing the Hoosier High 5 pool at $25,000 instead of the usual $10,000 seen every Tuesday-Friday.
Prices seemed to rule as soon as the wings of the gate opened, and the trend continued as each horse crossed the wire. The winner was once again driven by Brandon “Big Ticket” Bates, who brought the 12-1 Mocha On The Rocks home in 1:54. Following in second was Mighty Little Joe at 34-1 driven by trainer Andy Shetler while Townline Flight with Matt Rheinheimer rallied for third at 17-1. The fourth spot was taken by Buddysnvirgins and Jared Finn with the lowest odds on the ticket of 7-2. Rounding out the ticket was Major Desire with Dale Hiteman at 11-1. The pool was scooped by one lucky bettor.
After no winners in Wednesday’s Pick 5, Thursday will feature a $1,947.33 Pick 5 carryover in races eight through 12 and guaranteed Hoosier High 5 in race 12. Thursday’s card will also feature the weekly $10,000 guaranteed Pick 4 in races three through six and a $10,000 guaranteed Hoosier High 5 in race 12. The night’s featured races are the two divisions of the sixth leg of Indiana Sires Stakes for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings in race nine and race 11.
(With files from Hoosier Park)