Hoosier Park Racing & Casino has announced it has a renewed partnership with HRTV, The Network for Horse Sports, to provide exclusive coverage for the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational on Saturday, May 25.
Now in its 20th edition, the Dan Patch Invitational Pace sets the stage for the top rated horses in North America to convene on Hoosier Park’s seven-eighths mile oval seeking a lucrative $200,000 purse and a spot in Hoosier Park’s history. Post time for the first race on the 14-race card is 5:30 p.m.
HRTV will provide expanded coverage of the outstanding night of harness racing, complete with in-studio commentary and analysis by network talent.
Hoosier Park’s signature harness racing event has become a tradition that is close to the hearts of Hoosiers. The Dan Patch, an invitational race, not only highlights some of the best athletes in the sport of harness racing, but is deeply rooted throughout Indiana soil.
The Dan Patch race was established at Hoosier Park in 1994 with Ready To Rumble and driver Trevor Ritchie winning the inaugural edition 20 years ago. The list of all-star horses that have made their way to Hoosier Park over the years includes Jennas Beach Boy, Maltese Artist and former seven-eighths mile world record holder, the late Pacific Fella.
Hoosier Park’s headline event is part of a special evening tagged “Thrillyard 200”. The entire evening will be filled with extreme racing, extreme entertainment, extreme wagers, giveaways and fun throughout the Hoosier Park property.
The ‘extreme’ theme will take center stage on the track as ten of North America’s fastest Standardbreds go to post for the Dan Patch Invitational, slated as the eleventh race on the program with an estimated post time of 9:30 p.m.
In what may be the most competitive field ever assembled, this year's installment of Hoosier Park’s featured event will highlight the 14-race program. The 2013 installment has no shortage of talent as patrons can expect to see horses like North American Cup Winner Up The Credit, Meadowlands Pace champion A Rocknroll Dance and 2012’s Dan Patch victor Rockin Cam lined up behind the gate.
The evening will also feature several $30,000 divisions of the Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts, sending the purse money to be distributed throughout the evening over $400,000.
(Hoosier Park)