A talented field will be sent postward at Hoosier Park in Friday’s $300,000 Dan Patch Stakes – the richest edition of the race in its 21-year history.
Ten of the top rated older pacers in North America will take center stage as they go to post seeking glory in Hoosier Park’s signature harness racing event. The 2015 installment of the Dan Patch Stakes will highlight the 14-race program that is set to begin at 5:15 p.m. and be supported by an all-star undercard includes Indiana Sires Stakes and overnight series action.
The 2015 Dan Patch field boasts combined career purse earnings over $17 million and includes five millionaires and two World Champions. North America’s leading money-winning trainer, Ron Burke, will look to be the first trainer to score back to back victories in the Dan Patch Stakes since Nat Varty scored with Ready To Rumble and Pacific Rocket in 1994 and 1995.
Foiled Again, the richest horse in harness racing history, with more than $7 million in career purse earnings, headlines the ten horses entered in this year’s Dan Patch Stakes and will play the role of morning line favourite at odds of 5-2 from post two. The 11-year-old World Champion pacer will make first appearance in the race, and third Hoosier Park start, with regular pilot Yannick Gingras in the bike for trainer Ron Burke.
Burke has enlisted Hoosier Park’s all-time leading driver, Ricky Macomber Jr., who visited the Dan Patch winner’s circle in 2000 and 2002, to drive Bettors Edge from post nine. Bettors Edge and Macomber Jr. finished second in the 2014 edition of the Dan Patch to stablemate Sweet Lou in a track record setting mile of 1:47.2. Joining Foiled Again and Bettors Edge from the Burke Stable on Friday will be Limelight Beach from post seven, All Bets Off from post eight, and Clear Vision from the trailing post position ten.
JK Endofanera will join the stellar cast of entrants and be a main contender for the 2015 Dan Patch title from the coveted rail position. With over $1.5 million in career earnings, the Jimmy Takter trainee has been tabbed as the 3-1 morning line second choice. Brett Miller has been listed to drive both JK Endofanera and World Champion Clear Vision.
$300,000 Dan Patch
1. JK Endofanera
2. Foiled Again
3. Lyonssomewhere
4. Captive Audience
5. Duc Dorleans
6. Lets Drink On It
7. Limelight Beach
8. All Bets Off
9. Bettors Edge
10. Clear Vision
Racing fans will have the opportunity to participate in two special wagers offered for the Dan Patch card. A $25,000 guaranteed Dan Patch Superfecta pool will be available as part of the Strategic Wagering Program for the Dan Patch race. The wager will have a minimum bet of 10 cents and is available through the cooperative efforts of the United States Trotting Association, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and the Indiana Standardbred Association. Slated as the twelfth race on the card, estimated post time for the Dan Patch Stakes is 9:44 p.m.
A 10,000 Guaranteed Pick-4 pool will also be available to racing fans on Friday’s 14-race card. The Pick-4, which offers a 50-cent minimum wager, begins in the third race and will continue through the sixth race. Approximate post time for the first leg of the wager, the third race, is 5:55 p.m. (EST).
Hoosier Park’s most prestigious pacing 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 soil. Hoosier Park’s event is named after the early 1900’s racehorse phenomenon, Dan Patch born in Oxford, Indiana.
Now, 100 years after his birth, the great pacer is still remembered every year at Hoosier Park with this signature race. Since its inception in 1994, the Dan Patch Stakes has drawn the very best older pacers in North America. Previous Dan Patch winners include World Champions and harness racing greats like Pacific Fella, Jennas Beach Boy, Maltese Artist, Won The West, Mister Big, and Sweet Lou.
The race will be part of a special weekend tagged as “Dan Patch Festival Weekend” and will feature extreme entertainment, giveaways, and racing. The evening will also be complimented by Indiana Sires Stakes finals, sending the purse money to be distributed throughout the evening over the $800,000 mark.
(Hoosier Park)