Preparations are underway for the 27th edition of the $225,000 est. Dan Patch Stakes at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. With the feature race set to go off Friday, August 14, a live virtual post draw will be held Tuesday, August 11 at 6:00 p.m. on various Harrah’s Hoosier Park social media outlets. Adhering to CDC guidelines, the draw will take place on the Terrace Showroom Stage in a socially distanced manner.
Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s premier race kicked off in 1994 with a victory from Ready To Rumble with Trevor Ritchie at the lines. The event has seen many notable moments such as Sweet Lou setting the overall track standard of 1:47:2 in 2014, the 'wonder from down under' Lazarus N making his North American debut a winning one in 2018 and co-fastest horse in the world, Lather Up, equal Sweet Lou’s 2014 record. A total of 34 horses and geldings are eligible for the 27th edition of the Dan Patch Stakes, including some names familiar to Indiana Racing fans such as now four-year-olds Little Rocket Man, Shamwow and Tellmeaboutit.
The Dan Patch Stakes is the highlight of Dan Patch Festival Weekend on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15. Both nights will feature entertainment for both the casual and serious racing fans in a variety of forms. To complement the Dan Patch Stakes, Friday’s festivities will include music from DJ Alex B, a free Dan Patch mask with the purchase of a $3.00 Dan Patch commemorative program and a Dan Patch water bottle giveaway to the first 500 Caesars Rewards members. Indiana radio personality Laura Steele, as well as guest handicapper and racing analyst Peter Lurie will be present for the race. On Saturday, live circus performances will roam around the property during the competitive live harness racing card.
The Dan Patch Stakes kicks off The Championship Season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, where the latter half of the meet is accented by the best in Grand Circuit racing such as the third edition of the Caesars Trotting Classic and the Monument Circle Pace. The 2020 Championship Season will be highlighted by the return of the Breeders Crown on October 30 and 31.
(Hoosier)