Some of the brightest stars in all of harness racing will descend upon Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday (Sept. 25) as Grand Circuit racing action returns to Hoosier Park’s seven-eighths-mile oval for the third time this season.
With over $1.2 million in purses to be distributed, Hoosier Park will offer arguably one of the best cards of the 2020 season on Friday with a 15-race card that includes the $150,000 Caesars Trotting Classic, the $221,000 Kentuckiana Stallion Management Stakes, the $140,000 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby, the $120,000 Elevation Pace and the $100,000 Jennas Beach Boy Pace. First post is 6:30 p.m.
A talented field of 10 will go to post in this year’s edition of the $150,000 Caesars Trotting Classic. Maple Leaf Trot winner Atlanta has been enlisted as the 8-5 slight morning line choice from post position eight with David Miller in the bike for trainer Ron Burke. The five-year-old daughter of Chapter Seven and Hemi Blue Chip has won three of seven outings while bankrolling $414,564 this season.
Lindy The Great captured last year’s edition of the Caesars Trotting Classic and will start from post 10 with regular pilot Andy Miller aboard for trainer Julie Miller. Lindy The Great will look to become the first back-to-back winner in the history of the Caesars Trotting Classic.
The field for Friday’s main event also includes seven millionaires and three Indiana-sired trotters. The Hoosier State will be well represented as Bridge To Jesses, Fiftydallarbill and Custom Cantab will look to capture Indiana’s richest trotting event.
Not to be outdone by their trotting counterparts, an accomplished field of 10 will line up behind the gate for the $140,000 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby. After winning the 2020 Dan Patch Stakes, Century Farroh returns to Harrah’s Hoosier Park and will play the role of morning line favourite from post eight. The Dr. Ian Moore trainee most recently finished third in the Canadian Pacing Derby behind Dorsoduro Hanover and Dancin Lou, who have drawn posts 10 and six respectively.
Racing fans will have the opportunity to participate in three special wagers offered on the evening’s 14-race card. A $25,000 guaranteed superfecta will be available in the Caesars Trotting Classic (race 13), and a $20,000 guaranteed superfecta will be offered in the Hoosier Park Pacing Derby (race 12). A $15,000 Hoosier High-5 will also be offered on the last race of the program. Each wager is available through the cooperative efforts of the United States Trotting Association, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and the Indiana Standardbred Association.
Along with the action on the track, Harrah’s Hoosier Park will offer a variety of promotions and a fall festival for racing fans. The first 250 racing fans will receive a free Harrah’s Hoosier Park 2020 racing T-shirt. The evening’s festivities will also include free handicapping contests, family-friendly activities, free pumpkins (while supplies last), live entertainment, food trucks and giveaways.
Friday’s stakes filled card is part of Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s 2020 Championship Meet, which features a $4 million stakes schedule. The 12-week championship stretch, which kicked off on Aug. 9 with the $200,000 Dan Patch Stakes, will be highlighted by the return of the Breeders Crown on Oct. 30 and 31.
(Harrah's Hoosier Park)