Harrah's Hoosier Park: Bulky field lined up for 30th Dan Patch

For the first time ever, a field of 11 will be sent postward in the $300,000 Dan Patch Stakes at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, August 11. The 30^th installment of Indiana’s richest harness race will highlight the evening’s 15-race program that is set to begin at 6:15 p.m.

Eleven horses will line up behind the gate because Line Drive Hanover received an invitation from Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s Racing Secretary and Director of Racing Scott Peine. As stated in the racing conditions, in the event more than 10 horses properly declare for the Dan Patch, the Racing Secretary may extend an invitation to a horse that was not amongst the 10 highest lifetime money-earners that properly declared. The horse that receives the invitation must be nominated and entered into the Dan Patch. The invited horse will not take the place of one of the 10 highest lifetime money-earners that properly declare and the race will become an 11-horse field. The connections of Linedrive Hanover accepted the invitation and have drawn post six for Friday’s event. Trainer Anthony Beaton has enlisted James Macdonald to drive the 5-year-old son of Betting Line.

With combined career purse earnings of nearly $12 million, the talented field includes two World Champions and four millionaires. The Hoosier State will have a strong contingent of ‘hometown favorites’ with the likes of Tellmeaboutit, Little Rocket Man and Ponda Warrior all set to line up behind the gate seeking glory on their home track. Little Rocket Man has been enlisted as the second choice on the morning line at odds of 7-2 from post eight for trainer Ken Rucker.

North America’s leading money-winning trainer, Ron Burke, will look to score his third Dan Patch victory and become the first trainer to score three Dan Patch victories. As the richest horse in the field with over $3 million in lifetime purse earnings, This Is The Plan will be one of three entrants in the field for Burke and will start from post three. The World Champion will look to add to his bankroll and secure his first Dan Patch trophy after finishing fourth in the same event last year.

After an impressive score in the $100,000 Send It In Pace at Scioto Downs last week, Charlie May will play the role of morning-line choice at odds of 3-1 from the trailing post 10. With Brett Miller listed to drive, the 5-year-old son of Mcardle—Stipple Hanover will look to score his first Harrah’s Hoosier Park victory in just his second start over the surface for trainer Steve Carter.

The 2023 Dan Patch field, in post-position order with named driver and trainer includes:

1. Abuckabett Hanover Tr: Andrew Harris Dr: Scott Zeron M/L: 8-1

2. Tellmeaboutit Tr: Alvin Miller Dr: Michael Oosting M/L: 15-1

3. This Is The Plan Tr: Ron Burke Dr: Tim Tetrick M/L: 20-1

4. Lou’s Pearlman Tr: Ron Burke Dr: David Miller M/L: 6-1

5. Southwind Gendry Tr: Ron Burke Dr: Yannick Gingras M/L: 8-1

6. Linedrive Hanover Tr: Anthony Beaton Dr: James Macdonald M/L: 9-2

7. Captain Kirk Tr: Todd Luther Dr: Trace Tetrick M/L: 20-1

8. Little Rocket Man Tr: Ken Rucker Dr: John De Long M/L: 7-2

9. Whichwaytothebeach Tr: Gerry Merner Jr Dr: Mark Macdonald M/L: 20-1

10. Charlie May Tr: Steve Carter Dr: Brett Miller M/L: 3-1

11. Ponda Warrior Tr: Jay Hochstetler Dr: John De Long M/L: 12-1

The 2023 installment of the Dan Patch Stakes has been slated the 13^th race on the program with an estimated post time of 10:31 PM (EDT) and will be supported by an all-star undercard of racing action.

Racing fans will have the opportunity to participate in three special wagers offered for the Dan Patch card. A $30,000 Guaranteed Late Pick-4 will be offered in Races 12-15, a $30,000 Guaranteed Superfecta pool will be available on the Dan Patch Stakes in Race 13 and a $30,000 Guaranteed Hoosier-High Five pool on the last race of the program will be available as part of the Strategic Wagering Program. Each wager is available through the cooperative efforts of the United States Trotting Association, Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and the Indiana Standardbred Association. DRF will offer free past performances of the entire card on its website.

The race will be part of a special weekend tagged as “Dan Patch Festival Weekend”. As one of the biggest nights on the racing calendar, Harrah’s Hoosier Park will showcase some of the most notable names in harness racing alongside specialty wagers, giveaways, and interactive family-friendly entertainment.

The Dan Patch festivities will also include a driver autograph session, family-friendly activities and special giveaways in the winner’s circle throughout the evening. The first 300 fans will receive a free, commemorative 30^th edition Dan Patch Stakes t-shirt beginning at 5 p.m. Harrah’s Hoosier Park will also have food trucks, live interactive games, carnival games and food along with roaming entertainment to delight racing guests throughout the evening. Pop-country duo Cook and Bell, local fan favorites in the central Indiana area, will also perform a free show on The Yard.

For more information on the upcoming entertainment or live racing schedule at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, please visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.

-edited release (Hoosier)