Harrah's Hoosier Park: It's Academic cruises in Caesars Trotting Classic

It's Academic's sensational 2023 campaign continued on Friday night at Harrah's Hoosier Park with an authoritative 1:50 3/5 victory in the $210,000 Caesars Trotting Classic for free-for-allers. The final time equaled the all-age track record.

Driver David Miller put It's Academic on the lead early, getting past Take All Comers (Tim Tetrick) well before the 26 2/5 opening quarter. Pretender (Dexter Dunn), who had just floated away from post three, then drove on two-wide and would take over the top spot on the way to the 54 2/5 half.

Pretender roared through three-quarters in 1:22 2/5 but never got any separation on It's Academic, and when Miller brought his charge to the outside in the lane, It's Academic would take over command again. It was all It's Academic from there as he pulled away to the wire, defeating Take All Comers by 2 1/2 lengths. Lovedbythemasses (Todd McCarthy) rallied from last to third in the passing lane.

"I was just going to have him ready to leave, and if they were going a lot harder, I was going to go to Plan B, but it worked out good," Miller offered post-race. "He got to the lead in a big quarter and then he got covered up. That was basically all I wanted. He's a real gentleman on and off the track. He's got a big heart and a lot of desire. I admire him."

Ron Burke trains It's Academic, a 6-year-old stallion by Uncle Peter, for owner Brad Grant. It's Academic has compiled a record of 30-17-13 from 79 career starts, has now put away $2,103,263 and returned $3.80 to win as the 4-5 favorite.