Harrah's Hoosier Park: Lather Up rerallies after being passed, wins Dan Patch Stakes

Lather Up, who picked up a co-owner this week when Taylor Made Stallions purchased 50 percent of him, didn't disappoint in the $330,000 Dan Patch Stakes for free-for-all pacers at Harrah's Hoosier Park, battling back in the lane after being passed by McWicked to win in a track record-equaling 1:47 2/5.

Filibuster Hanover (Yannick Gingras) and Jimmy Freight (Scott Zeron ) hooked up in a cutthroat duel after the start, and that led to an eye-popping 24 4/5 opening quarter. Jimmy Freight relented into the pocket after that battle, with Lather Up (Montrell Teague) sweeping from third to first in the second quarter. After taking control Lather Up would reach the half in 53 3/5, with McWicked (Brian Sears) moving first-up from fifth at that time.

McWicked came with a nice move on the rim, and when Lather Up couldn't negotiate the final bend without throwing in some steps, McWicked was able to clear to command passing the 1:21 3/5 three-quarters and drop back to the inside in front of Lather Up turning into the lane.

Through the stretch McWicked looked to see out the victory, but the passing lane became available for Lather Up in midstretch, and once shown that clear air to the inside, he was full of pace, rallying by McWicked to win by 2 1/2 lengths. McWicked had to settle for second, Endeavor (Sam Widger) was third, Jimmy Freight stayed on for fourth, and Filibuster Hanover got fifth.

"I saw the first quarter in 24, and I was just sitting back waiting for them to set up," said Teague. "Then once I came, he had a big burst. Once I got to the front I just backed it down. He kind of labored in the turn like he usually does here, but it all went to plan. Now I love that passing lane here. You never want McWicked to eye you, and once he got by I was like, ehh I might have a little bit more fight than I want to, but once I went down to the passing lane my horse just opened right up.

"These big races that you can win, they just prevail over any kind of race that you can be in. You can be in regular races every night, but when you win a big one like this, it's just something special."

Clyde Francis trains Lather Up, a 4-year-old son of I'm Gorgeous, for owners/breeders Gary and Barbara Iles and their new partners. This was Lather Up's 23rd career win, and he has now pocketed $1,651,060. The 1-5 favorite, he paid $2.60 to win.

"The turn, that's what I was worried about, but as soon as he came into the stretch, he did good then," said Francis. "It's a great pleasure to own a horse like him. They don't come every day."

Ernie Martinez brokered the deal to bring Taylor Made on board with Lather Up after they had a strong campaign with New Zealand import Lazarus last season, and said, "Definitely Lazarus was a success, and this horse is just unbelievable. I don't know if I've ever seen a race like this. You don't find horses that move this free, move this easy, with so much guts. It's unbelievable. He's a beast."

Obviously, Taylor Made is heavily involved in the breeding end of the business, but Martinez said a return to the races as a 5-year-old for Lather Up isn't necessarily out of the cards.

"We're going to listen to the horse. We're going to let the horse tell us," he offered. "I want to be back to defend the title next year, to be honest with you. If he's sound and the good Lord willing, we're coming back."