Harrah's Hoosier Park: Play Trix On Me looks to get over the hump in Carl Erskine

With seven second-place finishes in 13 starts this year, Play Trix On Me has been on the edge of a big score all season long. Now the Trixton-sired colt seeks the winner's circle on Friday night in the $140,000 Carl Erskine at Harrah's Hoosier Park.

"It's been a matter of finding races for him," said Linda Toscano, his trainer, about the scheduling problems she's had getting significant races for Play Trix On Me. The lack of races left the colt without a specific driver, but Toscano was fortunate to find one that has had a dramatic impact over the last few weeks, including in last Saturday's $500,000 Breeders Crown where Play Trix On Me came within a nose of defeating Amigo Volo.

"The fact that he wasn't staked made it difficult for me to keep one driver behind him. I'd have a driver and then a different driver," said Toscano. "I couldn't blame them for opting off since he didn't have the stakes schedule."

Fortunately for Toscano the driver situation has cleared up over the last three starts and in each Play Trix On Me appears to be moving in a very nice direction. "Joe (Bongiorno) has really done a nice job with him," said Toscano. "I asked him to come drive in an overnight here (October 15) and he agreed."

Since winning a 3-year-old conditioned event over the track, Play Trix On Me finished fifth in his Breeders Crown elimination and then returned in the final with the mile of his life. "He was good in the elimination but just came up a little short. He probably needed that race. Last week I was very happy with the way he finished," said Toscano.

Just a $4,500 yearling purchase from the 2018 Goshen auction, Play Trix On Me could go over the half-million dollar mark in career earnings with a solid performance on Friday night. Despite the spotty stakes schedule, Play Trix On Me also managed to finish second in the Canadian Trotting Classic at Woodbine Mohawk in September. "I thought he was really good in the Goodtimes elimination," said Toscano. "In the final he had an equipment malfunction, but he bounced back nicely in the Canadian Trotting Classic."

On Friday Play Trix On Me drew post six in a field of eight that includes a few holdovers from last week's Breeders Crown final. Ready For Moni had won five of his first six starts this year, including the Zweig and Goodtimes, to go along with a solid second-place in the Hambletonian. More recently the son of Ready Cash has been off the board in four straight starts for trainer Nancy Takter, including a fifth-place finish in the Crown after an overland coverless mile. On Friday Ready For Moni drew post five as he looks to right the ship.

Chestnut Hill has been one of the more consistent 3-year-olds this year but has had very little luck drawing good post positions. Once again, the Muscle Hill-sired colt drew post eight in the Erskine. Chestnut Hill closed on the outside for third in last week's Breeders Crown but could be more assertive for driver David Miller this time around.

Trainer Ron Burke puts his Bluegrass Stakes winner It's Academic into open company in the Erskine and the son of Uncle Peter landed post two in search of his seventh win of the season. It's Academic won the Pegasus with ease on last Saturday's Breeders Crown program at Hoosier Park with a 1:53 2/5 mile. He flashed even more speed capturing the Bluegrass in a career-best 1:50 3/5 clocking. Chris Page will guide It's Academic.

Kentucky Sire Stakes champion Beads (post 4) has been an all or nothing type of horse this year for trainer Per Engblom. He looked solid in his Breeders Crown elimination two weeks ago finishing right on the back of eventual final champion Amigo Volo. Then last week Beads broke before the start and sacrificed any chance in the final.

Rounding out the field for the Erskine will be McMatters (post 1), Sermon (post 3) and Emma Town Bud (post 7).

Harrah's Hoosier Park's 13-race program on Friday kicks off at 6:30 p.m. and also features the $160,000 Monument Circle for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, the $100,000 USS Indianapolis for 3-year-old pacing fillies and the $100,000 Crossroads of America for 3-year-old trotting fillies.