Harrah's Hoosier Park: Ponda Warrior roars home in Dan Patch thriller

Ponda Warrior, the lone 4-year-old in the field of 11, rallied off fourth-over cover with an explosive late rally for driver Kyle Wilfong to surprise in capturing Friday's $310,000 Dan Patch Stakes at Harrah's Hoosier Park in a 1:48 career-best clocking.

Starting from the second tier, Wilfong took Ponda Warrior from off-the-pace, but there was plenty of action in front as second choice Abuckabett Hanover left with purpose for driver Scott Zeron from the pole position but yielded his lead at the quarter to Lou's Pearlman and David Miller in a brisk 26 1/5 opening fraction. Linedrive Hanover and James MacDonald, the 6-5 choice in the field, seized control briefly going past three-eighths, but Zeron was on the move in short notice and grabbed control with Abuckabett Hanover by the 53 1/5 half.

Brett Miller had gotten Charlie May away in good order behind Abuckabett Hanover in the second tier and launched a first- over bid that put him on virtually even-terms with Abuckabett Hanover through much of the final half-mile. With Tellmeaboutit following in second-over position and Little Rocket Man third-over, the task for Wilfong sitting fourth- over into the homestretch appeared daunting.

With three-quarters in 1:20 3/5, the battle continued on the front, with neither Abuckabett Hanover or Charlie May yielding an inch through the long Harrah's Hoosier Park homestretch. Wilfong put Ponda Warrior, a son of Rockin Image, in gear in early stretch, and the Jay Hochstetler-trained horse made an explosive move, collaring the leaders in the shadow of the wire and winning quite comfortably as a 17-1 proposition. Charlie May nosed out Abuckabett Hanover for the place spot, while Little Rocket Man picked up a fourth-place check ahead of early leader Lou's Pearlman.

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"That was the greatest feeling in my life," said Wilfong following the race.

Though Ponda Warrior had qualified in April for his 4-year-old campaign initially, his first race was just seven days ago (August 4) a 1:48 4/5 victory over the same surface.

"I never expected to be here," said Hochstetler following the victory. "He raced so well last week that I thought we should give him a shot. I'm glad we did."

Owned by Hochstetler, along with Finkelberg Racing and South Of The Tracks Racing, Ponda Warrior returned $36.60 to win.