Harrah's Hoosier Park: Posts drawn for Grade 1 Dan Patch Stakes

Harrah's Hoosier Park's signature race, the $300,000 Dan Patch Stakes (G1) presented by Indiana Standardbred Breed Development, attracted a field of 11 of the best older pacers in North America set to do battle on the seven-eighths-mile oval on Friday, Aug. 14.

The top 10 career money earners that entered received their spot in the Grade 1 affair, with Crack Shot receiving an additional invite from Harrah's Hoosier Park to complete the field as the 11th horse. Seven millionaires headline the field that has combined earnings of $14,863,340 and 292 victories amongst the group.

A pair of hometown hopefuls will look to defend their home turf, with Little Rocket Man and Coach Stefanos taking aim once more. The double-millionaire Little Rocket Man leaves from the rail with two-time Dan Patch winning pilot Kyle Wilfong listed to drive as the 10-year-old pacer takes his fifth shot at the signature event. Little Rocket Man enters off a win against Open company at Harrah's Hoosier Park on August 7, scoring in 1:49 2/5. The victory gave Little Rocket Man his 87th career victory and pushed his career earnings to $2,068,384 for owners Russ Beeman and Boomer Freeman. Little Rocket Man was favored in the 2025 edition, where he finished eighth in a race won by fellow Indiana-sired star Sabonis and has finished fourth twice in the event (2021 and 2023).

Coach Stefanos, the 2024 Breeders Crown champion, was third in the Open event won by Little Rocket Man and has hit the board in three straight at Hoosier entering the Dan Patch. Regular pilot Marcus Miller looks to give his father Erv his first victory in the Dan Patch as Coach Stefanos takes his third run at it. The 6-year-old gelded son of Tellitlikeitis finished in a dead-heat for second in the 2024 edition behind Dunkin' and boasts a career bankroll of $1,430,285 for owners Ken Duffy, D&M Trading and Chris Stefanos.

A number of horses make their way to Harrah's Hoosier Park after competing in the Sam McKee Memorial on Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands. Women Layer pulled off a 17-1 stunner in his division of the McKee and will once again have Hall of Famer Dave Miller listed to driver for Virgil Morgan Jr. Both are in search of their second Dan Patch score, with Miller winning in 2020 with Century Farroh, and Morgan winning in 2009 with Mister Big.

Double millionaire Bythemissal (post three, Ronnie Wrenn Jr.), Captain Optimistic (post six, Dexter Dunn), Prince Hal Hanover (post seven, Todd McCarthy), Fallout (post eight, Tim Tetrick), and Huntinthelastdolar (post ten, Yannick Gingras) each enter from efforts in the Sam McKee in their last as well.

The 2026 Dan Patch field, in post-position order with trainers and listed drivers below:

Little Rocket Man - Ken Rucker - Kyle Wilfong

Crack Shot - Gregg McNair - Doug McNair

Bythemissal - Ron Burke - Ronnie Wrenn Jr.

Dandy Ideal - Hunter Oakes - Tyler Buter

Coach Stefanos - Erv Miller - Marcus Miller

Captain Optimistic - Nancy Takter - Dexter Dunn

Prince Hal Hanover - Dr. Ian Moore - Todd McCarthy

Fallout - Ron Burke - Tim Tetrick

Harrisburg Heist - Ron Burke - Yannick Gingras

Huntinthelastdolar - Per Engblom - Yannick Gingras

Women Layer - Virgil Morgan Jr. - David Miller

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The 2026 installment of the Dan Patch Stakes has been slated as the 13th race on the program and will be supported by an all-star undercard of racing action. Final driver selections will be made on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

In addition to the Dan Patch, the inaugural $100,000 Rockin Nola (G3) will serve as the 12th race on the card with a field of seven set to compete.

Rodeo Drive Deo - Ron Burke - Yannick Gingras

Good As You - Trent Stohler - Todd McCarthy

The Last Martini - Jared Bako - Doug McNair

Lyin' Eyes - Joe Putnam - Joey Putnam

Can'ttouchthese - Roger Welch - John De Long

Champagne Room - Ron Burke - Ronnie Wrenn Jr.

Three Times Bettor - Brett Pelling - Dexter Dunn

Bettors will want to study up for a wagering buffet that includes:

$10,000 GTD Early Pick 5 (Races 1-5)

Added Pick 4 (Races 2-5)

$10,000 GTD Pick 4 (Races 6-9)

Added Double (Race 10-11)

Added All-Stakes Pick 3 (Races 11-13)

$30,000 GTD Late Pick 4 (Races 12-15)

$10,000 GTD Late High 5 (Race 15)

For those attending in-person, there will be plenty to do on the track apron with promotions and family fun entertainment. From 6-10pm, guests may enjoy a live DJ, Food Trucks, Bounce Houses, Mechanical Bull and Vendor Market located in The Yard, as well as free yard games available in the Hoosier Outdoor Patio.

Additionally, guests 18 years of age and older are encouraged to get involved in the free to enter Door Prize Drawings located near the Winner's Circle beginning at 5:30 p.m. Prizes include pro football tickets to the Indianapolis home opener against Baltimore, Blackstone Grill, Apple iPad, AirPods, Yeti Backpack Cooler, Nespresso Coffee Machine, as well as $250 MegaBets on the Dan Patch. Guests will have until the start of the sixth race to enter, with prizes being drawn after each of races six through 11.

Guests may also enter the $20,000 Friday Night Fling on the track apron beginning at 5:30 p.m. Guests will receive their duck at the registration table to toss into the ISA vehicle on track after race six, each duck they get in the vehicle on Fridays will count as an entry into the $20,000 cash drawing on Hoosier Champions night (Friday, Oct. 9).

For those unable to attend in person, they can check out the national broadcast on FOX Sports 2 from 9-11:30pm. Gabe Prewitt and Jessica Otten will be live on site to provide coverage on the national window. The on-track simulcast will be handled by Harrah's Hoosier Park analysts Jacob Rheinheimer and Emily Gaskin in the Dan Patch Studio, with Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob 'Hollywood' Heyden manning paddock and winner's circle interviews.

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

--press release (Harrah's Hoosier Park)--