Hoosier: Grand Circuit stars ready to shine in stakes action

Grand Circuit racing action will return to Hoosier Park Racing & Casino for the third time this season on Friday, September 21 and with it, bring some of the top rated horses in all of North America. With purses topping the $1.4 million mark, Hoosier Park will host a standout card that includes the $200,000 Caesars Trotting Classic, the $207,000 Kentuckiana Stallion Management Stakes, the $155,000 Jenna’s Beach Boy Pace, the $177,000 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby, and the $120,000 Elevation Pace. First post is 6:30 p.m.

Millionairess and World Champion, Hannelore Hanover will make the return to her home state for the first time this season to headline a field of ten in Hoosier Park’s premier trotting event, the $200,000 Caesars Trotting Classic. The six-year-old Indiana-sired daughter of Swan for All will look to become the first horse in history to score consecutive victories in the Caesars Trotting Classic as she was victorious in the 2016 edition in 1:52 4/5. Hannelore Hanover has won six of 10 starts this season with lifetime purse earnings approaching the $3 million mark. Trained by Ron Burke, Hannelore Hanover is scheduled to tackle the boys once again; starting from post four with Yannick Gingras slated to drive.

The $177,000 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby will feature another stellar match-up between the aged pacing stars of 2018. The 2018 Dan Patch Stakes winner Lazarus N will return to Indiana to square off against eight other rivals including divisional leader, McWicked. After making his U.S. debut at Hoosier Park and defeating McWicked in the $325,000 Dan Patch Invitational at Hoosier Park on Aug. 10, Lazarus N was second to McWicked in the $462,000 Canadian Pacing Derby at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Sept. 1. Lazarus N will start from post six for trainer Jimmy Takter while McWicked has drawn post three for trainer Casie Coleman.

“From top to bottom a 14-race card that can only be described as terrific,” Hoosier Park’s Vice President and General Manager, Rick Moore noted. “Mix in the fact that we will be witnessing the rubber match between Lazarus and McWicked and the return of the Indiana trotting heroine Hannelore Hanover and you have an evening of harness racing that all of us at Hoosier Park could not be more proud to present.”

Racing fans will have the opportunity to participate in two special wagers offered on the evening’s 14-race card. A $20,000 Guaranteed Superfecta will be available in the $177,000 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby, slated as the eleventh race on the program, and a $20,000 Guaranteed Superfecta in the $200,000 Caesars Trotting Classic, the twelfth race on the program, both as part of the Strategic Wagering Program. Each wager has a minimum bet of 10 cents and is available through the cooperative efforts of the United States Trotting Association, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and the Indiana Standardbred Association.

Friday’s stakes filled card is part of Hoosier Park’s 2018 Championship Meet, which features a $5 million stakes schedule. The twelve-week championship stretch, which kicked off on Friday, August 10 with the $325,000 Dan Patch Stakes, will offer an unparalleled series of high caliber stakes races.

--Edited release (Hoosier Park)