Hoosier Park: Field established for 2021 Dan Patch Stakes

A field of 10 will be sent postward in the $325,000 Dan Patch Stakes at Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, August 13. The top-rated older pacers in North America will take center stage in the 28th installment of Hoosier Park's premier harness racing event.

The 2021 Dan Patch Stakes will highlight a 15-race program that is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be supported by an all-star undercard of racing action. The purse money to be distributed throughout the evening will push the $650,000 mark.

With combined career purse earnings over $9 million, the talented field includes two World Champions and four millionaires. North America's leading money-winning trainer Ron Burke will send out a strong contingent of three in the field as he looks to score his third training victory in the Dan Patch Stakes.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

After an impressive 1:47 2/5 score in the Sam McKee Memorial at the Meadowlands last week, Catch The Fire and Scott Zeron will play the role of morning-line favorite from post four at odds of 3-1. Trained by Todd Luther, the 4-year-old son of Captaintreacherous--Dream Outloud has won six of nine starts this season. With a win, Catch The Fire would send his lifetime purse earnings over the $1 million mark.

As the richest horse in the field with over $2 million in lifetime purse earnings, This Is The Plan has been enlisted as the 7-2 second choice from post three. With Yannick Gingras slated to drive, the 6-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere--That's The Plan will make his way back to Hoosier Park after clocking his fastest mile of the season with 1:47 3/5 score in the Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park earlier in the year. With $629,104 in purse earnings already amassed in 2021, the World Champion will look to add to his bankroll and secure his first Dan Patch trophy after finishing sixth in the same event last year.

Backstreet Shadow has been installed as the third choice on the morning-line at 4-1. With Harrah's Hoosier Park's all-time leading driver Trace Tetrick listed to drive, the 5-year-old son of Shadow Play--Backstreet Sweetie will be looking to score his first Harrah's Hoosier Park victory.

Also included in the celebrated field of 10 are Little Rocket Man and Tellmeaboutit, who will play the role of local fan favorites starting from post six and nine, respectively. John DeLong has been enlisted to drive Little Rocket Man for trainer Missy Essig while Michael Oosting will be the pilot for Tellmeaboutit and trainer Alvin Miller. With multiple Indiana Sires Stakes wins to their credit, Little Rocket Man and Tellmeaboutit have combined 43 lifetime wins over the Hoosier Park surface.

The 2021 Dan Patch field, in post-position order with named driver and trainer includes:

1. Sintra Tr: David Menary Dr: Jody Jamieson M/L: 10-1

2. Workin OnA Mystery Tr: Brian Brown Dr: Todd McCarthy M/L: 12-1

3. This Is The Plan Tr: Ron Burke Dr: Yannick Gingras M/L: 7-2

4. Catch The Fire Tr: Todd Luther Dr: Scott Zeron M/L: 3-1

5. Cattlewash Tr: Ron Burke Dr: David Miller M/L: 9-2

6. Little Rocket Man Tr: Melissa Essig Dr: John De Long M/L: 20-1

7. Brassy Hanover Tr: Jeff Cullipher Dr: Brian Sears M/L: 8-1

8. No Lou Zing Tr: Nancy Takter Dr: Dexter Dunn M/L: 15-1

9. Tellmeaboutit Tr: Alvin Miller Dr: Michael Oosting M/L: 30-1

10. Backstreet Shadow Tr: Ron Burke Dr: Trace Tetrick M/L: 4-1

The race will be part of a special weekend tagged as "Dan Patch Festival Weekend." Hoosier Park will showcase some of the most notable names in harness racing alongside special wagers, free prizes, giveaways, food trucks and ice cream.

Racing fans will have the opportunity to participate in two special wagers offered for the Dan Patch card. A $25,000 Guaranteed Dan Patch Superfecta pool will be available along with a $15,000 Guaranteed Hoosier-High Five pool on the last race of the program as part of the Strategic Wagering Program. Each wager is available through the cooperative efforts of the United States Trotting Association, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and the Indiana Standardbred Association.

Six lucky racing fans will have the opportunity to place a $250 win bet on the horse of their choice in the Dan Patch Stakes. Harrah's Hoosier Park will also be giving away $1,000 cash immediately following the Dan Patch race. Racing fans can enter to win the megabets and $1,000 cash prize at any trackside promotional kiosk beginning at 5 p.m.

The Dan Patch festivities will also include a driver autograph session, family-friendly activities, special giveaways in the winner's circle, and an official Dan Patch duffle bag free to the first 500 guests, beginning at 5 p.m.

Slated as the 13th race on the card, estimated post time for the Dan Patch Stakes is 11:00 p.m.

For free Harness Eye past performances, video analysis and live video, click here.

For more information on the upcoming entertainment or live racing schedule, please visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.

-edited release (Hoosier)