Hoosier Park: Lazarus improves to two-for-two over track

It appears that Hoosier Park is the track Lazurus prefers. The Bettor's Delight-sired horse went over the $3 million mark in career earnings by capturing the $177,000 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby on Friday night at the Anderson, Indiana, oval.

Lazarus sprinted out quickly, overtaking Filibuster Hanover and setting the 26-second opening quarter for driver Yannick Gingras. As he did in the Dan Patch earlier this year at Hoosier, Lazarus was able to control a very comfortable half of 55 seconds with the wind in his face before stablemate Western Fame began his uncovered move towards the leader.

Still, Lazarus had control as the 6-5 favorite for Gingras approaching three-quarters as Western Fame attacked and McWicked loomed off a second-over trip. Unlike the Canadian Pacing Derby, the extra layer of cover gave Lazarus the advantage he needed as he passed three-quarters in 1:23 and sprinted home to win in 1:48 4/5, the final panel of 25 4/5 aided in some ways by the wind but still impressive.

McWicked narrowed the margin along with Dontellmeagain in the closing hundred yards, but Gingras kept Lazarus to his task and managed to hit the wire a neck ahead of his persistent rival. Dontellmeagain finished third.

"I think we're on the right track," said Jimmy Takter, Lazarus's trainer. "With the wind it's not easy to cut it tonight."

Driver Gingras suggested Lazarus was more like the horse that debuted in North America in August.

"I think he's as good as he was the first time here," said Gingras.

Takter revealed that he hopes to race Lazarus next Friday at Hollywood Dayton in the Dayton Pacing Derby.

Taylor Made Stallions own Lazarus, who has now won half of his four starts in North America.