Hoosier Park track report

ANDERSON, Ind. - The two biggest races of the Hoosier Park meet, the $300,000-added Indiana Breeders' Cup Oaks and the $400,000-added Indiana Derby, will be run on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5.

The Grade 3 Oaks received a purse boost of $100,000 this year and offers $250,000 added plus another $50,000 for Breeders' Cup eligibles. Among the 26 nominees to the race are Habibti, Lady Shari, Lost at Sea, and Magic Storm.

The Derby, which had its purse raised to $400,000 this year and which will be run as a Grade 3 for the first time, drew 40 nominations including Danthebluegrassman, Easyfromthegitgo, Perfect Drift, Siphonic, Sky Terrace, and Wiseman's Ferry.

Jon Court bobblehead dolls will be handed out to the first 2,500 in attendance on Oaks night. Court, who is tied with Terry Thompson on the list for all-time stakes victories here, will be on hand to sign autographs.

* Gary Patrick joined a growing list of trainers sharing the record for most winners saddled in one night. On Sunday Patrick sent out Do You Say ($13.80) to win the second race, American Strike ($3.60) in the eighth, and Izzy Zipper ($4.20) in the 10th. Patrick joins a list of seven other trainers who share the record of sending out three winners in a night.

Jockey Lester Knight was aboard for all three of Patrick's winners Sunday, and he added a pair of victories Monday and now trails defending riding champion Terry Thompson by only one winner, 28-27.

* Apprentice Rey Hernandez was hospitalized three days following a spill on Sept. 15 in which he suffered several broken ribs, a broken collarbone, and a lacerated liver. He was released from Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis on Sept. 18 and is expected to be out several months.