Dunn sweeps Hoosier stakes with top two-year-olds

ANDERSON, Ind.—Sept. 13, 2024 – Driver Dexter Dunn made his way to Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday, Sept. 13 and swept the two richest harness racing events in the state of Indiana, taking the $390,000 Peter Haughton Memorial with Maryland (Chapter Seven-Crucial), before Champagne Problems (Tactical Landing-Miss Caviar) scored in the $305,000 Jim Doherty Memorial.

The two-year-old trotting colts stepped into the spotlight first in the Haughton, with Maryland sent off as the 6-5 favorite in the field of 10.

Leaving from post eight, Maryland and Dunn found themselves the widest of a four across battle for the lead going into the first turn, with Father TJ (driven by Tyler Buter) first to the quarter on the inside in :27.1. Hidalgo (Yannick Gingras) pressed on to the lead briefly before Maryland assumed command and slowed the tempo to the half in :57.4. The top trio remained in straight alignment on the final turn, with Maryland leading the field to three-quarters in 1:27.

Maryland began to assert himself at the top of the stretch, trotting clear by three lengths midway through the lane with Hidalgo fending the others off for the minor spoils. Sprinting home in :27.1, Maryland crossed the wire 3-1/4 lengths clear, stopping the clock in 1:54.1. Hidalgo held for the place position, with Eugene The Genius (Mike Oosting) beating out Father TJ for show.

“Quite a few sprinted out of there which you expect in a race like this,” said Dunn in the winner’s circle. “ Once we got to the front, we got things pretty cheap and he sprinted home and felt great tonight.”

MARYLAND REPLAY

Trained by Marcus Melander, Maryland entered the Peter Haughton off of a 17-1 score upset score in the $425,500 William Wellwood in a career best 1:53.4. Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, he is owned by Courant Inc., Pcw Racing LLC., Holly Lane Stud East LTD., and Sstewartrthorn Stable. Now a winner of three of six, Maryland sports a career bankroll of $425,378.

“He’s been such a good horse from the start,” said trainer Marcus Melander. “He felt like a good horse when we trained him down, he’s classy and did it easy tonight.”

“We gave him a little bit of time off this summer but feel like he’s coming into the fall extremely sharp.”

Driver Dexter Dunn hinted that Maryland will have his sights set on another major prize next weekend, as the star rookie will head back north of the border for The Mohawk Million. In addition, Maryland secured his spot in the $700,000 Breeders Crown Final and a starting gate position between one and five with the victory in the Haughton.

The Nancy Takter trained Champagne Problems followed suit and secured her spot in the Breeders Crown with a front end score in the Jim Doherty Memorial for two-year-old trotting fillies.

Leaving from post seven as the 5-2 second-choice, Dunn slotted Champagne Problems third early as Royal Mission (Scott Zeron) hustled to the front from post nine to cut the quarter in :27.3. Dunn sent Champagne Problems to the front down the backstretch, taking command before reaching the halfway point in :57.1. No challenge came to Champagne Problems on the far turn who had things her way to the three-quarter pole in 1:26.3.

Champagne Problems began to pour it on at top of the lane, trotting clear by 2-1/2 lengths with an eighth to go while Royal Mission battled Pink Chou Chou (Gingras) for the place spot. Takter stablemate Pink Chou Chou continued to close in deepstretch, but Champagne Problems coasted to a 1-1/2 length victory in 1:54. Royal Mission held for third to round out the trifecta.

“She was a little fired up in Canada her last couple starts,” Dunn continued, “Nancy made a few changes since then and she was back to normal tonight and raced great.”

CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS REPLAY

She was a $35,000 yearling purchase has banked $327,504 for owners Rojan Stables, Family Business, Patrick Hoopes and Caviart Farms. Bred by Southwind Farms, Champagne Problems has won four of seven in her debut season.

Grand circuit racing action continues at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday, Sept. 20 as part of the $200,000est Caesars Trotting Classic card. The evening will feature nine stakes races worth over $1.2 million. First post for the Caesars Trotting Classic card is 6:00 p.m.

The week of racing concludes at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Saturday, Sept. 14 with a 12-race card set to get underway at 7:00 p.m.

For more information on the 2024 live racing season, guests are encouraged to visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

From Harrah’s Hoosier Park