Catch The Fire takes $325,000 Dan Patch

With a burst of speed coming down the stretch, Catch The Fire ($4.40) and harness racing driver Scott Zeron were able to weave between horses to captured the $325,000 Dan Patch Stakes for older horses at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Friday evening.

There were ten starters in the 13th race feature as Cattlewash (David Miller) was parked out to the opening quarter mile in :25.3 by Workin Ona Mystery (Todd McCarthy) and that lead was short lived as the 6/5 favorite, Catch The Fire was quickly on the move and to the lead.

Even Catch The Fire’s lead was short lived as driver Yannick Gingras had This Is The Plan on the move and they took the lead away from Catch The Fire past the half in :54.1. And the action did not let up as Backstreet Shadow and driver Trace Tetrick was first-over and collaring This Is The Plan by the three-quarters in 1:21.2 as they started down the stretch.

Zeron elected to forgo the passing lane in the stretch and came to the outside with Catch The Fire, squeezing between This Is The Plan and Backstreet Shadow, taking the lead and then holding off a giant late charge by 68-1 long shot Tellmeaboutit (Michael Oosting) to win by a diminishing neck in 1:48.1. Backstreet Shadow held for third place.

CATCH THE FIRE REPLAY

It was the third straight triumph and seventh win in ten starts this year for Catch The Fire. The four-year-old stallion by Captaintreacherous from the Bettor’s Delight mare, Dream Outloud. He is trained by Luther Lyons for Black Magic Racing, LLC and the CT Stables of Ohio. Catch The Fire became a millionaire with the winner’s share of the purse, at $1,045,000 in career earnings.

“He knows what he had to do out there,” Said Zeron after the race. “The trip worked out good. He didn’t leave as quickly as I need to but that shows you how fast they were leaving inside of me. Then when I made my move I did not know if David Miller was on a mission with Cattlewash. I knew I had Yannick right on my back and then it kinda put Backstreet Shadow in the bad spot. It all worked out great for me.

“I knew there was a passing lane at Hoosier,” Zeron explained. “I know I saw room to the outside and my horse is kinda racy and I put him right between horses and he wanted to go right threw them.”

“This horse is phenomenal,” said co-owner Greg Luther. “I was so excited to add him to the Luther Line-up this year. He is an amazing stud. He is an unbelievable fighter.

In addition to racing this season, Catch The Fire also bred 85 mares this winter at Sugar Valley Farm in Ohio.

For full race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink