Big Gulp quenches fans thirst

It is a very long stretch at Harrah’s Hoosier Park and Big Gulf needed every foot of it in capturing the $22,000 Open Pace Friday evening.

The ninth race harness racing feature saw Big Gulp and driver Brandon Bates leave from post six and they led the field to the opening quarter mile in :27.3 with Goldie’s Legacy (John Delong) sitting the pocket seat.

Then on their way to the half mile, Delong pulled the pocket and took command away from Big Gulp before the half mile marker in :56.1.

On their way to the three-quarters, Americanprimetime (Mike Oosting) started up first-over giving live cover to Bet Mine (Kyle Wilfong) as the field passed the three-quarters in 1:25.1.

As the field came down the stretch, Bates swung Big Gulp to the outside and they were able to pass a tiring Goldie’s Legacy and then was able to hold off a late closing Bet Mine to win by a long neck in 1:52. Caviart Lotus (Sam Widger) was third.

BIG GULP REPLAY

It was the fifth win this year for Big Gulp, a four-year-old gelded son of Always A Virgin, trained by Walter Haynes, Jr. for owners Jeff Fought Racing and Brian Carsey. He paid $3.80 to win as the wagering favorite.

In the eighth race $21,500 final of The Diamond Series for claiming pacers, Blacklist Z Tam and driver Brandon Bates got perfect live second-over cover from the parked-out race favorite Commentariat (Sam Widger) and came on in the final strides to win by a neck in 1:53.

Commentariat was second with Evergreen Elite (Kyle Wilfong) third. It was the first win in nine starts this year for Blacklist Z Tam, an eight-year-old gelding by Always A Virgin, who is trained by Hector Herrera for Garcia Power, Inc. He paid $19.20 to win.

BLACKLIST Z TAM REPLAY

For full race results, click here.

By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink