$325,000 Dan Patch Stakes field set

ANDERSON, Ind.– August 11, 2021-A field of ten will be sent post-ward in the $325,000 Dan Patch Stakes at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, August 13. Ten of the top rated older harness racing pacers in North America will take center stage as they go to post seeking fame in the 28th installment of Hoosier Park’s premier harness racing event.

The 2021 installment of the Dan Patch Stakes will highlight the 15-race program that is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be supported by an all-star undercard of racing action. The purse money to be distributed throughout the evening will push the $650,000 mark.

With combined career purse earnings over $9 million, the talented field of ten includes two World Champions and four millionaires. North America’s leading money-winning trainer, Ron Burke will send out a strong contingent of three in the field as he looks to score his third training victory in the Dan Patch Stakes.

After an impressive 1:47.2 score in the Sam McKee Memorial at the Meadowlands last week, Catch The Fire and Scott Zeron will play the role of morning line favorite from post four at odds of 3-1. Trained by Todd Luther, the four-year-old son of Captaintreacherous-Dream Outloud has won six of nine starts this season. With a win, Catch The Fire would send his lifetime purse earnings over the $1 million mark.

As the richest horse in the field with over $2 million in lifetime purse earnings, This Is The Plan has been enlisted as the 7-2 second choice from post three. With Yannick Gingras listed to drive, the six-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere-That’s The Plan will make his way back to Hoosier Park after clocking the fastest mile of the season with 1:47.3 score in the Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park earlier this season.

With $629,104 in purse earnings already amassed this season, the World Champion will look to add to his bankroll and secure his first Dan Patch trophy after finishing sixth in the same event last year. Backstreet Shadow has been enlisted as the third choice on the morning line at 4-1.

With Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s all-time leading driver Trace Tetrick listed to drive, the five-year-old son of Shadow Play-Backstreet Sweetie will be looking to score his first Harrah’s Hoosier Park victory.

Also included in the celebrated field of ten are Little Rocket Man and Tellmeaboutit who will play the role of local fan favorites starting from post six and nine, respectively. John DeLong has been enlisted to drive Little Rocket Man for trainer Missy Essig while Michael Oosting will be the pilot for Tellmeaboutit and trainer Alvin Miller.

With multiple Indiana Sires Stakes wins to their credit, Little Rocket Man and Tellmeaboutit have combined 43 lifetime wins over the Hoosier Park surface.

The 2021 Dan Patch field, in post-position order with named driver and trainer includes:

1. Sintra                                        Tr: David Menary                Dr: Jody Jamieson                 M/L: 10-1
2. Workin OnA Mystery                Tr: Brian Brown                   Dr: Todd McCarthy                   M/L: 12-1
3. This Is The Plan                         Tr: Ron Burke                     Dr: Yannick Gingras                  M/L: 7-2
4. Catch The Fire                           Tr: Todd Luther                   Dr: Scott Zeron                          M/L: 3-1
5. Cattlewash                                 Tr: Ron Burke                      Dr: David Miller                        M/L: 9-2
6. Little Rocket Man                      Tr: Melissa Essig                 Dr: John De Long                      M/L: 20-1
7. Brassy Hanover                         Tr: Jeff Cullipher                 Dr: Brian Sears                          M/L: 8-1
8. No Lou Zing                             Tr: Nancy Takter                 Dr: Dexter Dunn                         M/L: 15-1
9. Tellmeaboutit                            Tr: Alvin Miller                  Dr: Michael Oosting                  M/L: 30-1
10. Backstreet Shadow                    Tr: Ron Burke                    Dr: Trace Tetrick                        M/L: 4-1

The race will be part of a special weekend tagged as “Dan Patch Festival Weekend”. Hoosier Park will showcase some of the most notable names in harness racing alongside special wagers, free prizes, giveaways, food trucks and ice cream.

Racing fans will have the opportunity to participate in two special wagers offered for the Dan Patch card. A $25,000 Guaranteed Dan Patch Superfecta pool will be available along with a $15,000 Guaranteed Hoosier-High

Five pool on the last race of the program as part of the Strategic Wagering Program. Each wager is available through the cooperative efforts of the United States Trotting Association, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and the Indiana Standardbred Association. A free online live racing program for the entire card will also be available on the Harrah’s Hoosier Park website.

Six lucky racing fans will have the opportunity to place a $250 win bet on the horse of their choice in the Dan Patch Stakes. Harrah’s Hoosier Park will also be giving away $1,000 cash immediately following the Dan Patch race. Racing fans can enter to win the megabets and $1,000 cash prize at any trackside promotional kiosk beginning at 5 p.m.

The Dan Patch festivities will also include a driver autograph session, family-friendly activities, special giveaways in the winner’s circle, and an official Dan Patch duffle bag free to the first 500 guests, beginning at 5 p.m. Slated as the thirteenth race on the card, estimated post time for the Dan Patch Stakes is 11:00 p.m.

The festival weekend will continue into Saturday with free, family-fun activities. At the conclusion of live racing on Saturday, Cook and Belle will perform a free show in the Terrace Showroom. For more information on the upcoming entertainment or live racing schedule, click here. 

by Emily Ratcliff, for Harrah’s Hoosier Park