Local 17-1 longshot upsets in $310,000 Dan Patch

The 30^th annual Dan Patch Stakes featured a record 11 free-for-allers racing for a purse of $310,000 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Friday (Aug. 11), and when the dust settled it was 17-1 longshot Ponda Warrior (Rockin Image) that provided a thrilling harness racing win in front of his home crowd for local connections.

The race featured many of the top older horses in North America and fastest out of the gate was Lou’s Pearlman (David Miller) as they took the lead away from Abuckabett Hanover (Scott Zeron) by the first quarter in :26.1.

Then in quick succession, Linedrive Hanover (James MacDonald) brushed to the lead and then Zeron came out with Abuckabett Hanover to take command by the half mile in :53.1.

Then it was Charlie May and driver Brett Miller coming first-over, followed on the outside by Tellmeaboutit (Michael Oosting), third over Little Rocket Man (John De Long) and fourth over Ponda Warrior and driver Kyle Wilfong.

Past the three-quarters in a smart 1:20.3, it became a two-horse battle down the stretch between Abuckabett Hanover and Charlie May. And halfway down the stretch it looked as if Charlie May was pulling forward when out of the middle of the pack came Ponda Warrior who zoomed right by the two leaders and went on to win by two lengths in 1:48. Charlie May was second with Abuckabett Hanover third.

PONDA WARRIOR REPLAY

For driver Kyle Wilfong, a regular at Hoosier Park, it was not only his first drive ever in the Dan Patch Stakes, but also his first time ever driving Ponda Warrior.

“I can’t put it into words,” Wilfong said. “It was the greatest win of my life. Even though he only raced once this year because he had some bad luck, he raced huge. We knew going into this we had a good chance.”

For Ponda Warrior, a four-year-old Indiana-sired, -bred, and -owned stallion, it was a lifetime mark of 1:48 in only his second start of the season. He is trained by Indiana-based Jay Hochstetler, who co-owns Ponda Warrior with Finkelberg Racing and South Of The Tracks Racing. He paid $36.60 to win.

“I have believed in this horse since day one,” said Hochstetler after the victory. “He is such a special animal to me. Winning this race with this horse, which I picked out at the sale, is what dreams are made of. It’s just absolutely incredible. This is what I’ve always dreamed about.”

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

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink

Skyway Brittney pulls 20-1 shocker in the Tom D. Tetrick Memorial

Over the course of the of the Dan Patch Stakes undercard, The Buckeye, David Miller, was feeling right at home in the Hoosier State, picking up three winners on the evening. The final of those victories came with Skyway Brittney, rallying  up the rail at 21-1 to score the upset in the $40,000 Tom D. Tetrick Memorial for filly and mare invite pacers.

Leaving from post two in the field of ten, Miller put Skyway Brittney into play early, landing in third as Maggie Rhee and Joey Putnam cut the opening quarter in a hot 26:2. Miller was content to maintain his place third on the rail as The Pantheist A and Atlee Bender jumped to her outside, leading the charge first-up as Maggie Rhee continued to lead through a half of 54:2. The field began to bunch on the far turn as Maggie Rhee began to feel pressure on the front end at three-quarters in 1:23:0 with Skyway Brittney searching for daylight pinned on the rail in fifth.

The pacing mares turned for home setting the stage for a calvary charge to the finish. With the leader Maggie Rhee drifting off the pylons at the top of the stretch, Miller and Skyway Brittney were poised for a clear shot up the passing lane to victory. Powering home with a 27:0 final quarter, Skyway Brittney took command late in the lane to score the victory by a length in 1:50:3. Elektra A and Kyle Wilfong rallied for place, with The Pantheist A digging in gamely for the show spot.

SKYWAY BRITTNEY REPLAY

Trained and co-owned by Zach Miller along with Dessa Miller, Skyway Brittney picked up her fourth victory of the season in her 13^th seasonal outing. Bred by Lyle Dean Slabach, the daughter of Rockin Image-Blazing Blaire has now banked $275,685 for her career.

Crooked Smile Grind Out a Victory in The Haston Memorial

After winning the Open Pace at Running Aces last week, Crooked Smile returned to Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and turned in a dominant effort to capture the $40,000 Gregg Haston Memorial Pace in 1:50.1. After being parked for much of the mile, Crooked Smile found a :27 closing kick to put a head in front of Rocks Shining Star and David Miller.

Putnam urged Crooked Smile off the gate but a host of others also left alertly. General Dolan was the first to get a call through the opening panel in :26.4. Unable to find a spot along the rail, Crooked Smile remained parked through the middle splits of :55.1 and 1:23. Turning for home, Rocks Shining Star was able to wear down General Dolan but his biggest threat was still behind him. Putnam tipped Crooked Smile off cover and he surged late to get up in the final strides of the mile.

“He raced huge tonight,” Putnam noted after the victory. “To win off of that trip is awesome. It’s always nice to get a win on a big night like this and this horse deserved that win.”

CROOKED SMILE REPLAY

Trained by Tim Wilson Jr., Crooked Smile recorded his fourth win from 17 starts this season. Owned in partnership by Wilson Racing & Turn For Home LLC, the gelded son of Panther Hanover—Amilewidesmile notched his 25^th lifetime win from 103 trips behind the gate.

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

by Kimberly French, for Harrah’s Hoosier Park