Long shot nearly wins $220,000 Monument Circle

It was nearly a major upset in the $220,000 Monument Circle as a 58-1 long shot almost wired the field, losing in deep stretch to the race favorite in the three-year-old colt pace stake at Hoosier Park Friday.

Gamblin Mo and driver Sam Widger shot out to the early lead in the 12^th race feature as Virgo (Trace Tetrick) sat the pocket trip to the 58-1 long shot as they went to the quarter in :26.2 and then the half mile in :53.4.

Heart Of Chewbacca (Tim Tetrick) then game first-over with race favorite Bulldog Hanover (John De Long) moving into second-over.

Tipping to the outside on the final turn, Bulldog Hanover began to bear out as Gamblin Mo still lead at the three-quarters in 1:21.

Still bearing out past the middle of the stretch, Bulldog Hanover turned it on and sped past Gamblin Mo to win by three and one-half lengths in 1:48.4. Gambling Mo held for second with Whichwaytothebeach (Andy McCarthy) third.

BULLDOG HANOVER REPLAY

The time of the race tied the Monument Circle Pace stakes record that is now co-held by Downbytheseaside (2017), Cattlewash (2020) and now Bulldog Hanover.

A colt by Shadow Play, it was the eighth win in 12 starts for Bulldog Hanover. He is trained by John Darling and owned by the Jack Darling Stables and Brad Grant of Ontario. He paid $2.80 to win.

“The trip we got was a lot better than I thought we would,” said John De Long. “The way it worked out was perfect. He gets on the left line a little bit, he kinda drifted but he was pacing so fast I didn’t want to slow him up.”

For full race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink