Buzzsaw Russ very sharp for Dan Patch

What’s in a name? Charlie Weaver always hopes it’s a bit of good fortune.

Whenever Weaver shares ownership of a harness racing horse with his friend Russell Beeman, he includes his partner’s name in the horse’s name.

“He picks the horses, and I pick the names,” Weaver said. “I name them after Russ because Russ was always lucky. That’s why I tag along with him. After we had success with the first horse we had together, I said I was hanging onto his belt and going for the ride.”

The ride has been pretty good, particularly when it comes to 4-year-old male pacer Buzzsaw Russ (Rockin Image-Up Front Cruiser). He has hit the board in 23 of 34 career races, winning 12 and earning $539,754. He was an Indiana Sire Stakes champion at age 2.

On Friday, Buzzsaw Russ will head to the $300,000 Dan Patch Stakes for older male pacers at Harrah’s Hoosier Park as the 5-2 morning-line favorite. He will start from post three in a field of 10 with John DeLong driving for trainer Missy Essig.

Buzzsaw Russ has won three of his past four races, including a 1:48.3 score in his most recent on July 26 in the Open at Hoosier Park. He stopped the clock in 1:48.4 in his two victories prior to that.

“When he’s on his game, he’s very tough,” said Beeman, who is in the timber industry. “When you take him to race, he knows what he’s fixin’ to do. When he comes off a helmet, he’s quick. He can come home in 25 seconds if he gets a trip at all.

“He’s sharp right now, and hopefully he’s sharp (Friday).”

Beeman counts millionaire pacer Little Rocket Man, a three-time participant in the Dan Patch with a best finish of fourth twice, among his top horses. Weaver said Buzzsaw Russ is the best horse he’s ever owned.

“I’ve had some nice ones, but nothing like him,” Weaver said. “He’s a dream horse. He’s fast, he’s easy to work around, and he always tries. He’s got so much speed on the end of the mile and John DeLong does a good job driving him and knows him well. Missy and her husband, Joe, do a great job with the horses. They’re the reason for his success.

“When it’s time to race, (Buzzsaw Russ) knows what day it is, and he wants to win.”

Friday’s Dan Patch Stakes field includes Rocknroll Runa A, who won last week’s Sam McKee Memorial at odds of 68-1 at The Meadowlands. He will start from post six with Mark MacDonald driving for trainer Larry Stalbaum and is the 7-2 second choice on the morning line. Next, at 4-1, is Coach Stefanos, who won last week’s Open at Hoosier Park. He will leave from post seven with Trace Tetrick in the sulky for Erv Miller.

“Everyone in the field is wanting to win that race, and we’d like to win it,” Weaver said. “But the world doesn’t come to an end if you don’t. It’s horseracing.”

The Dan Patch Stakes card will air live on Fox Sports 2 from 8-11 p.m. (EDT) with Gabe Prewitt and Jessica Otten on site to offer analysis. Racing begins at 6:15 p.m. with the 31st edition of the Dan Patch slated for 10:38 p.m. as race 13.

For free programs, visit the Harrah’s Hoosier Park website.

by Ken Weingartner, for the USTA