Full fields for Hoosier Park opener Saturday

Hoosier Park will kick off the 15th season of Standardbred racing Saturday, April 5. A total of 14 races will be held beginning at 6:45 p.m., with 12 of the contests offering full fields. The program is highlighted by two $23,000 Invitationals.

The first feature of the night is slated for race 10, which has an estimated post time of 9:56 p.m. Ten horses will vie for the title in the Invitational Pace, including newcomers Up Front Peyton and Green River Gorge. Up Front Peyton, hailing from the Dick Macomber Stable, took a career best time of 1:50.4 earlier this season at Pompano Park. The son of Dragon Again has two wins in eight outings for 2008. He starts from post eight for Ricky Macomber Jr., Hoosier Park’s 2007 leading driver.

Also making his Indiana debut is Green River Gorge, another contender from Pompano Park. The four-year-old son of The Panderosa recorded a new lifetime mark of 1:51.3 in Florida for trainer-driver Rick Schaut, a newcomer to Indiana. Green River Gorge and Schaut recently competed in the $267,000 Isle of Capri at Pompano Park, which included some of the best older horses in the nation. The duo has been assigned the outside post position nine for the contest.

Search Engine and Rocket Fuel, both Indiana Sires Stakes champions during their three year old campaigns of 2007, are stepping up to the open ranks Saturday. Search Engine will start from the rail for driver Mark O'Mara while Jay Cross will guide Rocket Fuel from post three.

Invitational trotters will take the track for race 12. Several stars from the past are included in the 10-horse lineup. Big Boy Josh, former track record holder at Hoosier Park, starts from post four with trainer-driver Charlie Conrad at the controls. Chiva’s Rocket and Hoosier Park’s all-time leading driver Don Irvine Jr. will begin from post 10 while California Joe and Joe Putnam will score from post one.

Racing will be complemented by several activities opening night, including live entertainment provided by The Late Show band. Activities begin at 5 p.m. and the first 1,500 Hoosier Park Rewards members age 21 and over receive a free Dan Patch t-shirt. Strolling entertainment will also be provided along with food and drink specials. Free barn tours will also be conducted beginning at 5:15 p.m. (Hoosier Park)

« Back