Ten to line up behind gate for $500,000 Hoosier Cup

A group of 10 sophomore pacing colts including McCedes, Art Official and Dali are slated to compete in the $500,000 Hoosier Cup Saturday evening at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. This is the 12^th renewal of Indiana’s richest harness race, the featured contest on a card boasting in excess of $1.1 million in purses. The Hoosier Cup has been carded as the 11^th race on a 14-race program.

New Jersey Classic winner McCedes has been assigned post four for trainer Chris Ryder. Ryder owns the McArdle gelding, a winner of just over $300,000 this season, in partnership with Jerry Silva. Cat Manzi is listed to drive. Ryder previously won the Hoosier Cup in 2005 with Dawn ofa New Day, and sent out McCedes’ sire to a runner-up performance in 2002.

Woodrow Wilson winner Dali will start to McCedes’ inside in post three. The Real Artist colt possesses the most earnings of the group with more than $520,000. Trained by Duane Marfisi for the Uncirculated Stable of Brantford, Ont, Dali looks to bounce back from an eighth-place finish in the $1.5 Million Pepsi North America Cup. Luc Ouellette will drive.

Art Official, fresh off a five-length romp in his Hanover Stakes division June 21 at Balmoral Park, will line up behind the gate in post two. The son of 2002 Hoosier Cup victor Art Major has won four times this season for trainer Joe Seekman, his latest victory coming in a lifetime best 1:50.1. Ryan Anderson, who drove the sophomore in his Hanover triumph, will once again sit behind the Sawgrass Farms entry.

Below is the $500,000 Hoosier Cup field with listed driver and post positions:

3. Dali – Duane Marfisi – Luc Ouellette

4. McCedes – Cat Manzi – Chris Ryder

5. Scottery Tickets – Jason Dillander – Trent Stohler

6. Western Outfitter – Aaron Merriman – Jodi Schillaci

7. Duke Did It – Trace Tetrick – Chris Oakes

8. Lets Getit Started – Sam Widger – Roger Welch

9. Bradley Scott – Don Irvine Jr. – Jim Arledge Jr.

10. Tiz A Masterpiece – Jason Dillander – Trent Stohler

In addition to the Hoosier Cup, Hoosier Park will host six Indiana Sire Stakes finals Saturday night. Champions will be crowned in each of the $100,000 finals, including sophomore pacers and trotters and older pacing mares and stallion and gelding trotters.

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