by Tammy Knox, publicity director, Hoosier Park

Anderson, IN — A field of 10 horses will go to post for the 16th edition of the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational Pace on Saturday, June 20, at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino. The race will offer the richest field ever assembled for the event with career earnings topping $10.5 million. Slated as the 13th race on the 14-race card, the Dan Patch Invitational has an estimated post time of 5:01 p.m. (EDT).

Headlining the list of entrants for the Dan Patch Invitational Pace is Mister Big, harness racing’s 2007-2008 Older Pacing Horse of the Year. The 6-year-old horse has more than $3.2 million in earnings and is ranked fourth on the list of all-time leading money earning pacers in the history of the sport. Mister Big will make his second start of 2009 from post six as the morning line favorite with odds of 2-1.

Joining Mister Big as a favorite in the race is Winbak Speed, who has nine wins in 17 starts this year. The 6-year-old gelding took a new lifetime mark of 1:49 at The Meadowlands earlier this year. Winbak Speed will begin from post seven at odds of 7-2.

Another top contender for the Dan Patch Invitational is Dali, who comes into Indiana from Canada. The 4-year-old horse is undefeated in two starts this year. Trained by Duane Marfisi, Dali finished second last year in the $500,000 Hoosier Cup behind Art Official. He picks up the services of driver Ricky Macomber, Jr., who is currently second in the Hoosier Park standings and a two-time winner in the Dan Patch. The duo will start from post three at odds of 9-2.

The complete field for the Dan Patch Invitational Pace, in post position order with drivers and odds includes: Robin I Scoot (TBA, 15-1), Southwestern Dream (Trace Tetrick, 8-1), Dali (Ricky Macomber, Jr., 9-2), Rocket Fuel (Dan Shetler, 20-1), Royalton Star (Andy Shetler, 20-1), Mister Big (TBA, 2-1), Winbak Speed (TBA, 7-2), Shark Gesture (TBA, 6-1), Won The West (Greg Grismore, 12-1), and Art Official (TBA, 4-1). Art Official will begin from the second tier in post position 10.

Several other races will complement the Dan Patch Invitational Pace, including the $24,000 Gregg Haston Memorial, set at race 12. Also, four divisions of 3-year-old trotting and pacing colts and geldings will be featured in Indiana Sires Stakes action.

In addition to racing, Hoosier Park will host several other events throughout the day. Charity Chariots will provide guests with the unique opportunity to drive a racehorse around Hoosier Park’s oval beginning at 11 a.m. Guests select one of the Fab Five drivers to ride with them in a double seated jog cart. A fee of $20 is charged with all proceeds going to charity. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. near the winner’s circle.

Other activities include a Fab Five t-shirt giveaway to Club Centaur Rewards members while supplies last and children’s activities including face painting, a bounce house, and a magician. Jayne Bond and The Pink Martinis will perform two free shows on the casino floor later in the evening. The first show is set for 8 p.m. while the second show begins at 10:30 p.m.