Grand Circuit stars ready to shine at Hoosier
September 18, 2018,by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park
Anderson, IN — Grand Circuit racing action will return to Hoosier Park Racing & Casino for the third time this season on Friday (Sept. 21), and with it bring some of the top-rated horses in all of North America.
With purses topping $1.4 million, Hoosier Park will host a standout card that includes the $200,000 Caesars Trotting Classic, the $207,000 Kentuckiana Stallion Management Stakes, the $155,000 Jenna’s Beach Boy Pace, the $177,000 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby and the $120,000 Elevation Pace. First post is 6:30 p.m.
Hannelore Hanover will seek a second win in the Caesars Trotting Classic on Friday at Hoosier Park.
Millionaire and world champion Hannelore Hanover will make the return to her home state for the first time this season to headline a field of 10 in Hoosier Park’s premier trotting event, the $200,000 Caesars Trotting Classic. The 6-year-old Indiana-sired daughter of Swan for All will look to become the first horse in history to score two victories in the Caesars Trotting Classic, as she was victorious in the 2016 edition in 1:52.4. Hannelore Hanover has won six of 10 starts this season with lifetime purse earnings approaching $3 million. Trained by Ron Burke, Hannelore Hanover is scheduled to tackle the boys once again, starting from post four with Yannick Gingras slated to drive.
The $177,000 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby will feature another stellar matchup between the aged pacing stars of 2018. The 2018 Dan Patch Stakes winner Lazarus N will return to Indiana to square off against eight other rivals, including divisional leader McWicked. After making his U.S. debut at Hoosier Park and defeating McWicked in the $325,000 Dan Patch Invitational at Hoosier Park on Aug. 10, Lazarus N was second to McWicked in the $462,000 Canadian Pacing Derby at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Sept. 1. Lazarus N will start from post six for trainer Jimmy Takter while McWicked has drawn post three for trainer Casie Coleman.
Dean Gillette photos
Dan Patch Invitational winner Lazarus N returns to Indiana for the Hoosier Park Pacing Derby.
“From top to bottom, a 14-race card that can only be described as terrific,” Hoosier Park’s Vice President and General Manager, Rick Moore noted. “Mix in the fact that we will be witnessing the rubber match between Lazarus and McWicked and the return of the Indiana trotting heroine Hannelore Hanover, and you have an evening of harness racing that all of us at Hoosier Park could not be more proud to present.”
Racing fans will have the opportunity to participate in two special wagers offered on the evening’s 14-race card: A $20,000 guaranteed superfecta will be available in the $177,000 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby, slated as the 11th race on the program, and a $20,000 guaranteed superfecta in the $200,000 Caesars Trotting Classic, the 12th race on the program, both as part of the Strategic Wagering Program. Each wager has a minimum bet of 10 cents and is available through the cooperative efforts of the United States Trotting Association, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and the Indiana Standardbred Association.
Along with the live racing action, the first 1,000 guests to visit Trackside Club Centaur beginning at 11 a.m. will receive a free Caesars Trotting Classic hat. Additionally, guests can check in at any promotional kiosk to receive an entry to the $5,000 Grand Circuit Grand Prize Challenge on Nov. 10.
In conjunction with the racing action, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will host “Community Night at the Races” in honor of all of the Anderson and Madison County students. The evening celebration will include free games, activities, contests, face painting, live entertainment, carnival fare and giveaways.
Guests of Hoosier Park Racing & Casino are also invited to donate $5 to the Harness Horse Youth Foundation to receive $5 in casino cash on Friday. The goal is to raise funds to provide the HHYF to further their mission to provide young people and their families with information and experiences with harness horses in order to foster the next generation of fans and participants.
The popular harness racing podcast Post Time with Mike and Mike will join in the racing festivities as they host a live remote at Hoosier Park on Friday. Those tuning into the program will hear live interviews, racing coverage, Hoosier Park racing trivia and more.
Friday’s stakes-filled card is part of Hoosier Park’s 2018 Championship Meet, which features a $5 million stakes schedule. The 12-week championship stretch, which kicked off on Friday, Aug. 10 with the $325,000 Dan Patch Stakes, will offer an unparalleled series of high-caliber stakes races.
Related Articles:
- McWicked, Lazarus N ready to resume rivalry in Hoosier Park Pacing Derby (Tuesday, September 18, 2018)
- Huge Grand Circuit week kicks off Wednesday (Wednesday, September 19, 2018)
Grand Circuit action kicks into full gear on Wednesday (Sept. 19) at Delaware with the $230,700 Jugette for 3-year-old filly pacers.