by Tammy Knox, Publicity Director, Hoosier Park

Some of the top three-year-old colt and gelding pacers in North America are among the 82 still eligible for the Hoosier Cup. The $500,000-est. event will be the focus during closing night Saturday, June 25 when purses will be in excess of $1 million.

Headlining the list of horses still eligible for the event is Rocknroll Hanover, one of the contenders for the $1 million North America Cup at Woodbine Racecourse Saturday, June 18. Rocknroll Hanover is four for four in 2005. The son of Western Ideal is a winner of seven races in 12 career outings. Rocknroll Hanover has more than $850,000 in earnings.

Another top horse on the nomination list is Village Jolt, who was named Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year in 2004. The son of Cam’s Card Shark won six of his 10 starts and was just shy of $1 million in earnings, raking in over $918,000. Village Jolt has one win in four starts this season, taken earlier in the year at The Meadowlands.

Other three-year-olds that could make the trip to Indiana are Up Front Jerry, winner of the $169,000 Max Hempt Final at Pocono Downs in his last start, and Allamerican Inca, who finished second in the $663,000 Breeders Crown last year at two. The nomination list also contains Cam’s Fool, Jo Pa’s Shark, Mr. Delite, I Zee, Glittering Beaches, and Dawn Ofa New Day. All horses are currently racing.

The $500,000-est. Hoosier Cup heads into its ninth year. It is Indiana’s richest harness race and will be surrounded by action both on and off the track. Six Indiana Sires Stakes Finals will be carded throughout the evening, and a Classic Car Cruise-In will be held.

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Notable-

**Another Record Night In Claims. Horsemen established a new plateau for claims Saturday, June 11. A total of 11 claims were received on the 14-race program bringing in a total of $106,500, setting a record for both number of claims in one evening and amount of money spent. Also, the evening included the largest claim of the meet as Horsemen’s Financial Agency and Premier Racing Stable put up $30,000 to claim Srixon, a five-year-old son of Indiana sire The Wrath Of Pan.

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“Quotable”–

** Michael Brammer, winner of the 883 Harley Sportster given away by Benson Motorcycles, Inc. during Hogs ‘N Dogs Night – “This is a dream come true for me. I have always wanted a Harley Davidson. Now I have one. I come out to Hoosier Park all the time. I appreciate the prize. I came running down the grandstand when I heard I won.”

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Upcoming Promotions-

**Hoosier Cup Night. The 12th season of harness racing will go out with a bang, as the $500,000-est. Hoosier Cup will be featured closing night Saturday, June 25. Purses will be in excess of $1 million and a Classic Car Cruise-In will be held from 4 until 6:30 p.m. on the north parking lot. The first 1,500 Twin Spires Club members will receive a latte mug, and fans can register to win a gold money clip, Dr. Pepper Bike, and prize packs. A ladies barbershop ensemble will sing the National Anthem.

**National Handicapping Tourney Set For July. Hoosier Park will host a preliminary round for the Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association (DRF/NTRA) Handicapping Tournament. The winner of Hoosier Park’s event will receive $7,000 and a trip to the finals in Las Vegas in January 2006. Also, the first place winner in the Saturday, July 2 qualifier will be the only member from the Hoosier Park tournament eligible for the $1,000,000 bonus. The bonus is being presented by the Twin Spires Club of Churchill Downs and all of its racetracks and will be awarded to any handicapper that successfully wins a qualifying round at a Churchill Downs-owned facility and then goes on to win the NTRA/DRF National Handicapping Tournament. The top eight places are awarded cash prizes at Hoosier Park with the top three advancing to the finals in Las Vegas.

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Don’t Forget –

** Live harness racing is conducted Wednesday through Sunday until Saturday, June 25 with a first post at 6:45 p.m. Simulcasting is offered seven days a week. Doors open daily at 11 a.m.