Anderson, IN — Drink Up Drink Up doubled up in the $22,000 Open Trot at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, repeating with a front-end score from the far outside post with Brandon Bates in the bike for trainer Walter Haynes Jr. Friday (March 13).
Sent off as the 3-1 third choice from post eight, Bates hustled Drink Up Drink Up into the fold racing three-deep on the first turn in second with Easter Jack (Kyle Husted) tripping the timer at the quarter from between horses in :27. Easter Jack was able to cross over to the cones before releasing Drink Up Drink Up to the engine on the backstretch, leading the field to the halfway point in :56.3. Bates was able to grab a breather for Drink Up Drink Up on the final turn, racing into the wind towards the three-quarter pole in 1:27.1.
Cutting the quarter sharply, Drink Up Drink Up was able to build a two-length advantage midway through the lane with Easter Jack in pursuit and race favorite Dover In Motion (Ricky Macomber Jr.) beginning to rally along the cones. The two chasers closed in on the leader in deep stretch but Drink Up Drink Up valiantly dug in to hold Easter Jack at bay by a half-length in 1:55.4. Dover In Motion closed for the third spot, a length back at the wire.
Trained by Walter Haynes Jr., Drink Up Drink Up has won two of four on the year and 21 times for his career. The 6-year-old gelded son of Trixton-Homefortheholidays is owned by Adam Friedland and Brian Carsey, and now boasts a career bankroll of $381,658 following the victory.
Racing will return to Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Thursday, March 19 with a first post of 5:30 p.m. Racing will continues on a Thursday and Friday two-day schedule for the remainder of March before the addition of Wednesdays in April.
For more information on the 2026 live racing season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, guests are encouraged to visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.