Anderson, IN – In a dominant performance at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, Drink Up Drink Up, driven by Brandon Bates for trainer Walter Haynes Jr., took down the $22,000 Open Trot on Wednesday (April 8) for his fourth win in his last five outings.
Shooting out of the gate from his drawn post 5, the favorite Drink Up Drink Up glided to the front, beating Finite (driven by Trace Tetrick) to the first turn in :28.2. Down the backstretch in :57.4, the trotters raced single file with Drink Up Drink Up at the helm followed closely by Finite and Big Boys Edge (Clint Coy).
The first to buck the trend and move to the outside, from fourth, was the lone mare in the race, Triathlon As. She was stalked by Operator (Marcus Miller) from second-over as Triathlon As trotted into third on the final turn, with Drink Up Drink Up leading to three-quarters in 1:27.2.
Advancing down the stretch, Finite took aim to challenge the leader before losing momentum as Drink Up Drink Up’s lead grew to a length. Traveling along the outside, Operator continued mustering a rally to pull past Triathlon As and Finite. Leading from the start, Drink Up Drink Up reached the wire in 1:54.4 to win by a measured three-quarters of a length with the ear plugs still in place. Operator rallied for second and Finite was third.
Drink Up Drink Up, a 6-year-old Trixton gelding owned by Adam Friedland and Brian Carsey, claimed his fourth win of the season and increased his lifetime earnings to $410,058. Drink Up Drunk Up returned $4.20 to win as the even-money favorite.
Live racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park continues Thursday (April 9) with a 5:30 p.m. post time. The 14-race Thursday program features a $15,000 guaranteed Late Pick-4 (races 11-14), in addition to a $10,000 guaranteed late High-5 (race 14), with both guarantees offered in partnership with the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program.