by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — The sport’s top trotters were showcased in the $230,000 Centaur Trotting Classic at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino during an action-packed 14-race card on Saturday (Sept. 21). Uncle Peter, with David Miller at the lines, became the sport’s newest millionaire and shattered the track record for older horses on the trot when he powered home a winner in 1:52.3.

The previous track record of 1:54 was established earlier this year by Don Giovanni and Benny Christensen. The 1:52.3 victory marks the 17th track record that has been re-established over Hoosier Park’s seven-eighths-mile oval this season.

Linscott Photography

Uncle Peter nipped Market Share in a track record time of 1:52.3.

Slightly dismissed at the windows at 6-1, Uncle Peter rallied from well off the pace to notch his fourth win of the season.

In a full field of ten, Wishing Stone and Yannick Gingras were the quickest from the gate and reached the opening panel in a snappy :27. Miller sent Uncle Peter off the gate just enough to grab position along the rail in third while the heavily favored Market Share was next in line in fourth.

Wishing Stone continued to dictate fractions of :56.1 and 1:25.2 before ever being contested. As the field rounded the final turn, Tim Tetrick could wait no longer and sent Market Share to the front with My MVP and Ron Pierce in tow.

Wishing Stone and Market Share matched strides down the homestretch while Uncle Peter loomed large in the background. Using a :26.4 final panel, Uncle Peter saved his best for last and was able to get a nose in front of Market Share at the wire. My MVP held on gamely for the third place finish.

Uncle Peter returned $15.40 at the windows.

“He has been a great horse to drive all season,” David Miller noted in the winner’s circle. “I wanted to leave to get some position and the trip worked out for us tonight. Coming around the last turn I thought we might run out of race track but every time I asked him he kept on coming. He raced really tough tonight.”

Trained by Jimmy Takter, Uncle Peter has now won four of 13 starts while bankrolling $377,732 this season for his connections of Christina Takter, Brixton Medical Ab, John and Jim Fielding, and Goran Falk. Sired by Cantab Hall, the 4-year-old horse sent his career bankroll over the $1 million mark with the victory.

Live racing at Hoosier Park will follow a Tuesday-Saturday schedule, with a daily post time of 5:30 p.m. The 160-day, all harness racing meet will be conducted through Nov. 9.