by Tammy Knox, director of race marketing affairs, Hoosier Park

Anderson, IN — Elliott Deaton earned his 2,000th career win on Tuesday (June 21) at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Deaton brought home Bigboppr Bluegrass in the second race of the night to reach the milestone.

A native of Middletown, Ohio, Deaton first got involved with racing through trips with his parents to nearby Lebanon Raceway. In 1985, he began working around the barns at the age of 20 and started driving in the pari-mutuel ranks in 1991. Deaton has continued to perfect his skills, mainly on the Ohio circuit. He has been one of the leading drivers for the past decade at both Lebanon Raceway and Northfield Park.

“I don’t remember who I was driving for my 1,000th career win, but it was at Northfield Park,” said Deaton. “It’s a relief to finally get my 2,000th win.”

Linscott Photography

Elliott Deaton posted career win number 2,000 on Tuesday.

With Bigboppr Bluegrass, Deaton got away in mid-pack and followed cover out around the final turn. In the stretch, he was able to get the horse out around traffic and pace strong to the wire for the commanding win by three lengths in a time of 1:55.4, the pacer’s 29th career win. The one-time Indiana Sires Stakes contender earned his first win of 2011 and is nearing the $150,000 career earnings mark for owners Brad and Gavin Bixler. Bigboppr Bluegrass paid $14.00 to win the $6,000 claiming event.

“I used to drive this horse (Bigboppr Bluegrass) at Northfield,” said Deaton. “If you keep this horse covered up, he can really kick home.”

Deaton added another win to his credentials on the Tuesday evening program, guiding Iknowwhatboyslike in the 12th race of the night. Deaton used similar strategy with the trotter, moving second over and closing strong in the stretch, winning the conditioned race by 1-1/4 lengths as the race favorite in a time of 1:58.2. Trained by his brother, Mark, Iknowwhatboyslike earned her sixth win of 2011 for owner Kevin Ehrhardt.

Deaton is currently 15th in the drivers’ standings for 2011. He has 12 wins during the 80-day season at Hoosier Park in limited starts. The 46-year-old driver has been in and out of Indiana since the 2000 season. His best showing to date was a third place finish in the standings during the 2006 season. Since that time, he has been consistently among the track’s top 10 drivers, finishing ninth in 2010.

For more information on Hoosier Park, visit www.hoosierpark.com.