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

Anderson, IN — Two veterans in the sport earned a first on Saturday, May 1, at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. The Windsurfer A, accompanied by Australian driver Darren Hancock, earned their first win on American soil, taking home the top prize in the $10,000 conditioned trot, scoring by open lengths in a time of 1:56.4. Hancock relocated to the United States in late February, choosing Indiana as his temporary home for the duration of his stay.

Linscott Photography

The Windsurfer A and driver Darren Hancock made their first visit to the Hoosier Park winner’s circle.

Starting from the center of the pack, The Windsurfer A rallied out early and found a perfect resting place, sitting at the back of Matilda Coe and Sam Widger through the quarter in :28.2. Cuda Boy and Ricky Macomber blasted out and rallied to the lead, taking control of the race at the half in :56.4. The duo continued their swift stride, opening up on the field by more than four lengths around the turn.

In the stretch, several horses began to close in on Cuda Boy, including The Windsurfer A. Hancock eased the 9-year-old son of Classic Adam to the outside and found another gear, scooting by and opening up on Cuda Boy to win by 3-1/4 lengths. Matilda Coe held gamely for third.

“It’s a good feeling to get my first win,” said Hancock, who adapted to new American-style orange and black colors. “He (The Windsurfer A) has been going right along, and I thought he had a chance in this field tonight. He has been a good horse for us. We bought him from Melbourne and raised $50,000 with him in 20 starts. He never missed a check for us before we came to the United States.”

The Windsurfer A now has 18 wins in 128 career starts. Prior to his win, he brought Hancock close to the winner’s circle, scoring a second and third in four prior starts at Hoosier Park.

Hancock is an accomplished driver in Australia. His biggest win was recorded in the prestigious Inter Dominion Pace at Gloucester in 2004 and he has been the driver behind some of the country’s best harness horses.

Hancock left behind a farm and racing operation to explore the racing industry in the United States. He is accompanied by his wife, Anita, and two sons, Branden, age eight, and Corey, age five, along with his former brother-in-law, Leon Jerd. Jerd recently returned to Australia to look for additional horses that might possibly be candidates for racing in the United States.

The Hancocks are currently stabled at Marvin Chambers’ farm just north of Hoosier Park and plan to race at Indiana Downs at the conclusion of the meet before heading back to Australia in the fall. They brought five horses from their native land and currently have four competing at Hoosier Park.