by Tammy Knox, Publicity Director, Hoosier Park

A field of 11 three-year-old pacers will go to post for the eighth edition of the $500,000-est. Hoosier Cup Saturday, May 29. No elimination rounds for the Hoosier Cup will be held on the 15-race program that includes purse money of $1,176,700.

Scheduled as the 10th race of the night, the Hoosier Cup has attracted horses from all over the nation. Metropolitan, who starts from the second tier post of 11, will most likely be selected as the morning line favorite. John Campbell is scheduled to drive the son of The Panderosa for trainer Chris Ryder. Metropolitan makes only his second start of 2004, coming into the race off a career best time of 1:50.3 at The Meadowlands.

Joining Metropolitan as a likely favorite is Skydancer Hanover from the Mark Harder Stable. The sophomore son of Western Hanover has four wins in five starts this season, earning a new lifetime mark of 1:51.0 two starts back in an elimination of the Max Hempt at Pocono Downs. Skydancer Hanover will be guided by Daniel Dube from post two.

Rupert Boneham of Survivor will make a special guest appearance and one lucky fan will win a new car courtesy of Payton Wells Automotive Group. Gates open at 5 p.m. with the first race at 6:45 p.m. Estimated post time for the Hoosier Cup is 10:01 p.m. EST.

# # #

Notable-

**World Record In Jeopardy. The world record for 9-16ths of a mile is in jeopardy Hoosier Cup Night. A field of eight will attempt to lower the current mark of 1:02.1 set at Delmarva Downs. The record was set by RB’s Big Boy in 1993 and Lynn’s Chief in 1994. The 9-16th mile event is slated as the sixth race on the program.

**Rags To Riches Weekend. A special evening of racing is slated for Friday, May 28 to move into Hoosier Cup Night. Rags to Riches Night will kick off the holiday weekend, featuring 15 races of $5,000 claiming horses. All races go for purses of $5,500 and each race handling 12 starters will receive an added bonus. All horses entered in this event will earn at least $50 for starting in the race.

**One Hundred Grander Included Hoosier Cup Night. Ten older pacers will vie for the title in a special $100,000 Invitational during Hoosier Cup Night. The race, set as the ninth on the card, brings back two horses from this year’s Dan Patch Invitational. Foxy Maneuver, fourth place finisher in the Dan Patch, and Eaton Road Kill, second place finisher in the Dan Patch, are included in the race. Boulder Creek

# # #

“Quotable”–

**Renee Asher-Davis, food service manager, on reservations for Belmont Stakes Day — “Reservations are very strong already for Belmont Stakes Day. We are going to have a special buffet titled with connections from the Belmont.”

# # #

Upcoming Promotions-

**Register To Win A Car Every Saturday. Payton Wells Auto Group of Anderson will give one lucky fan the choice between a Ford Focus, Dodge Neon, or KIA Spectra Saturday, May 29 during Hoosier Cup Night. Ten names have been drawn each Saturday throughout the meet to enter the final drawing. Ten more names will be added Saturday before the final 10 semi-finalists are determined. Each of the semi-finalists will receive a key to one of the cars for the drawing, with the winner starting up the car with the key. The car giveaway is slated after the eighth race.

**Join Us For The “Smarty Party.” Smarty Jones will attempt to join elite company Saturday, June 5 when he goes for the Triple Crown in the 136th running of the Belmont Stakes. Gates will open at 8:30 a.m. for the event, and reservations are being taken in the Homestretch Restaurant for a special buffet during the day.

**Cruise On Out For Closing Night. Hoosier Park will close out its 11th season of harness racing Saturday, June 12 with a Classic Car Cruise-In sponsored by Gold 104.5. The evening will include free admission and special giveaways throughout the night.

# # #

Don’t Forget-

**Live harness racing continues through Saturday, June 12, 2004. Post times are 6:45 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.