by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — As Al Michaels once said, “Do you believe in Miracles?” While it might not be of the same magnitude as the United States beating the Soviets in the 1980 Winter Olympics, Ron Burke certainly believes in his 3-year-old pacing colt, Dedi’s Dragon, after tonight’s stunning performance.

Linscott photo

Dedi’s Dragon and Yannick Gingras won the $252,000 Monument Circle Friday night at Hoosier Park.

At odds of 43-1, Dedi’s Dragon pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season as he was able to wear down the overwhelmingly favored, Captaintreacherous, late in the stretch to win the $252,000 Monument Circle pace for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, November 1. Driver Yannick Gingras was able to work out a perfect, second-over trip to get the sophomore colt home in 1:50.4.

Fool Me Once and Ron Pierce were the quickest off the starting gate and reached the first panel in :26 flat. Captaintreacherous and Tim Tetrick, sent off at odds of 1-9, moved to the front as the field straightened away down the backstretch and led the field of ten through the first half mile in :55. David Miller and Beach Memories were the first to take aim at the leader as the field approached the final turn with Dedi’s Dragon and Gingras in tow.

As the field reached the three-quarter clocking in 1:23.1, Tetrick began to ask Captaintreacherous for more as the rest of the field closed in. Gingras had Dedi’s Dragon perfectly placed second-over and when he tipped the horse three-wide down the stretch, the 3-year-old son of Dragon Again responded with a :26.4 final quarter to win by a head over the grudgingly reluctant Captaintreacherous.

“Ronnie (Burke) told me that the horse warmed up better than he ever has,” Gingras noted of his mount. “We were hoping for second in here tonight but he post paraded good and the trip worked out perfectly for us. I saw Tim’s horse (Captaintreacherous) was laboring but I didn’t think we could catch him, he’s a champion, but my horse raced unbelievable tonight.”

Notching his fourth win from twenty seasonal outings, Dedi’s Dragon established a new lifetime best mark with the victory. Dedi’s Dragon has now amassed $687,660 for his connections at Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, P. Collura, and T. Hendler.

“This is obviously the biggest win of his career,” Burke noted in the winner’s circle. “Oddly enough, he seems to race his best races when he is racing this horse (Captaintreacherous). He does his best work on a big track but we came here tonight hoping for second and he surprised us all. Captaintreacherous is a champion but Yannick just had this horse in the right place at the right time tonight.”

Gingras and Burke teamed up twice more to find the winner’s circle on a stakes filled night at Hoosier Park. JK Endofanera (Art Major- Presidential Lady) kicked things off with a victory in the $157,100 Elevation Pace for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers. Notching his third win of the season, JK Endofanera established a new track record for 2-year-old pacing colts with his 1:51.4 score.

Pink Camo and Gingras found the winner’s circle again for the Burke Team in the $32,800 Circle City pace for 3-year-old pacing fillies setting off a sign for things to come.