by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Don Giovanni, with Benny Christensen at the lines, shattered a 15-year-old track record for older horses on the trot when he powered home a winner in 1:54 in the $24,000 Invitational Trot on Saturday (May 4) at Hoosier Park. The previous record of 1:54.3 was established by Sonoran Sunrise and driver/trainer Mark O’Mara in 1998.

Linscott Photography

Don Giovanni and Benny Christensen set a track record in the featured $24,000 trot at Hoosier Park.

Leaving from post five as the public’s choice, Christensen left no room for error as he sent Don Giovanni to the front through an opening quarter in : 27. The 8-year-old gelding relaxed nicely from the point position as he led the gapped out field of ten down the backside through a second panel in :56.2. Solvent and Jason Dillander benefitted from a pocket trip while Rick Farrington had CJ’s Rascal well placed in third. M T Ur Pockets and Andy Shetler were the first to commit to the outer flow as Ed Hensley and Foggy Lane K followed suit.

As the field rounded the final turn, Don Giovanni began to put his talent on display and trotted away from the field through a three-quarter clocking in 1:25.4. The gelding appeared to be on cruise control as he crossed the wire ten lengths in front of his closest competitor. Solvent trotted evenly to finish second while M T Ur Pockets rallied from off the pace to round out the trifecta.

As the heavy betting favorite, Don Giovanni returned $4.80 to his backers. With more than $155,000 in purse earnings to his credit, Don Giovanni notched his 12th career victory in 58 outings. Owned by Ely Rishaug Iverson of Oslo, Norway, Don Giovanni recorded his first victory of the 2013 season.

“When you try to win the race before the race, it never works that way, but I knew this horse would be good tonight,” Christensen noted. “It’s a new track so I didn’t know exactly what to expect and I have all the respect for the other horses in this race, but this horse is a special horse. He does his own thing sometimes out there, but he’s crazy, I’m crazy, we make a good team.”

The 15-year-old record for older horses on the trot was established by Sonoran Sunrise on August 7, 1998. Sired by Royal Prestige, Sonoran Sunset was a 5-year-old when he set the track record over Hoosier Park’s seven-eighths-mile oval with Mark O’Mara in the sulky. With more than $540,000 in lifetime earnings, Sonoran Sunset went on to set a lifetime best mark of 1:54 at nine years of age and retired with 42 trips to the winner’s circle.