Anderson, IN – Three-year-old trotting colts & geldings were the highlight of Thursday’s (Sept. 24) racing card at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. With a competitive field of 10 behind the gate, it was Dude Included who dug in to win the sixth leg of stakes action for the sophomore trotters, earning the Trent Stohler trainee his second stakes win in 1:54:4.

Dude Included won his second Indiana Sire Stakes in the sixth leg Thursday night at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Dean Gillette Photography.

When the gate opened, John DeLong guided Dude Included to find a spot along the rail in third. TJ’s Top Pick and Trace Tetrick carved out fractions of :27:4 and :57:1 while Dude Included waited patiently for a chance to move in on the leader. Not long after the half, Speedball Swagger with LeWayne Miller moved first-over and Bluebird Deacon with Jay Cross grabbed the cover to advance positions.

The battle for the lead heightened through the third quarter in 1:26:4, Speed Ball Swagger was able to wear down TJ’s Top Pick but Dude Included was winding up to strike. Bluebird Deacaon and Speed Ball Swagger were slugging it out on the front but it was Dude Included who was widest of all and surged ahead for the win. Bluebird Deacon dug in gamely for second and Speed Ball Swagger was third. Dude Included paid $6.40 to win at the betting windows.

“The team does a great job taking care of him,” Stohler noted. “I think he races best if he has a target to aim for, which worked out beautifully tonight. He hasn’t done a thing wrong.”

Dude Included has now won four of 10 this year, and has a lifetime bankroll of $184,395 for owner Benjamin Graber. The son of Class Included – Celebrity Faith was bred by Lester Beechy.

Live racing will continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday (Sept. 25) and will present the third edition of the Caesars Trotting Classic, as well as several additional Grand Circuit events. Heralded as Breeders Crown Preview Night, the evening will feature more than $1.2 million in purses to be distributed along with several promotions for guests. The night will also feature several guaranteed pool wagers including a $25,000 Superfecta for the Hoosier Park Pacing Derby, a $25,000 Superfecta for the Caesars Trotting Classic and the $15,000 Hoosier High-5 in the final race of the night.

With a daily post time of 6:30 p.m., live racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule and be conducted through Nov. 21, highlighted by the return of the Breeders Crown Oct. 30 & 31.  For more information on the upcoming entertainment or live racing schedule, please visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.

About Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino
Harrah’s Hoosier Park, which is owned and operated by a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR), holds multiple awards from industry publications for customer service, entertainment, gaming, dining, and team member culture. Harrah’s Hoosier Park, a fully-integrated gaming and racing facility, features the newest slots, live table games, sports wagering, and a 7/8 mile oval horse track offering live harness racing each year. For more information, please visit www.HarrahsHoosierPark.com. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing at racetracks and 21 or older to gamble at casinos.  Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (1-800-994-8448) ©2020 Caesars License Company, LLC.