Anderson, IN – Prior to the Friday (Feb. 27) night card being cut short after the evening’s sixth race due to technical difficulties, Harrah’s Hoosier Park contested a pair of $22,000 Opens with Famous Father delivering a shocker in the Open Trot, while Buzzsaw Russ stayed hot as the heavy favorite in the Open Pace.
In his first start of the season with 36-1 odds, Famous Father driven by Luke Plano was victorious in the $22,000 Open 1-2 Handicap in 1:53.3 for trainer Rick Plano.
Leaving from post four, Famous Father left alertly getting away in the third position while Dover In Motion (Ricky Macomber Jr.) trotted around Flagman (Rick Plano) to cut the opening quarter in :27.4. Dover In Motion continued to lead on the backstretch, reaching the halfway point in :56.2 before trotting to three-quarters in 1:25.2 while the Plano trainees began to tip from second and third.
In the stretch, Flagman grabbed command from Dover In Motion before his stablemate ripped off his cover midway through the lane. Blitzing home in :27.4, Famous Father powered clear to the lead, opening up by three-lengths on the wire. Flagman held for second, with Drink Up Drink Up (Brandon Bates) skirting up the pylons to rally for third.
The victorious 7-year-old gelded son of Father Patrick-Hollywood Hill is owned by Maryann Plano and Bruce Soulsby, and now sports career earnings of $491,472 following his 27th career victory. Famous Father paid $74.80 to win.
Winning the $22,000 Open Pace in 1:51, Buzzsaw Russ and driver John De Long combined for the horses second straight win at Hoosier Park for trainer Missy Essig. This win marked the 58th lifetime win for Buzzsaw Russ.
Opening the race in post five, Buzzsaw Russ started in fourth through the first quarter turn in :27.4 while General Dolan (Trace Tetrick) set the pace followed closely by Noblesville (Marcus Miller). General Dolan led at the half in :56.3 while Buzzsaw Russ made a first-over move into third. General Dolan started to face pressure from the other pacers at the three-quarter pole in 1:24.2.
Moving down the stretch in :26.3, Buzzsaw Russ raced past Noblesville and General Dolan on the outside, asserting himself by 2-1/4 lengths on the wire in 1:51. Ardens Ace N (Lewayne Miller) rallied on the outside to get up for second, with Noblesville holding sway for the third spot.
Now two-for-two to begin his 6-year-old campaign, Buzzzaw Russ improved his career earnings to $857,254 for Indiana owners Russell Beeman and Charles Weaver. The Rockin Image-Up Front Cruiser gelding was bred in the Hoosier state by Devon Beechy and Devon Knepp. Buzzsaw Russ paid $2.40 to win as the heavy favorite.
With this victory, driver John De Long added his third victory on the night previously winning the first two races of the Friday card. De Long found the winner’s circle in the first two races on the evening teaming up with trainer Charlie Stewart, winning the first with Captain Taylor ($3.60, 1:52.2) and second with Imalwaysclassy ($9.40, 1:53.3).
The 14-race card was cut short after Race 6 due to technical difficulties with the broadcast program. Live racing at Hoosier park will continue Thursday, March 5 with a first post of 5:30 p.m.
For more information on the 2026 live racing season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, guests are encouraged to 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.
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