Anderson, IN — A field of ten will be sent postward in the $325,000 Dan Patch Stakes at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday (Aug. 13).

The 2021 installment of the Dan Patch Stakes will highlight the 15-race program that is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be supported by an all-star undercard of racing action. The purse money to be distributed throughout the evening will push the $650,000 mark.

With combined career purse earnings of more than $9 million, the talented field of ten includes two world champions and four millionaires. North America’s leading money-winning trainer, Ron Burke, will send out a strong contingent of three in the field as he looks to score his third training victory in the Dan Patch Stakes.

After an impressive 1:47.2 score in a Sam McKee Memorial division at The Meadowlands last week, Catch The Fire and Scott Zeron will play the role of morning line favorite from post four at odds of 3-1. Trained by Todd Luther, the 4-year-old son of Captaintreacherous-Dream Outloud has won six of nine starts this season. With a win, Catch The Fire would send his lifetime purse earnings over the $1 million mark.

As the richest horse in the field with $2.3 million in lifetime purse earnings, This Is The Plan has been enlisted as the 7-2 second choice from post three. With Yannick Gingras listed to drive, the 6-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere-That’s The Plan will make his way back to Hoosier Park after clocking a 1:47.3 score in the Battle of Lake Erie at MGM Northfield Park earlier this season. With $629,104 in purse earnings already amassed this season, the world champion will look to add to his bankroll and secure his first Dan Patch trophy after finishing sixth in the same event last year.

Backstreet Shadow has been enlisted as the third choice on the morning line at 4-1. With Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s all-time leading driver Trace Tetrick listed to drive, the 6-year-old son of Shadow Play-Backstreet Sweetie will be looking to score his first Harrah’s Hoosier Park victory.

Also included in the celebrated field of ten are Little Rocket Man and Tellmeaboutit, who will play the role of local fan favorites starting from posts six and nine, respectively. John DeLong has been enlisted to drive Little Rocket Man for trainer Missy Essig while Michael Oosting will be the pilot for Tellmeaboutit and trainer Alvin Miller.

With multiple Indiana Sires Stakes wins to their credit, Little Rocket Man and Tellmeaboutit have a combined 43 lifetime wins over the Hoosier Park surface.

The 2021 Dan Patch field, in post position order with named driver and trainer includes:

Post-Horse-Trainer-Driver-Morning Line
1. Sintra-David Menary-Jody Jamieson-10-1
2. Workin Ona Mystery-Brian Brown-Todd McCarthy-12-1
3. This Is The Plan-Ron Burke-Yannick Gingras-7-2
4. Catch The Fire-Todd Luther-Scott Zeron-3-1
5. Cattlewash-Ron Burke-David Miller-9-2
6. Little Rocket Man-Melissa Essig-John De Long-20-1
7. Brassy Hanover-Jeff Cullipher-Brian Sears-8-1
8. No Lou Zing-Nancy Takter-Dexter Dunn-15-1
9. Tellmeaboutit-Alvin Miller-Michael Oosting-30-1
10. Backstreet Shadow-Ron Burke-Trace Tetrick-4-1

The race will be part of a special weekend tagged as “Dan Patch Festival Weekend.” Hoosier Park will showcase some of the most notable names in harness racing alongside special wagers, free prizes, giveaways, food trucks and ice cream.

Racing fans will have the opportunity to participate in two special wagers offered for the Dan Patch card, a $25,000 guaranteed Dan Patch superfecta pool will be available along with a $15,000 guaranteed Hoosier-High Five pool on the last race of the program as part of the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program.

Each wager is available through the cooperative efforts of the United States Trotting Association, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and the Indiana Standardbred Association. A free online live racing program for the entire card will also be available on the Harrah’s Hoosier Park website.

Six lucky racing fans will have the opportunity to place a $250 win bet on the horse of their choice in the Dan Patch Stakes. Harrah’s Hoosier Park will also be giving away $1,000 cash immediately following the Dan Patch race. Racing fans can enter to win the megabets and $1,000 cash prize at any trackside promotional kiosk beginning at 5 p.m.

The Dan Patch festivities will also include a driver autograph session, family-friendly activities, special giveaways in the winner’s circle, and an official Dan Patch duffle bag free to the first 500 guests, beginning at 5 p.m.

Slated as the 13th race on the card, estimated post time for the Dan Patch Stakes is 11 p.m.

The festival weekend will continue into Saturday with free, family-fun activities. At the conclusion of live racing on Saturday, Cook and Belle will perform a free show in the Terrace Showroom.

For more information on the upcoming entertainment or live racing schedule, please visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.