Anderson, IN — Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s signature race, the $300,000 Grade 1 Dan Patch Stakes, presented by Indiana Standardbred Breed Development, attracted a field of 11 of the best older pacers in North America set to do battle on the seven-eighths-mile oval on Friday (Aug. 14).
The top 10 career money earners that entered received spots in the field, with Crack Shot receiving an additional invite from Harrah’s Hoosier Park to complete the field as the 11th horse. Seven millionaires headline the field that has combined earnings of $14,863,340 and 292 victories amongst the group.
A pair of hometown hopefuls will look to defend their home turf, with Little Rocket Man and Coach Stefanos taking aim once more. The double millionaire Little Rocket Man leaves from the rail with two-time Dan Patch-winning pilot Kyle Wilfong listed to drive as the 10-year-old pacer takes his fifth shot at the signature event. Little Rocket Man enters off a 1:49.2 win against Open company at Hoosier Park on Aug. 7. The victory gave Little Rocket Man his 87th career victory and pushed his career earnings to $2,068,384 for owners Russ Beeman and Boomer Freeman. Little Rocket Man was favored in the 2025 edition, where he finished eighth in a race won by fellow Indiana-sired star Sabonis, and has finished fourth twice in the event (2021 and 2023).
Coach Stefanos, a 2024 Breeders Crown champion, was third in the Open event won by Little Rocket Man and has hit the board in three straight starts at Hoosier entering the Dan Patch. Regular pilot Marcus Miller looks to give his father, Erv, his first victory in the Dan Patch as Coach Stefanos takes his third run at it. The 6-year-old gelded son of Tellitlikeitis finished in a dead-heat for second in the 2024 edition behind Dunkin’ and boasts a career bankroll of $1,430,285 for owners Ken Duffy, D&M Trading and Chris Stefanos.
A number of horses make their way to Hoosier Park after competing in the Sam McKee Memorial on Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands. Women Layer pulled off a 17-1 stunner in his division of the McKee, and will once again have Hall of Famer David Miller listed to driver for Virgil Morgan Jr. Both are in search of their second Dan Patch score, with Miller winning in 2020 with Century Farroh and Morgan winning in 2009 with Mister Big.
Double millionaire Bythemissal (post 3, Ronnie Wrenn Jr.), Captain Optimistic (post 6, Dexter Dunn), Fallout (post 8, Tim Tetrick), and Huntinthelastdolar (post 10, Yannick Gingras) all enter from the Sam McKee, as well.
The 2026 Dan Patch field, in post-position order with trainers and listed drivers, is as follows:
- Little Rocket Man – Ken Rucker – Kyle Wilfong
- Crack Shot – Gregg McNair – Doug McNair
- Bythemissal – Ron Burke – Ronnie Wrenn Jr.
- Dandy Ideal – Hunter Oakes – Tyler Buter
- Coach Stefanos – Erv Miller – Marcus Miller
- Captain Optimistic – Nancy Takter – Dexter Dunn
- Prince Hal Hanover – Dr. Ian Moore – Todd McCarthy
- Fallout – Ron Burke – Tim Tetrick
- Harrisburg Heist – Ron Burke – Yannick Gingras
- Huntinthelastdolar – Per Engblom – Yannick Gingras
- Women Layer – Virgil Morgan Jr. – David Miller
The 2026 installment of the Dan Patch Stakes has been slated as the 13th race on the program and will be supported by an all-star undercard of racing action. Final driver selections will be made on Wednesday (Aug. 12).
In addition to the Dan Patch, the inaugural Grade 3 $100,000 Rockin Nola, for fillies and mares on the pace, will serve as the 12th race on the card with a field of seven set to compete.
- Rodeo Drive Deo – Ron Burke – Yannick Gingras
- Good As You – Trent Stohler – Todd McCarthy
- The Last Martini – Jared Bako – Doug McNair
- Lyin’ Eyes – Joe Putnam – Joey Putnam
- Can’ttouchthese – Roger Welch – John De Long
- Champagne Room – Ron Burke – Ronnie Wrenn Jr.
- Three Times Bettor – Brett Pelling – Dexter Dunn
Free online programs for the Dan Patch card will be available on Wednesday evening on the Hoosier Park website, where bettors will want to study up for a wagering buffet that includes:
$10,000 guaranteed Early Pick-5 (Races 1-5)
Added Pick 4 (Races 2-5)
$10,000 guaranteed Pick-4 (Races 6-9)
Added Double (Race 10-11)
Added All-Stakes Pick-3 (Races 11-13)
$30,000 guaranteed Late Pick-4 (Races 12-15)
$10,000 guaranteed Late High-5 (Race 15)
For those attending in-person, there will be plenty to do on the track apron with promotions and family fun entertainment. From 6-10 p.m., guests may enjoy a live DJ, food trucks, bounce houses, mechanical bull and vendor market located in The Yard, as well as free yard games available in the Hoosier Outdoor Patio.
Additionally, guests 18 years of age and older are encouraged to get involved in the free-to-enter door prize drawings located near the Winner’s Circle beginning at 5:30 p.m. Prizes include pro football tickets to the Indianapolis home opener against Baltimore, a Blackstone grill, Apple iPad, AirPods, Yeti backpack cooler, Nespresso coffee machine, as well as $250 MegaBets on the Dan Patch. Guests will have until the start of the sixth race to enter, with prizes being drawn after each of races 6 through 11.
Guests may also enter the $20,000 Friday Night Fling on the track apron beginning at 5:30 p.m. Guests will receive their duck at the registration table to toss into the ISA vehicle on track after race 6. Each duck they get in the vehicle on Fridays will count as an entry into a $20,000 cash drawing on Hoosier Champions night (Friday, Oct. 9).
For those unable to attend in person, they can check out the national broadcast on FOX Sports 2 from 9-11:30 p.m. Gabe Prewitt and Jessica Otten will be live on site to provide coverage on the national window. The on-track simulcast will be handled by Harrah’s Hoosier Park analysts Jacob Rheinheimer and Emily Gaskin in the Dan Patch Studio, with Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob “Hollywood” Heyden manning paddock and winner’s circle interviews.
For more information on the upcoming entertainment or live racing schedule at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.