by Tammy Knox

The 2009 Hoosier Cup is beginning to take shape for the 13th edition of the race set for Saturday, May 30 at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino. The stake race closed at the final nomination deadline in February with 86 3-year-old colts and geldings eligible for the $500,000-est. purse.

Racing for the first time during the afternoon this season, the Hoosier Cup has added a few names to the probable list for the event. Headlining the list of hopefuls includes World Record freshman Sheer Desire. Coming from the Mickey Burke Stable, Sheer Desire set the world record for 2-year-old gelding pacers last year with his 1:49.3 win at Lexington’s Red Mile in the Bluegrass Stake. The Real Desire gelding currently has one win in two starts for 2009, winning his last race at Mohegan Sun Poconos in a time of 1:51 in his elimination of the Hempt. Sheer Desire has drawn post eight in the $300,000 Hempt Final at Poconos Saturday, May 23. Dave Palone will drive.

Other possible strong contenders for this year’s Hoosier Cup include Berry’s Creek winner Annieswesterncard. The Western Hanover gelding won the $230,000 event at The Meadowlands in his last start, posting a time of 1:51.1 for trainer Joe Seekman. Annieswesterncard took his career best time last year at Indiana Downs in a time of 1:50.3 in the $76,000 Elevation.

Standupnkissme has already tested out Hoosier Park’s seven-eighths mile oval, winning his last start in 1:51.1. The Ohio-bred son of Stand Forever won eight of 12 starts last year as a freshman, and was crowned the 2-year-old Ohio Sires Stakes champion. Trained by Jim Mulinix, Standupnkissme is two for two in 2009 and has more than $124,000 in career earnings.

The $500,000-est. Hoosier Cup is being held one month earlier this season. This year will mark the final year that the race will be contested with eliminations and a final all in the same afternoon if more than 12 horses enter the event.

Hoosier Park’s other signature event is the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational Pace set for Saturday, June 20. The 80-day Standardbred meet will conclude Saturday, July 11 with the Million Dollar Indiana Championship Day, featuring all finals for the Indiana Sires Stakes and purses will reach the $1 million mark.