by Tammy Knox, Publicity Director, Hoosier Park

When the gate folds for the 12th edition of the Dan Patch, several firsts will take place. The largest field in the history of the event has been assembled with ten horses in the lineup. Also, the first grey horse in the 12-year history of the race will vie for the title.

Admiral’s Express, a nine-year-old gelding, will make his first trip out of Canada for the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational Pace Saturday, April 30. The Michigan-bred son of Admiral’s Galley last raced in the United States in November of 2000. Since that time, the veteran racehorse has raked in more than $1.1 million in earnings and now possesses 55 career wins. His bankroll has been accumulated piece by piece, never pulling in a paycheck larger than $30,000 in 226 career starts. The earnings for Admiral’s Express make him the second richest grey Standardbred in the history of the sport, trailing only Jet Laag in earnings.

Owned by Gary and Laurel Gust and Cheryl and Ed Sayfie of Michigan, Admiral’s Express was purchased as a yearling for $3,700 from a sale in Michigan. After racing on the county fair circuit, he moved to the pari-mutuel ranks as a three-year-old and was later relocated to trainer Michael Hales in Canada.

Admiral’s Express took his best time of 1:48.4 last year at the age of eight. He is one of the most popular horses that races on the Canadian circuit and has been dubbed the “Grey Gladiator” by Woodbine’s track announcer Frank Salive. He comes into Indiana off an impressive two-length win at Woodbine. Brad Kramer, one of the top drivers in recent years on the Michigan circuit with more than 4,700 career wins, will drive Admiral’s Express from post four at odds of 6-1.

The Dan Patch Invitational will be carded as the ninth race on the 15-race card. Estimated post time for the event is 9:41 p.m.

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Notable-

**Putnam Honored With Figurine. Joe Putnam will be the featured driver figurine Thursday, April 28. Putnam finished ninth in the standings in 2004. Each week, a different driver will be depicted with the final Thursday of the season dedicated to Don Irvine Jr., a six-time leading driver champ at Hoosier Park.

**Another World Record In Jeopardy. For the second straight year, a world record will be in jeopardy during the Standardbred meet. The fifth race on the program during Dan Patch Night Saturday, April 30 will be contested at a distance of 15-16th of a mile. The world record for this distance was established in 1954 by Gay Harmony and driver Ken Russell at Vernon Downs.
The time to beat to set a new standard for the distance is 1:53.3.

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“Quotable”–

**Dick Macomber, trainer of Whosurboy, on the post position draw for the Dan Patch Invitational – “This horse is better when he doesn’t leave the gate. He needs to save his energy for the last part of the race. That is where he’s the strongest. There is a lot of speed in here, so I hope several of them battle early.”

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Upcoming Promotions-

**Dan Patch Horsepower Night. In addition to the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational, fans will enjoy extra horsepower during the night. Derek Daly, racing analyst for the Indy Racing League, will be available for autographs, and the first 1,500 patrons age 18 and over will receive a Dan Patch Bobblehead. Also, the Indy Racing Tech and Indy Pit Stop Challenge displays will be available with interactive games and insight into car racing. One lucky fan will receive tickets to the Indy 500 through a drawing.

**Join Us For The Kentucky Derby. Hoosier Park will open doors early at 9:30 a.m. for the simulcast of the 131st running of the Kentucky Derby Saturday, May 7. Programs for Derby Day will be available Friday, May 6th during Kentucky Oaks Day. Also, advanced wagering will be accepted on the entire Derby Day card beginning Friday. The first post on Derby Day is 10:30 a.m.

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Don’t Forget –

** Live harness racing is conducted Wednesday through Sunday with a first post at 6:45 p.m. Simulcasting is offered seven days a week. Doors open daily at 11 a.m.