Anderson, IN — The fields were drawn Tuesday (Sept. 17) for two of Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s signature events, the $165,000 Harrah’s Hoosier Park Pacing Derby and $200,000 Caesars Trotting Classic presented by Kountry Lane Standardbreds, both of which will take place Friday (Sept. 20). Two full fields of 10 will go postward, with Periculum tabbed as the morning-line favorite in the Caesars Trotting Classic and Little Rocket Man enlisted as the early choice in the Pacing Derby.
With combined earnings of over $11 million and 186 wins, the powerhouse field of free-for-all trotters to line up in the Caesars is headlined by Maple Leaf Trot champion Periculum. Entering off a runner-up finish to Jiggy Jog S in the $1 million International Trot, Periculum has won six of 11 starts on the season while banking $543,522 for trainer Marcus Melander. Periculum leaves from post four with Scott Zeron listed to drive, right next to stablemate Oh Well, who leaves from post three as the 5-1 fourth choice.
Looking to join Bella Bellini as only the second mare to win the Caesars Trotting Classic, M-M’s Dream returns to her Indiana roots, leaving from the second tier in post 10 with Hall of Fame driver Tim Tetrick listed to drive. A 31-time winner in 48 career outings, M-M’s Dream was an Indiana Sires Stakes champion at 2 and 3 before branching out against older company, banking $1,699,417 and taking a career mark of 1:50 at the Meadowlands in 2023. M-M’s Dream returns to the Henry Graber Jr. barn Friday night for owners Eleven Star Stable, Frank Baldachino and Hillside Stables.
Trainer Ron Burke sends a pair of entries in the Trotting Classic, including 2023 champion It’s Academic. The career earner of $2.5 million won last year’s edition in a stakes record 1:50.3. It’s Academic leaves from the rail at 15-1 with David Miller aboard, as he was for last year’s victory. Right next door in post two from the Burke Brigade is Hambletonian Maturity champion Chapercraz (6-1) with Yannick Gingras listed to drive.
The 2024 Caesars Trotting Classic field is as follows:
- It’s Academic (David Miller, Ron Burke) 15-1
- Chapercraz (Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke) 6-1
- Oh Well (Todd McCarthy, Marcus Melander) 5-1
- Periculum (Scott Zeron, Marcus Melander)5-2
- Ponda Jet (Kyle Wilfong, Jay Hochstetler) 15-1
- Winner’s Bet (Dexter Dunn, Nancy Takter) 7-2
- Hillexotic (Austin Hanners, Todd Luther) 12-1
- Flagman (Rick Plano, Rick Plano) 20-1
- Helpfirstedition (John DeLong, Missy Essig) 20-1
- M-M’s Dream (Tim Tetrick, Henry Graber Jr.) 9-2
The $165,000 Harrah’s Hoosier Park Pacing Derby sees a field of 10 headlined by the last two champions of the Little Brown Jug, seven millionaires, and 2024 Dan Patch champion Dunkin’. A total of 15 horses entered this year’s Pacing Derby, including supplemental entry Backstreet Shadow. The top nine career money earners along with Dunkin’ (due to his victory in the Dan Patch), secured their spots in the field.
Hometown hero Little Rocket Man is slated as the morning line choice, with David Miller listed to drive for trainer Ken Rucker. Now 8, Little Rocket Man is on track for a career year, with victories already in the Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield and in the Jim Ewart Memorial in his last outing at Scioto Downs. A winner in 10 of 13 starts this season, the 64-time winner sports career earnings of $1,462,299 for owners Russ Beeman and Boomer Freeman.
Last year’s Little Brown Jug champion, It’s My Show, won the Canadian Pacing Derby two back before backing it up with a 1:49.2 Kentucky Sire Stakes score attThe Red Mile in his last outing. Linda Toscano trains the royally-bred 4-year-old son of Sweet Lou-Put On A Show who has made $1,486,502 lifetime.
The horse It’s My Show tracked down in the Canadian Pacing Derby, Abuckabett Hanover, is listed as the 7-2 second choice for trainer Andrew Harris. The 6-year-old son of Betting Line already has wins in the Dave Brower and William Haughton Memorials at the Meadowlands this year. Dexter Dunn is listed to drive.
The 2024 Harrah’s Hoosier Park Pacing Derby field is as follows:
- Dunkin’ (Tim Tetrick, Scott DiDomenico) 12-1
- It’s My Show (Scott Zeron, Linda Toscano) 6-1
- Why Not Now (Austin Hanners, Todd Luther) 20-1
- Coach Stefanos (Trace Tetrick, Erv Miller) 20-1
- Little Rocket Man (David Miller, Ken Rucker) 5-2
- Backstreet Shadow (Matt Kakaley, Travis Alexander) 20-1
- Charlie May (Dan Noble, Steve Carter) 4-1
- Abuckabett Hanover (Dexter Dunn, Andrew Harris) 7-2
- Bythemissal (Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke) 5-1
- I Did It Myway (Matt Kakaley, Travis Alexander) 9-2
Final driver selections and changes for the Friday card will be made Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 18).
The 15-race Caesars Trotting Classic card carries first post time of 6 p.m. The card will also air live on Fox Sports 1 from 8-11 p.m. with hosts Gabe Prewitt and Jessica Otten live on site. Caesars Trotting Classic night also serves as Community Night at the Races, with local vendors, free kids’ activities, outdoor entertainment along with an education and giveaway station provided by the Harness Horse Youth Foundation and Indiana Standardbred Association located on the track apron. For more information, visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.