by Tammy Knox, Publicity Director, Hoosier Park

Anderson, IND. (May 29, 2004) – It was an evening of survivors Saturday, May 29 and Skydancer Hanover proved to be the fittest of all, winning the eighth edition of the $500,000 Hoosier Cup. A total of 6,745 people were in attendance for the evening that included a special guest appearance by Rupert Boneham of Survivor.

Jim Linscott photo

The connections of Skydancer Hanover, and Rupert Boneham of Survivor, celebrate in the winner’s circle on Hoosier Cup night at Hoosier Park.

Offering 11 starters, the Hoosier Cup was kicked off with early speed by Skydancer Hanover at the urging of Daniel Dube. The three-year-old son of Western Hanover passed the first panel in :26.1 before surrendering the lead to Droppin’thehammer and Ryan Anderson. However, second was not a spot Dube wanted, and he was out and moving to retake control before the halfway point in :53.4.

“With a horse like this, you want to keep him on the front,” said Dube. “He is such a nice horse. That’s why I wanted to keep him on the front and clear of any problems.”

As action on the front end began to cool down, the rest of the field became plagued with mishaps. Up Front Brad and Brett Miller were setting inside near the front when they broke stride. One of the race favorites, Metropolitan, driven by John Campbell, was moving past horses on the outside and also went off-stride due to interference heading into the final turn. As a result, the trailing horses were spread out, giving the front horses even more of an advantage.

Heading for home, Skydancer Hanover had plenty of stamina and strength left for the stretch drive. Dube kept the Mark Harder-trainee out of reach from the field, posting the time in 1:51.2. Yankees In Seven and Greg Grismore moved up along the inside for second while Droppin’thehammer maintained third. Skydancer Hanover, coupled with Casey’s Bonanza from the Harder barn, paid $4.40, $3.80, and $2.80.

“I was the original owner of this horse. I bought him from a yearling sale,” said Chris Oakes, who co-owns the colt with George Alter and William Kenyon II of New York. “When he looked like he (Skydancer Hanover) was going to be something special, I took him to Mark (Harder).”

The victory for Skydancer Hanover pushed him over the $400,000 career earnings mark. The mile was two-fifths off his career best, taken at Pocono Downs earlier this year in the Max Hempt Final. The victory was also his fourth in a row, making him five for six in 2004.

“He’s just a sound, good-feeling horse,” said Harder, who is third leading trainer in the nation for wins. “Now, he has to line up against the big boys in the North American elims in his next start.”

The attendance eclipsed the previous Hoosier Cup record crowd of 3,918 set in 2003. It ranks as the eighth highest attendance in the history of racing for both breeds. It is the fourth largest crowd to attend a harness event at the track.

HORSE KILLED IN AUTO INCIDENT NEAR HOOSIER PARK

Anderson, IND. (May 29, 2004) – The Standardbred horse Solo Bold was killed Saturday, May 29 prior to the sixth race on the program at Hoosier Park. The five-year-old horse was entered in the $10,000 Open Pace in a nine-sixteenth mile event during Hoosier Cup Night.

Solo Bold, driven by Ricky Macomber Jr. and trained by Brian Hauck, caused a recall in the race due to broken equipment. After repairing the equipment at the paddock, Solo Bold became uncontrollable for Macomber, who tried to stop him by aiming him toward the backstretch fence. Macomber was unseated and Solo Bold went into the Thoroughbred chute attached to the main Standardbred track. Solo Bold exited the chute through the track maintenance entrance used for equipment. He ran onto Route 67 and was struck and killed by a vehicle.

Ed Hauck Jr. of Pompano Beach, Fla. owns Solo Bold. The son of Jate Lobell had more than $55,000 in career earnings and one win in eight starts for 2004. Macomber was not injured in the incident.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident. Deputy Sheriff Paul Kollrus, unit number 4841, is the investigating officer. The Madison County Sheriff’s Department can be reached at (765) 642-0221.