by Tammy Knox, Hoosier Park Publicity Department

Swingin Glory and driver Ricky Macomber Jr. swung for the fences Saturday, April 3 in the $20,000 Invitational Pace. The race was regarded as a prep for next week’s $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational. Swingin Glory proved his entrance into the race is well deserved.

Photo by Jim Linscott

Swingin Glory and Ricky Macomber Jr. cruised home to victory in the $20,000 Invitational Pace Saturday, April 3.

Starting from post ten, Swingin Glory didn’t have to do much in the early stages but follow along as Sharky Spur and driver Don Irvine Jr. cut a path through wicked winds down the backstretch. Foxy Maneuver and Don Eash braved the first-over journey. Macomber found the spot he needed to put the ten-year-old Raging Glory horse into a perfect spot behind Eash as the field rounded the turn and headed with the wind into the homestretch.

At the top of the lane, Macomber waited patiently and slowly tipped Swingin Glory to the outside, pacing free and clear to the wire for a convincing win in a time of 1:51.2. Life Sizzles and Jay Cross snuck up the inside past Sharky Spur to finish second while Foxy Maneuver gave a gutsy performance to fight back for third. Sharky Spur finished fourth.

Swingin Glory now has five wins in 13 starts for 2004. The Sylvia Burke and Lawrence Karr-owned horse has more than $690,000 in career earnings. He is trained by Brian Hauck.

“The night they claimed this horse at The Meadowlands, he took a bad step and hurt himself,” said Hauck. “They had to lay him off for a while. Mickey Burke is the one that trained him and claimed him. He sent him to Ricky last summer. We trained him all winter down at Pompano. He’s one of the easiest horses to work with. He’s easy on himself and takes care of himself. That was just an unbelievable mile tonight in these weather conditions.”

Swingin Glory has a career best mark of 1:49.4 taken at The Meadowlands when he was seven years old. He turned in his fastest time this season last week, rounding Hoosier Park’s oval in 1:50.3.

“He (Swingin Glory) loves a big track,” said Macomber. “He can race either way – on the front or near the back. That was an incredible mile tonight in this wind. I really don’t know how fast he can go. I’m excited about the Dan Patch. It’s all about post positions. If he draws good, then he could do well.”

The top four finishers in the contest will return next week for the Dan Patch Invitational. Other horses expected to race in the Dan Patch include Life Source, who won the featured race at The Meadowlands in 1:49.4 earlier

in the evening. Also, Luckyisasluckydoes, winner of the Isle of Capri earlier this year, will be among the horses in the field. The Dan Patch Invitational has become Hoosier Park’s signature harness race.

The event will include Dan Patch bobbleheads to the first 1,500 fans arriving when gates open at 5 p.m. The first race will go to post at 6:45 p.m.

Betsy Delight Delights In Sires Stakes
by Valerie Ray

The first leg of the $12,000 Indiana Sires Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies was held Saturday, April 2, under terribly windy conditions. Andy Shetler and Betsy Delight captured the first division of the Indiana Sires Stakes with the ultimate gate-to-wire effort.

“The wind definitely played a factor tonight. The head wind up the backstretch was horrendous, but she raced strong,” Shetler stated.

Victorious on her very first start of the season, Betsy Delight has been described as a temperamental filly…but only off the track.

“She is really feisty scoring down and after the race,” Shetler claimed. “Once she races, though, she settles down.”

Betsy Delight and Shetler trotted home in a time of 2:02.2. The daughter of Keep It A Secret paid $10.40, $5.40, and $4.00 for the win.

California Delight and Jay Cross claimed second place. Don Irvine Jr. and Victory Lane followed with a third place finish.

The second leg of the Indiana Sires Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies is scheduled for Saturday, April 24. The top fillies throughout the series will return for the $80,000-estimated final Saturday, May 29 for Hoosier Cup Night.