by Tammy Knox, publicity director, Hoosier Park

Dan Patch Invitational competitor Y Knot has been like fine wine in his career. Since being bought for $12,000 by his current owner and trainer Karen Williams, the eight-year-old keeps getting better with age. Now, Y Knot has a once in a lifetime chance to win the biggest race of his and Williams’ career.

“To be in the Dan Patch Invitational is a very huge honor,” said Williams. “It doesn’t matter if he goes off at 99-1, or if he is last, I am just so glad we are invited to it. The opportunity is so far my biggest honor in harness racing. This will be my first time to Hoosier Park. I have heard many great things about the place from other people.”

Williams first bought Y Knot for a small price at one of The Meadowlands sales about five years ago. He soon shipped north to Denis Filion in Montreal, Canada. There, he won 11 races right off the bat. Since, he has been a top open pacer at The Meadowlands. Y Knot set a new lifetime mark of 1:50.0 earlier this season.

Driving into Anderson from the Indianapolis International Airport, Williams was excited and elated to be in the Hoosier state. However, the trip almost never happened. When Williams first heard of the invite from Kevin Mack, Hoosier Park’s director of Standardbred racing, she declined the offer.

“I got on the phone when we first got the invite and I just started crying,” said Williams. “I told him (Mack) that I had to decline the offer. He told me not to worry about anything. I just had a range of different emotions. I held out for support from my mom and dad. The trip wouldn’t be possible without my team of helpers.”

The Y Knot team includes members Karen Allen, brother of driver Brian Allen, and Charles Curran. Financial support for Y Knot also came from the help of Williams’ parents. Allen assists in the barn and Curran assists with jogging the son of Beastmaster twice a day.

“Karen (Allen) has spent a lot of time and work with him (Y Knot) and it is kind of her job security she says,” said Williams. “He is her boy. Chuck jogs him everyday. He just is out there and puts a smile on everyone’s face. My mom and dad have been very supportive with my decision to race in the Dan Patch.”

Williams has chosen two time winning driver of the Dan Patch Invitational Ricky Macomber Jr. to pilot Y Knot from post position four. He is currently the track’s leading driver.

“I chose Macomber Jr., because he is a leading driver out there,” said Williams. “He knows how to read a program well. I would never tell a professional driver how to drive one of my horses. Money will never make me sell him (Y Knot) to anyone, no matter how big of an amount. He will become my riding horse when he is off in green pastures.”