After more than two decades, Harrah’s Hoosier Park reimplemented Sunday racing May 23. Ramblin Art and Brandon Bates won the first race on the card to set the tone for the night.
Ramblin Art and Brandon Bates won the first race on the first Sunday night of racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in over two decades. Photo by Dean Gillette
Starting from post five, Ramblin Art rushed out to the early lead to set the first fraction of :27.0. Prescotts Hope and Rick Plano quickly moved to the lead at the half in :56.2, leaving Willey Bite and Trace Tetrick on the outside at the three-quarters in 1:25.1.
The $8,000 claimers were led into the stretch by Ramblin Art, who took over and rallied home in :28.1 for the win by one and one-half lengths over Willey Bite. Danza and Sam Widger finished third in the 1:53.4 mile.
Trained by Henry Graber Jr., Ramblin Art paid $6.00 for the win. The nine-year-old son of Kilowatt is owned by Eleven Star Stables and Hillside Stables. Herman Whittington of Ohio bred the veteran pacer.
Ramblin Art didn’t start his racing career until he was three. He then returned at five and raced primarily at Plainridge for three years before returning to Indiana last year. Ramblin Art now has 23 career wins in 125 starts with earnings over the $171,000 mark. His career best time of 1:51.1 was taken last summer at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The win on Sunday was his second of 2021.
The featured event Sunday was the $20,000 Open Pace with Brassy Hanover and Sam Widger earning the win in 1:50.1. Lots of action took place out of the gate with Brassy Hanover, Tellmeaboutit and Saying Grace N all heading to the top spot. Brassy Hanover was the first leader followed by Tellmeaboutit and Trace Tetrick, who led the way to the stretch. Brassy Hanover made his move on the outside and paced home in :26.2 to score the win by a half length over Tellmeaboutit. Saying Grace N and John DeLong finished another half-length back in third.
Trained by Jeff Cullipher, Brassy Hanover is owned by Cullipher and Pollack Racing LLC. He was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms. The Well Said five-year-old earned his first win of 2021 in the race, which put him over the $400,000 in career earnings. His career best time was taken last year at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in 1:48.1.