The second round of qualifiers are set for the upcoming 30th season of racing with 10 races slated for a 10 a.m. start Wednesday, March 15. The program will feature seven pacing events and three trotting races and the majority of horses qualifying are making their debut for 2023.
Sooo Handsome, the standout trotter from the Rick Plano barn, makes his return to the Indiana circuit in the fifth race of the day. The trotting son of Cash Hall had a pair of starts at Miami Valley in January before taking a break. He comes into his 10-year-old campaign with 50 career wins in 274 starts and nearly $450,000 in earnings. His career best time of 1:52.4 was taken as a six-year-old at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Sooo Handsome begins from post three in his qualifier for the Plano barn.
On the pacing side, Goldie’s Legacy makes his 2023 debut in the fourth race of the day. Hailing from the Jeff Cullipher barn, the Indiana sired son of Always a Virgin has 19 wins in 60 starts over three years of racing. He begins his five-year-old season from post five in the fourth race of the day with Tyler Smith at the controls. Goldie’s Legacy is the son of the strong race mare Ag-N-Au (pronounced Silver & Gold) Bluegrass who took a mark of 1:52.3 and earned more than $300,000 during her career.
Owned by Pollack Racing and Cullipher, Goldie’s Legacy took his career best time of 1:48.1 last season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. He is a half brother to Au D Lox (pronounced Goldie Locks) Bluegrass, who earned a mark of 1:49.2 and $377,000 during her career. The family has a yearling sister by Rockin Image named Hinkston Fireball for Dave Yoder that will most likely be available at the sales this fall.
Goldie’s Legacy will meet up with Crooked Smile in the fourth race qualifier. Starting from post one and driven by John DeLong, Crooked Smile makes his 2023 debut for the Tim Wilson Jr. Stable. The Panther Hanover gelding starts his six-year-old campaign with 21 career wins, $255,000 in earnings, and a mark of 1:49.2 taken last year at Oak Grove Racing.
Qualifiers will continue on Saturdays and Wednesdays each week leading up to the season opener set for Friday, March 24 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. A special evening “dress rehearsal” qualifier will be held Wednesday, March 22 leading up to opening night.