News
Art Official Wins $500,000 Hoosier Cup
Art Official and driver Ryan Anderson put together a strong performance to win the $500,000 Hoosier Cup at Hoosier Park Saturday, June 28. The duo completed the one-mile event in a time of 1:51.0 in front of a crowd that exceeded 4,000.
Starting from post two in the 10-horse lineup, Anderson moved Art Official into the action early to land a fourth place spot along the rail. McCedes and Cat Manzi led the way to the quarter-mile marker in a time of :27.0. Brad Hanners had Beeeyouuuuuu out and rolling to the lead followed by Luc Ouellette and Dali, who eventually landed the top spot at the halfway mark in :55.1. Anderson was already on the outside, following the cue of Ouellette.
“I just wanted to take my time early in the race,” said Anderson. “I knew Luc would have his horse (Dali) out early, so I wanted to wait until he made his move to the lead. We ended up first-over, which wasn’t exactly where I wanted to be, but he was able to just grind it out.”
Anderson slowly eased Art Official toward the leaders around the final turn. At the three-quarter mile marker in a time of 1:23.3, Art Official had the center of the track to work with, showing his best stride late to pass Dali and take home the top prize by one length. Dali was a solid second over Beeeyouuuuuu, who finished five lengths back in third.
The victory for Anderson and Art Official was their second in a row. They teamed up for a win in the $33,200 Hanover Stake at Balmoral Park a week earlier. The son of Art Major, who was the winner of the 2002 Hoosier Cup, now has five wins in 10 starts for 2008 and increased his career bankroll to more than $439,000 with the effort.
“I got injured earlier in the year, so it’s nice to get a big win like this,” said Anderson. “I want to thank trainer Joe Seekman and James Jesk for giving me the opportunity to drive this horse. Anytime you get to drive this type of horse in a prestigious race such as this one, it’s really an honor.”
Art Official, who went winless in 15 starts as a two-year-old, paid $4.80, $3.00, and $2.40 across the board. He is owned by Sawgrass Farms of Lockport, Ill., which is a partnership of Jesk with his wife, Joyce.
The $500,000 Hoosier Cup is the richest harness race in the state of Indiana. The stake was the spotlight on the evening that featured purses in excess of $1.2 million. Six $100,000 Indiana Sires Stakes finals were also contested to create Indiana’s richest night of horse racing.
Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, Ind., is central Indiana’s premier entertainment destination, featuring 2,000 electronic gaming devices; Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing; and wholecard simulcasting. Hoosier Park Racing & Casino is a wholly owned property of Centaur Gaming, which also owns and operates Fortune Valley Hotel and Casino in Central City, Colo., and is seeking final approval to develop Valley View Downs in western Pennsylvania. Hoosier Park also provides simulcast-wagering facilities in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Merrillville, Ind. For more information, visit www.hoosierpark.com.
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