Introduction
Harrahs Hoosier Park opens up the weekend with the Caesars Trotting Classic and Harrah's Hoosier Park Pacing Derby, two major stakes races for Harness Racing. The 2022 Harrah's Hoosier Park Derby features championship and probably the best harness racing horse in the country Bull Dog Hanover as the favorite leading into the morning line at 3-5 odds, with the rest of the field far behind the record-setting stallion. So let's look at your best bets for the Harrah's Hoosier Park's 2022 Championship Meet Derby Day with the first two exclusive race previews. So without any more wait, here are your best bets for the Harrah's Hoosier Park Derby.
Bulldog Hanover
John Darling's Bulldog Hanover enters the morning line and program as the favorite at 2-5 odds. The record-setting stallion recently shattered the world record for fastest harness mile time, winning the William R Haughton Memorial in 1.45.4. Not only his record-setting race, but Bulldog Hanover has also won ten of his eleven starts this year and has earned close to 1 million dollars this year.
Here's the thing, Bulldog Hanover is heavily favored to win this race, so if you want a longshot, this would be a fantastic race to bet against him, but it is doubtful we will not see this horse make it to the winner's circle. Another thing to consider is that this horse did not only set the world record for the fastest mile time on a harness track, but he also beat his previous record, which he set in the Roll With Joe, where he finished in 1.46 flat.
Catch The Fire
Todd Luther's Catch The Fire looks to take a thrilling victory over favorite Bulldog Hanover in the Hoosier Park Derby as he sits in the program at 6-1 odds. The TVG Sam Mckee Memorial Winner soared to victory in his last start winning the Hambletonian undercard race in 1.46.4. Now, even though he has had a strong season with racing wins at Pocono, Meadowlands, and many other harness tracks, I don't think he will get near Bulldog Hanover in this race, making him more of a place or show horse in the Hoosier Park Derby.
Allywag Hanover
The second Hanover horse in the field and my final best bet pick is Brett Pelling's, Allywag Hanover. The five-year-old has been running great recently, winning four of their eight starts this season, including a race at Harrah's Philly. The Brett Pelling trainee sits at 8-1 odds before the morning line in the Hoosier Park Derby, making him a potentially high payout for a place or win if he can pass Bulldog Hanover. Now, one thing Id keeps in mind with last year's older pacing champion is how he finished second to Bulldog Hanover in a previous race before Bulldog Hanover set the world record, which draws me into placing a show wager on this horse.
Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it, your best bets for the 2022 Hoosier Park Derby at Harrah's Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana. My final results are these three horses in the finishing order they were written. I'd take Rocky Road Hanover as an excellent fourth-place finisher for my superfecta bettors. My final bets are as follows.
WPS- Bulldog Hanover
PS- Catch The Fire
S- Allywag Hanover
Trifecta- Bulldog Hanover, Catch The Fire, Allywag Hanover
Superfecta- Bulldog Hanover, Catch The Fire, Allywag Hanover, Rocky Road Hanover.
So as we inch closer to a weekend of major stakes races, I hope yall do well and wish you the best of luck! Be on the lookout for more upcoming stakes races soon to come.