The Dan Patch Stakes is the richest race of the year at Hoosier Park and it will take center stage tonight. The feature is carded as Race 11, and heavy favorite Lather Up leaves from post position #4 looking for his fourth straight victory. It's a formidable field full of champions who will compete for a $330,000 purse. 

The Hoosier stretch is a monster and the track surface can be tricky at times for those who don't get to Indiana very often. There shouldn't be a shortage of gate speed and there is no telling how fast this mile will go. The betting options include a 0.10 Superfecta wager and this evening that pool will have a $25,000 guarantee. 

Comments and selections plus Superfecta wagers are posted below and are based on a fast track. 

Race 11-Dan Patch Stakes-Purse $330,000 

1-Miso Fast (20-1)-Having more success lately on smaller ovals but is a possibility for the bottom part of the Super. From this post, should get a close-up trip and has hit the board at HoP once in three starts. 

2-McWicked (5/2)-8-year-old is a great champ but starting to wonder if better performances at this point will be on 1/2 or 5/8's ovals. Racing back to a 1-mile distance tonight could help but at 5/2 in the ML and being 0-6 at HoP, looking to others on top. 

3-New Talent (20-1)-Here's an Ontario bred 6-year-old who has made most of his $385K bankroll at HoP. This is a class challenge but Cullipher's barn has local roots and it would not be a surprise to see a good performance tonight. 

4-Lather Up (6/5)-Horse of the Year major contender has made it look too easy in last 3 victories. Maybe a question mark comes from having only one start at HoP. Lather Up did win that race last November by 8 1/2 lengths but was DQ'd for breaking stride and going inside a pylon. This year in 10 starts Lather Up has only broken stride one time. The program favorite looks the part again and will be bet down hard. 

5-Filibuster Hanover (10-1)-Not having a good year but has been facing tough company. Might be over bet because of the Gingras-Burke connection. Could improve in this spot but this isn't an easy bunch, gets a very good post draw and looks like a bottom of the Super possibility. 

6-Jimmy Freight (8-1)-Jimmy races all over North America, often draws poorly but usually gives it a big try. Comes into this stake off 19-days rest but did tune-up well in a qualifier at Wbsb on 8/2. 4-year-old has raced once at HoP finishing 3rd, draws okay and should be in the hunt at a square price. 

7-Endeavor (20-1)-Another from the Cullipher barn but this American Ideal 6-year-old appears to be in tall cotton. Best work seems to happen when on the engine and can't see how that strategy works here. 

8-Rockin Ron (12-1)-This is another entry from the Burke barn and isn't close to the same horse as last year. The 1.47.2 mark at Mohawk in 2017 is also a distant memory. Now races mostly on smaller ovals out East and the 12-1 morning line is flattering. First time on a mile oval this year. But has done well at HoP in the past so maybe wakes-up and hits the bottom part of the Super at a big price. 

9-Always A Prince (6-1)-Last race was on 7/13 and the time-off could help. This is a big challenge from the 9-hole but has local connection and a stellar record of 19-23 at HoP. Can dance with this group with the right trip and pilot Trace Tetrick does know well. Needs a good start, and then chances for a picture go up. 

0.20 Superfecta 
4/6,9/6,9/1,2,3,5,8 
Total Bet=$2 

0.20 Superfecta 
4/6,9/1,2,3,5,8/6,9 
Total Bet=$2 

0.20 Superfecta 
4/1,2,3,5,8/6,9/6,9 
Total Bet=$2 

0.20 Superfecta 
6,9/6,9/4/1,2,3,5,8 
Total Bet=$2 

0.20 Superfecta 
6,9/6,9/1,2,3,5,8/4 
Total Bet=$2 

0.20 Superfecta 
6,9/4/6,9/1,2,3,5,8 
Total Bet=$2 

0.20 Superfecta 
6,9/4/1,2,3,5,8/6,9 
Total Bet=$2 

0.20 Superfecta 
6,9/1,2,3,5,8/4/6,9 
Total Bet=$2 

0.20 Superfecta 
6,9/1,2,3,5,8/6,9/4 
Total Bet=$2 

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