Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Artriverderci Takes $500,000 Hooier Cup

June 30, 2007

At odds of 6-1, Artriverderci and driver Peter Wrenn grabbed the title in the 11th edition of the $500,000 Hoosier Cup on Saturday night (June 30) at Hoosier Park.

The event was part of a special season finale with purses in excess of $1 million. A crowd of 3,496 was in attendance. Artriverderci began from post three in the bulky field of 11 that included two horses on the second tier. Early plans were to head straight for the lead, but with Mattdultery and Roger Plante, Jr., along with Downtown Showdown and Dale Decker, each moving to the front, Wrenn opted to pull back on Artiverderci until the pace settled down.

Mattdultery was the leader through the quarter in :26 before stablemate Mr Apples and Jim Morand took control in the early backstretch. Artriverderci was the next in line for control of the race.

Once on the lead, Artriverderci looked strong, pacing his way around the turn with authority. In the stretch, several horses began their descent on the leaders, but the Western Ideal colt was solid through the wire in a time of 1:51.3, his first win in seven outings for 2007.

“This is quite a thrill,” said Wrenn, who has more than 6,800 career victories and is fourth in the nation for wins in 2007. “After the early action up front, I wasn’t looking for the lead at that point. But, I didn’t want to get caught on the rail. It actually worked to his advantage the way the race played out.”

Kinetic Yankee and Andy Miller rallied home well, 1-3/4 lengths back for second. Big Al’s Delight and 2007 Hoosier Park leading driver Ricky Macomber, Jr. finished third.

"I have had Peter drive for me before," said trainer Rene Laarman. “He is a great driver and he gave Artriverderci the perfect trip he needed to win. He was crawling over horses in the New Jersey Classic.”

Artriverderci is owned by Glenview Livestock LTD of Wallenstein, Ontario. He increased his career earnings to more than $500,000 with the victory, his second career win.

$500,000 Hoosier Cup Hooser ParkSaturday, June 30, 2007
PP Horse                      Driver
3 Artriverderci                 Peter Wrenn
8 Kinetic Yankee            Andy Miller
5 Big Al’s Delight            Ricky Macomber
7 Mr Apples                     James Morand
4 Spin Rate                    Brandon Simpson
9 Tufsun Beach                Jim Franklin
11 Watta Hotshot              Don Irvine
6 Next Adventure             Mark Evers
2 Mattdultery                   Rb Plant Jr
10 Takeshigemichi           Daniel Dube
1 Downtown Showdown    Dale Decker
:26      :54.2      1:23.2      1:51.3