stakes Recaps

Driver Dexter Dunn made his way to Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday, Sept. 13 and swept the two richest races in the state of Indiana, taking the $390,000 Peter Haughton Memorial with Maryland, before Champagne Problems scored in the $305,000 Jim Doherty Memorial.

The two-year-old trotting colts stepped into the spotlight first in the Haughton, with Maryland sent off as the 6-5 favorite in the field of 10.

Leaving from post eight, Maryland and Dunn found themselves the widest of a four across battle for the lead going into the first turn, with Father TJ (driven by Tyler Buter) first to the quarter on the inside in :27.1. Hidalgo (Yannick Gingras) pressed on to the lead briefly before Maryland assumed command and slowed the tempo to the half in :57.4. The top trio remained in straight alignment on the final turn, with Maryland leading the field to three-quarters in 1:27.

Maryland began to assert himself at the top of the stretch, trotting clear by three lengths midway through the lane with Hidalgo fending the others off for the minor spoils. Sprinting home in :27.1, Maryland crossed the wire 3-1/4 lengths clear, stopping the clock in 1:54.1. Hidalgo held for the place position, with Eugene The Genius (Mike Oosting) beating out Father TJ for show.

“Quite a few sprinted out of there which you expect in a race like this,” said Dunn in the winner’s circle. “ Once we got to the front, we got things pretty cheap and he sprinted home and felt great tonight.”

Trained by Marcus Melander, Maryland entered the Peter Haughton off of a 17-1 score upset score in the $425,500 William Wellwood in a career best 1:53.4. Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, the son of Chapter Seven-Crucial is owned by Courant Inc., Pcw Racing LLC., Holly Lane Stud East LTD., and Sstewartrthorn Stable. Now a winner of three of six, Maryland sports a career bankroll of $425,378.

“He’s been such a good horse from the start,” said trainer Marcus Melander. “He felt like a good horse when we trained him down, he’s classy and did it easy tonight.”

“We gave him a little bit of time off this summer but feel like he’s coming into the fall extremely sharp.”

Driver Dexter Dunn hinted that Maryland will have his sights set on another major prize next weekend, as the star rookie will head back north of the border for The Mohawk Million. In addition, Maryland secured his spot in the $700,000 Breeders Crown Final and a starting gate position between one and five with the victory in the Haughton.