Surclasser responded positively to the bump in class to take top honors and produce the upset in the co-featured $24,000 Open Trot at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday (May 23).

Leaving from post three, Surclasser settled seventh along the rail while Trace Tetrick sent Jersey As to take the quick lead and dictate fractions of :27 and :55. Joe Putnam had the slight betting favorite Abc Mercedes along the rail in the sixth. Jersey As continued to cling to the lead around the three quarter mile marker in 1:23 with Abc Mercedes and Putnam closing in. As the field turned for home, Surclasser came furthest from off the pace to reach the wire first by a neck over Abc Mercedes. Proud Yankee benefitted from a ground saving trip to finish third.

The 5-year-old son of Jailhouse Jesse notched his second win in a row and sixth victory of the season. Trained by Ron Burke, Surclasser has bankrolled over $40,000 for his connections of Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

Park Lane Deputy and Sam Widger were able to overcome a tough post position to upset a field of nine in the co-featured $24,000 Open Pace. Widger used the same off the pace tactics as he had the six-year-old veteran sixth along the rail through fractions of :26.1, :55.3 and 1:23.4 before coasting home a winner in 1:51.4. Park Lane Deputy was able to overcome Get It Now who endured a tough first over journey and early pace setter Allthatgltrsisgold. Get it Now held on gamely for second as Robin I Scoot rallied late in the stretch to round out the trifecta. The public’s choice, Washington Hanover, was unable to take advantage of a pocket trip and finished fourth.

Trained by Nelson Willis, Park Lane Deputy pushed his career earnings over $330,000 for owner Shirley A Le Vin. It was the third win of the season for Park Lane Deputy and also the third win on the night for driver Sam Widger.

“I was really happy with the trip we worked out, “Widger said of the race. “Although the post position is always a factor, I was pretty confident this horse would be good tonight. He has been good here before and Nelson (Willis) has done a great job with him.”