Field set for 33rd G1 Dan Patch Stakes
At 1h17, on August 12, 2026 • By Jacob Rheinheimer, Harrah 's Hoosier Park
Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s signature race, the $300,000 Grade 1 Dan Patch Stakes, presented by Indiana Standardbred Breed Development, attracted a field of 11 of the best older pacers in North America set to do battle on the seven-eighths-mile oval on Friday (Aug. 14).
The top 10 career money earners that entered received spots in the field, with Crack Shot receiving an additional invite from Harrah’s Hoosier Park to complete the field as the 11th horse. Seven millionaires headline the field that has combined earnings of $14,863,340 and 292 victories amongst the group.
A pair of hometown hopefuls will look to defend their home turf, with Little Rocket Man and Coach Stefanos taking aim once more. The double millionaire Little Rocket Man leaves from the rail with two-time Dan Patch-winning pilot Kyle Wilfong listed to drive as the 10-year-old pacer takes his fifth shot at the signature event. Little Rocket Man enters off a 1:49.2 win against Open company at Hoosier Park on Aug. 7. The victory gave Little Rocket Man his 87th career victory and pushed his career earnings to $2,068,384 for owners Russ Beeman and Boomer Freeman. Little Rocket Man was favored in the 2025 edition, where he finished eighth in a race won by fellow Indiana-sired star Sabonis, and has finished fourth twice in the event (2021 and 2023).
Coach Stefanos, a 2024 Breeders Crown champion, was third in the Open event won by Little Rocket Man and has hit the board in three straight starts at Hoosier entering the Dan Patch. Regular pilot Marcus Miller looks to give his father, Erv, his first victory in the Dan Patch as Coach Stefanos takes his third run at it. The 6-year-old gelded son of Tellitlikeitis finished in a dead-heat for second in the 2024 edition behind Dunkin’ and boasts a career bankroll of $1,430,285 for owners Ken Duffy, D&M Trading and Chris Stefanos.
A number of horses make their way to Hoosier Park after competing in the Sam McKee Memorial on Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands. Women Layer pulled off a 17-1 stunner in his division of the McKee, and will once again have Hall of Famer David Miller listed to driver for Virgil Morgan Jr. Both are in search of their second Dan Patch score, with Miller winning in 2020 with Century Farroh and Morgan winning in 2009 with Mister Big.
Double millionaire Bythemissal (post 3, Ronnie Wrenn Jr.), Captain Optimistic (post 6, Dexter Dunn), Fallout (post 8, Tim Tetrick), and Huntinthelastdolar (post 10, Yannick Gingras) all enter from the Sam McKee, as well.
The 2026 Dan Patch field, in post-position order with trainers and listed drivers, is as follows:
1- Little Rocket Man – Ken Rucker – Kyle Wilfong
2- Crack Shot – Gregg McNair – Doug McNair
3- Bythemissal – Ron Burke – Ronnie Wrenn Jr.
4- Dandy Ideal – Hunter Oakes – Tyler Buter
5- Coach Stefanos – Erv Miller – Marcus Miller
6- Captain Optimistic – Nancy Takter – Dexter Dunn
7- Prince Hal Hanover – Dr. Ian Moore – Todd McCarthy
8- Fallout – Ron Burke – Tim Tetrick
9- Harrisburg Heist – Ron Burke – Yannick Gingras
10- Huntinthelastdolar – Per Engblom – Yannick Gingras
11- Women Layer – Virgil Morgan Jr. – David Miller
The 2026 installment of the Dan Patch Stakes has been slated as the 13th race on the program and will be supported by an all-star undercard of racing action. Final driver selections will be made on Wednesday (Aug. 12).
