Photo by Dean Gillette
It took the entire length of the stretch, but Bikini Chaser gave chase to veteran pacer General Dolan and won the battle Friday, April 24 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Guided by Joey Putnam, the Indiana sired pacer scored the first win of 2026 in the $8,000 conditioned pace.
Bikini Chaser began from the outside in post seven and left with some speed from the gate, but went into idle for a few strides until assessing the situation. Putnam saw General Dolan and Trace Tetrick rush out to the lead and that was the horse to follow. Bikini Chaser hurried up and got the seat right behind him before the first turn and through the quarter in :26.4. From there, the field stayed in single file as General Dolan led through the half in :55.4 for a little breather before the final half.
Aye Aye Capt Russ and Kevin Lambright were the first to pull to the outside and endured a first over journey, but could not catch up to General Dolan. At the head of the lane, Bikini Chaser was able to move out from his resting spot and went to work, chasing down General Dolan to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.1. Shooting in Place and Brandon Bates moved up for third.
Bikini Chaser paid $45.00 for the win, his first in his second start of the year. The four-year-old son of JK Endofanera is owned by JP Racing and trained by Joe Putnam. Joe Putnam and Katie Brown bred the gelding from their previous race mare Rockin Bikini, who took a mark of 1:51.4 and made $136,000.
Bikini Chaser now has six career wins and more than $105,000 in earnings. His career mark was taken last year as a three-year-old at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in 1:50.3. Bikini Chaser is one of three six-figure winners from Rockin Bikini, joining Droppin Bikinis and Madisons Angel with more than $100,000 on their cards.
Also a winner on the night was Classical Jane and Jordan Ross in the $8,000 conditioned trot. The four-year-old Swan for All mare followed cover in the middle stages of the race before rallying home in the stretch to fend off a late charge by Dashing Danny and Marcus Miller for the win by a neck in 1:55.3. Dans Credit and Luke Plano finished third.
Classical Jane paid $12.40 for the win. The mare is owned by Hillside Stables, Frank Baldachino, Beasty, and Backroad Stables. Henry Graber Jr. trains the mare, who is a product of Mast Standardbreds.
It was the first win in the first start of 2026 for Classical Jane, who now has seven wins and is closing in on $300,000 in earnings. Her career best time of 1:54.1 was taken last year at three at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
