Photo by Dean Gillette
Compatible was a perfect match for the conditioned trotters in the $10,000 event Thursday, May 21 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Guided by trainer Ross Leonard, Compatible fended off challengers from both sides to reach the wire first in 1:59.4.
Compatible began from post six in the seven horse lineup. Leonard pointed him to the lead, but Helpfund and Brandon Bates were the first to reach the top spot. Compatible stayed on task and took over after the quarter in :30.3. However, his time on the front end was short lived as Helpfund was back out and took over the top spot. This also spurred Bryce Canyon and Dan Shetler to move out and become the third leader of the race by the half in 1:02.1. Compatible stayed up with the top two around the final turn and was ready to pounce when the stretch arrived.
Helpfund and Bryce Canyon were not giving in and Compatible stayed tucked in behind Helpfund until midway down the stretch. Once he tipped out, he hit another gear and trotted by his inside opponents while Lil Checkmate and Mike Peterson were closing quickly on the outside. In the end, Compatible was a winner by three-quarters of a length, a final quarter in :27.2. Lil Checkmate was a full length ahead of Helpfund for second.
Compatible paid $6.60 for the win. The three-year-old son of Dover Dan is owned by Redracer LLC, Redline Racing Stables, Rachel Leonard, and Greg Samples. Richard Fry bred and raised the gelding, who was a $16,000 purchase from the Northern Indiana Yearling Speed Sale. It was his first win of the season in his third start. He now has three wins with his career best time of 1:58.1 taken last fall at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
Dan Shetler and Swan’s Masterpiece scored a win in the very next race in a similar event for trotters. The sophomore son of Swan for All moved to the lead early and then was overtaken by several horses led by Great Commission and Trace Tetrick. Swan’s Masterpiece was back out and moving up first over in the second half and was in full mode when the stretch arrived.
In the stretch, Swan’s Masterpiece went to work, trotting home in :28.1 for the win by two lengths in 1:56.0. TJ’s Dream and Atlee Bender maintained ground for second followed by Brookview Gold and Mike Micallef for third.
Swan’s Masterpiece is owned by Dan Shetler, Stephen Stoll, David Yoder, and Leon DeVisser. Victory Hill Farm bred the gelding, who is trained by Shetler. It was his second win in three starts for 2026 and his fourth overall in 12 outings. His career best time was recorded in the mile, besting his previous win this season by two fifths of a second.
