Though the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational is a week away, harness racing fans don’t have to wait that long to see something at least half as good.

Tonight’s ninth race at Hoosier Park, the $23,000 Invitational Handicap, will have five of the 10 horses expected to go to the gate for next Saturday’s Dan Patch.

“I thought all along that probably four would come (to the Invitational Pace),” said Kevin Mack, the track’s director of operations. “But it’s really nice to have five. That purse is really good incentive to come early.”

Heading the list of entrants for this year’s Patch is Maltese Artist, the defending champion for the event.. The five-year-old gelding has only two starts this season, scoring a win and a second place finish. He will begin his journey today from post one in which Mike Wilder will be on hand to drive.

Joining Maltese Artist in preparing for this year’s Dan Patch is Spirit Of A Shark, a newcomer to Indiana. The five-year-old gelding has four wins in eight outings for 2006. His fastest time was recorded at The Meadowlands two starts back in 1:48.4. Spirit Of A Shark will be guided by two-time Dan Patch winning driver Ricky Macomber from post eight.

Other horses headed to the Dan Patch include Team Hutch, who makes his first start of 2006; Mypanmar, second place finisher in last week’s Invitational Pace; and Rebelman, who is two for two this season at Hoosier Park. Rebelman, an Indiana-sired five-year-old gelding, will be the local hope in this year’s contest. Joe Essig Jr. will drive.

For the second straight year, the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational will include 10 starters. Other horses pointing to the event include Casimir Camotion, Primetime Bobcat, Tigerama, Escape The Wind and Hop Sing, winner of six races and more than $253,000 this year.

“We should have the top three horses coming from Canada along with the top-rated horse in this county (Hop Sing),” said Mack. “I’m really pleased with the horses who have indicated they’ll come.”

All of the horses likely to make the Dan Patch will be in action this weekend, which will make Mack a regular television viewer and give him very little rest.

“I’ll sleep about 45 minutes a night until the horses go to the gate for the Dan Patch,” said Mack. “I’ll talk to each trainer on Sunday or Monday and find out how each of the horses came out of their race this weekend.”

First post tonight is 6:45 p.m. Live racing runs Wednesday through Sunday evenings at the Anderson facility.