The Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) met Tuesday and approved a request for dates for the 2022 racing season at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino in Shelbyville, Indiana.
The 127-day racing season will begin April 19 and end Nov. 23. The schedule marks the most racing dates in one season for Indiana Grand Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing.
“We are constantly looking at the landscape of racing to determine what works best for our horsemen and our racing product,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “We feel we have become a national presence during the early part of the week, so we want to keep that intact, but we also want to provide weekend opportunities for our on-track racing guests. We think our 2022 racing dates will accommodate both our simulcasting patrons and horsemen as well as our on-track racing fans with a few more weekend racing opportunities next season.”
The bulk of the racing season will be contested Monday through Thursday. First post Monday through Wednesday will be 2:30 p.m. while racing on Thursdays will begin at 3:30 p.m.
Of the 127 days, seven will be Saturday cards dedicated to Quarter Horse racing with a start time of 10 a.m. Included in the Quarter Horse days will be the AQHA Bank of America Challenge Championships set for Oct. 22 with a first post of 6 p.m.
Indiana Grand will offer five Saturdays of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. Live racing will be conducted May 7 during Kentucky Derby Day with a post time yet to be determined. Three summer dates are included with racing set for June 11, July 9 and August 6. Post times for each of these cards will be 5 p.m.
The final weekend racing program is set for Oct. 29 featuring Indiana Champions Day with nine stakes included on the card for both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. The event will begin at noon.
Finally, special holiday racing programs will be held May 30 and July 4 beginning at noon. Also, Thursday racing in November will move to 2:30 p.m. due to shorter daytime hours in Indiana.
The 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is now in progress and continues through Nov. 11. Live racing is conducted at 2:25 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 11. First post all other Thursdays leading up to the end of the meet is 3:25 p.m.
A special Indiana Champions Day highlighting the state’s top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses will be held Oct. 30, beginning at noon.
