Local Sports

Randy Klopp wins first Leading Trainer title at Indiana Grand

Trainer Randy Klopp knows it takes a village to achieve success, and he was surrounded by those who had a part in the success of his stable for the 2021 Leading Thoroughbred Trainer of the Year award at Indiana Grand.

Although Klopp has been among the track’s top five trainers for nearly a decade, the 2021 title is the first one for him.

“There are a lot of people to thank,” said Klopp. “I want to start off with Lesalene Pompell, my assistant. She does an outstanding job. And also thank you to all the help and to the riders who won races for us this year. That includes Andrea Rodriguez, Joe Ramos, Alex Achard, DeShawn Parker, and Tommy Pompell. And a special thank you to all the owners this season. It’s been a great year.”

Klopp and his wife, Liz, own a farm in Rushville, Indiana, and opted to bypass a trip to Florida last winter to stay at Indiana Grand to train. Horses from their barn have won 59 races and accumulated purse money of more than $1.2 million. Overall, Klopp has won 347 career Indiana training victories, which moves him into fifth place on the list of all-time leading trainers in the 19-year history of racing at Indiana Grand.

Klopp took out his trainer’s license in 1992 and has competed all around the Midwest with a focus on Indiana when pari-mutuel racing began in 1995. He is celebrating his biggest year as a trainer in 2021 and surged past $1 million in earnings for the first time. With more than $12 million in career earnings, the multiple stakes winning trainer has now won 672 races.

Klopp had several top performers throughout the season, including four wins apiece from Polo Art and Short Summer Dress.

“The stakes win by Short Summer Dress was probably our most memorable win from the year,” added Klopp.

With the conclusion of the 2021 racing meet, Klopp has already turned his attention to next season.

“We have 18 horses that will be three-year-olds next year that have never run,” said Klopp. Plus, we have eight two-year-olds so far for next year, so we have a lot to look forward to in 2022.”

Search

Weather


Obits

Entertainment