The 20th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis kicked off Tuesday with a new name, new faces, and new contests to enhance the racing season that is extended this year through Nov. 23.
More than $1.8 million was wagered on the 10-race card Tuesday, topping the previous year’s opening day tally of $1.7 million.
Racing fans were introduced to John G. Dooley, new track announcer, and Brian Arrigoni, new paddock analyst. Both Dooley and Arrigoni provided on-air information and analysis throughout the day, joining Rachel McLaughlin for the presentation.
Highest Praise (photo), ridden by Joshua Morales, won the first race of the year in the $15,000 claiming event running five and one-half furlongs. The duo took over at the top of the stretch and drew away to a two and one-quarter length advantage at the wire. They paid $9.60 for the win, which was a trend for the day.
Out of nine Thoroughbred races, only three favorites won on the day. The average win payout was more than $28 with Rodney Prescott piloting George the Man to a win in the fifth race, paying $105.40. Prescott, two-time leading jockey at the Shelbyville track, had two wins on the card.
Horseshoe Indianapolis has brought back the popular Pick 5 wager, which has a near industry low takeout of 11.99%. The wager was featured in a special contest “Pick the Ponies with Arrigoni,” which drew 173 entries both online and on-track. Due to the longshots during the series, only one ticket picked up the entire wager, paying more than $54,000.
The day was polished off with one Quarter Horse race. Tooyahbooya DHD from the Tony Cunningham barn was a solid winner in the $18,000 maiden event running 250 yards. Francisco Quintero rode the three-year-old Indiana bred gelding to victory for owner-breeder David Dalton.
