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Recap of 2022 racing season at Horseshoe Indianapolis

Indiana Derby handle tops seven million

For the seventh straight year, the Indiana Derby program raised the bar in handle. Actuator and James Graham were winners in the featured 28th running of the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby Saturday, July 9. The $2,200 yearling purchase is now a Graded Stakes winner for his connections during a new record handle day of $7,201.564 for Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Moved back to Saturday since the 2019 running of the event, the program included numerous ancillary activities, including three - $1,000 Indiana Derby Megabet Win Wager drawings, a cigar rolling station, and a special $2,500 Indiana Derby Legends online handicapping contest with a record 317 players

A total of eight stakes races were held on the card, including the 27th running of the Grade 3 $200,000 Indiana Oaks won by Interstatedaydream and Florent Geroux.

 

Bradshaw wins Road to Louisville including yearling from ITOBA Sale

Anthony Bradshaw, longtime horseplayer and factory worker of Louisville, Ky. topped a field of more than 450 players in the Road to Louisville to earn the grand prize of $1,000 and the option to purchase an Indiana yearling at the ITOBA Fall Mixed Sale in October. A total of $30,000 was granted to Bradshaw toward the purchase courtesy of Horseshoe Indianapolis and Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (ITOBA).

Bradshaw selected Trainer Tony Granitz and through consultation, purchased Hip No. 36, Jailhouse Justice, for $8,000 leaving $22,000 in his account for expenses incurred while the colt prepares for racing in 2023. Bradshaw immediately nicknamed the colt “JJ,” who was Bradshaw’s top pick for the sale.

“JJ” was transported to Elliott Farms following the sale to begin the process of breaking and training and the Harry’s Holiday colt will join the Granitz Stable in early 2023.

 

    AQHA Challenge Championships attract some of the best in the nation

    Five Graded Stakes races were held as part of the prestigious Bank of America       Challenge Championships, the first time the event has been held East of the Mississippi in it’s 29-year running. The event attracted some of the nation’s top Quarter Horses, including World Champion Danjer, who was a winner in the Grade 1 $269,627 Bank of America Challenge Championship.

 

Other winners on the night included Dance the Dust Off in the Cox Distance Challenge, Meet Me Out Back in the John Deere Juvenile Challenge, Nothin Like You in the Adequan Derby Challenge, and Valiant Miss Priss in the Q Racing Video Challenge. The evening included giveaways and contests with a packed house on hand to witness the historic event. 

 

 

Indiana Champions Day tops $1 million in purses

A total of seven stakes were featured for the third annual Indiana Champions Day placing the spotlight on the state’s top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse athletes. More than $1 million was offered on the card, including the richest Indiana Quarter Horse stakes ever in the $201,500 Miss Roxie Little Futurity won by Winner Spirit and James Flores.

The highlight of the day was a special appearance by Forrie J. Smith, who portrays “Lloyd” on the hit television show “Yellowstone.” Smith presented the trophy for two stakes on the day, including the $250,000 Lady Fog Horn winner No More Fake News for jockey DeShawn Parker and Trainer Gary Patrick. Smith also met with numerous fans for autographs and photos.

Handle for the afternoon’s 12-race card topped $2 million.

 

     Historic heat causes cancellations, changes in racing

Central Indiana was plagued with extreme heat on two separate occasions that canceled racing and caused adjustment for post times on others. Three days were canceled in mid-June with racing moved to an evening start for three days June 21 through 23. 

 

Additionally, adjustments and cancellations were made in late July due to the heat indexes that reached triple digits. Racing was held in late morning July 20 to escape the hottest part of the day with safe racing conditions at top of mind for the human and equine participants.

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