Local Sports

More than $4.75 million in purses set for 2023 stakes schedule at Horseshoe Indianapolis

The Thoroughbred Stakes Schedule has been set for the 2023 racing season at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville. A total of $4.75 million will be dispersed over 38 events led by the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby slated for July 8.

The Indiana Derby and the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks will be part of the $1.1 million eight-stakes lineup on Indiana Derby Day. Joining the Derby and Oaks races are the $100,000 Michael G. Schaefer Memorial and the $100,000 Mari Hulman George Memorial. Also, four turf stakes are on the card led by the $100,000 Indiana General Assembly, the $100,000 Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial, the $100,000 Snack Stakes and the $100,000 Ellen’s Lucky Star Stakes.

“Each year, Indiana Derby Day continues to grow and set new handle records,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “Our racing office staff works very hard to assemble top quality fields for each of these stakes. With all the activities surrounding the event, Indiana Derby Day has become one of Indiana’s biggest summer sporting events and attracts some of the nation’s top three-year-olds. It’s definitely a day to put on our calendars each July.”

 

 

The 2023 stakes schedule also includes 10 stakes slated for the turf course. The turf stakes are led by the 18th running of the $150,000 Caesars Stakes on May 17. The one-mile Black Type event leads four stakes on the day and will be joined by the $150,000 Horseshoe Indianapolis Stakes for the fillies, also running at one mile.

“We have a great balance of stakes for younger horses, older horses, and events on the dirt and the turf,” said Chris Polzin, Director of Racing. “We have moved a couple stakes to the day before Indiana Derby for the first time this year to create more stakes racing opportunities for those coming in for the Indiana Derby program. We work alongside out horsemen’s group to ensure we have the best possible schedule that accommodates everyone.”

Of the 38 stakes for the 123-day racing season, 28 stakes are dedicated to Indiana bred and sired horses. More than $2.9 million will be dispersed to horses that are part of the lucrative breeding program in Indiana.

The 21st season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing begins April 18. Live racing will be held Monday through Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., with Thursday post time set for 2:10 p.m. Saturday racing will be held during the summer months featuring six all-Quarter Horse dates June 3, July 1, Aug. 12, Sept. 2 and Oct. 7 beginning at 10:45 a.m.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Search

Weather


Obits

Entertainment