Horseshoe Indianapolis has released its top five racing stories from the 2023 racing season in Shelbyville.
Record Handle
The 123-day racing season wrapped up a stellar season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. The books were overhauled with record breaking wagering performances during the season.
Overall, a total of $279,330,441 was accumulated in handle, up a total of 22.35% from 2022, which had a record setting season on its own of $228,305,425.
The meet’s highlight came on Indiana Derby Day on July 8 when handle surged past $7.9 million, a new single day total, with the Indiana Derby also establishing a new single race handle record of more than $1.1 million. In all, Indiana Derby Week, extending over five days leading up to the Indiana Derby, brought in $19,199,758, recording the best week ever at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
The second highest weekly handle was recorded during Caesars Week in mid-May with $13,201,655 accumulated, ranking fifth on the list of all-time leading weekly handles in the 21-year history of the track.
Verifying wins Indiana Derby
Kentucky Derby starter Verifying scored the victory in the 29th running of the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby and gave three-time leading jockey Marcelino Pedroza Jr. his first win in the track’s biggest race.
Raise Cain and jockey Luan Machado joined Verifying in the stretch, but Verifying held him off to win by a nose. Cagliostro and Edgar Morales moved up the inside to finish third.
Verifying (photo with Pedroza Jr. aboard) was the people’s choice, paying $3.20 for the win. The Justify colt is owned by Westerberg LTD, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Jonathan Poulin. Brad Cox trains the talented sophomore.
The Indiana Derby capped off a full day of racing, featuring eight total premier races with purses extending beyond the $1.1 million mark. The day also brought in another record Indiana Derby Day handle for the fourth straight year with $7,980,494.45.
Road to Louisville winner
Georgetown, Kentucky, resident Tom Congalosi was the winner of the second $30,000 horse option from Road to Louisville. Congalosi finished second overall behind Jeffrey Hampton of Southern Indiana during the 16-week contest, but Hampton did not opt in for the horse.
Congalosi chose Tim Eggleston as his trainer and attended the ITOBA Fall Sale, purchasing Hip No. 5, Highspeed Justice for $5,900. The remaining balance of the $30,000 will be placed into his account to cover expenses for the filly as she makes her way to a racing debut in 2024.
Quarter Horse Racing
Quarter Horse racing surged in 2023 in both participation and handle numbers. A total of $24.098 million was accumulated compared to 2022, which had a record total handle of $21.719 million.
The first of five All-Quarter Horse days June 3 drew total handle of more than $998,000, a new record for most money accumulated during a Quarter Horse racing day. The second highest day of the meet was Oct. 7 when more than $902,000 was wagered on the all-Quarter Horse racing program.
Indiana sire Jess Zoomin also made national headlines as his freshman daughter, Jes an Angel, was named AQHA Two-Year-Old Filly of the Year.
Peyton Manning visits
NFL Great Peyton Manning stopped by the winner’s circle following PDJF Day at Horseshoe Indianapolis prior to attending a VIP event in the casino. Manning signed autographs and took photos with fans. Betty Strohm of Greenwood, Indiana, won a special VIP Meet and Greet experience with the Hall of Fame football player.
Manning also assisted with a $30,000 check presentation to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund made by Caesars Entertainment, who hosted the annual Jockeys and Jeans fundraiser June 24 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, an event that raised a record $400,000 for the PDJF.
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