A total of $5.030 million will be allotted in 2024 for the Thoroughbred Premier Racing Schedule, marking a new record for purse money offered for the program in Horseshoe Indianapolis history.
The schedule is highlighted by the 30th running of the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby and Grade 3 $200,000 Indiana Oaks set for Saturday, July 6. First post is 12 p.m. Indiana Derby Day.
A total of 42 premier races will be held during the 22nd season of Thoroughbred racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, beginning Monday, April 8 with two handicaps for Total Solar Eclipse Day. The afternoon racing program features the $55,000 Dark Side of the Moon and the $55,000 Total Eclipse of the Heart events for Indiana sired and bred horses. Racing begins at 12 p.m. and will take a break during the main portion of the total solar eclipse event, picking back up following the rare experience.
“We are in the direct line of the total solar eclipse path and thought it was a unique opportunity to offer racing around this phenomena,” explained Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “We have worked closely with our horsemen’s organization to provide a full day of racing on such a monumental day, which will not occur in North America again until 2044. We will showcase our older Indiana horses in two handicaps during the racing program and hope to expose our racing product to all whole new group of people expected in our area.”
Horseshoe Indianapolis will also feature the Caesars and Horseshoe Indianapolis Wednesday, May 15, both Black Type events. The races are the richest events over the turf in Indiana.
“Our Caesars Day has become a great afternoon for us in mid-May,” explained Halstrom. “We have found the perfect spot for these Black Type turf events. We have seen some really talented horses in both of these races over the past few years.”
The highlight of the season is Indiana Derby Weekend, which has now expanded to include two days of action Friday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6. A total of 10 premier races are featured over two days with the spotlight on the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby Sat. July 6. The race is Indiana’s biggest horse race and draws high caliber three-year-olds into Indiana each year, including Triple Crown participants. The addition of the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks for three-year-old fillies only strengthens the afternoon card, which has set track records for money wagered the past five years.
“The Indiana Derby continues to grow, and we saw the track’s first $8 million handle day last season,” added Halstrom. “This program has become a staple on the summer event calendar for local racing fans as well as our national racing audience. With the addition of Indiana premier races on the day, it gives us a full platform to showcase our state’s racing program and feature local participants on a day that captures national attention. And last season, we coupled it with two National Horseplayers Championship qualifiers that were well received and brought in a whole new audience for Indiana Derby Day.”
Several name changes to premier races have taken place this year to include past Indiana champions Nobody Listens and Piedi Bianchi, both former year-end award winners. Also, races were named in honor of Joe Davis and Brian Elmore, both outgoing executives of the Indiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.
“We wanted to do something to honor both Joe (Davis) and Brian (Elmore) and felt a race named in their honor would be a good way to thank them for their service over the past few years,” noted Halstrom. “We truly appreciate the partnership we have had with them and will strive to continue to move the Indiana premier racing program forward.”
The premier racing schedule will once again culminate for the fifth annual Indiana Champions Day featuring the state’s top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses Saturday, Oct. 26. More than $1.1 million will be allotted over eight races, providing a great way to showcase the top horses of 2024.
The 22nd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing begins with a special Monday, April 8 racing program at 12 p.m. for the Total Solar Eclipse Day. Racing extends through Thursday, Nov. 14. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis .
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