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Indiana Tracks Set 2012 Racing Schedules

Indiana will offer 125 days of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing in 2012 under schedules recently released by Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and Indiana Downs.

Heza Wild Guy Sets Earnings Record in Loss

Will Carson and Jerry Pint's Heza Wild Guy failed in his attempt to win his fourth consecutive A.J. Foyt Stakes at Indiana Downs July 13 but did earn enough money to become the all-time leading Indiana-bred money winner.

'Wild Guy' Can Set Indy-Bred Earnings Record

Will Carson and Jerry Pint's Heza Wild Guy, now in his ninth season of racing, has a chance to become the top Indiana-bred money winner of all time July 13 in the A.J. Foyt Stakes at Indiana Downs.

No. 9 Rocket - By Tom LaMarra

Ready's Rocket holds the modern-day record for the most wins at Churchill Downs.

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Indiana Downs Sustains Storm Damage

Indiana Downs near Shelbyville, Ind., sustained damage from a severe storm that ripped through the area May 26.

New Track Record at Indiana Downs

Roland Mackie's Lion Hall set a new track record for 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02.79 at Indiana Downs May 5 while winning an allowance test by five lengths.

Indiana Racing Dodges Bullet in State Budget

Indiana lawmakers have passed a two-year, $28 billion budget that largely spares the horse racing and breeding industry, which was targeted for major reductions in the amount of revenue it receives from slot machines.

Indiana Downs Parent Files for Chapter 11

Indianapolis Downs LLC, which operates Indiana Downs and its companion Indiana Live! Casino, said April 7 it has filed voluntary Chapter 11 petitions.

Indiana Industry Fights Plan to Slash Funds

Representatives of Indiana's horse racing and breeding industry are lobbying against part of the proposed state budget that would reduce its share of revenue from racetrack gaming by about 55%.

Cordish Sues Maryland Jockey Club, Others

Cordish Cos. of Baltimore has sued the Maryland Jockey Club and the owners of Indiana Downs for allegedly conspiring to defame the company, which plans to build a slot machine casino at the Arundel Mills Mall in Maryland.

Indy Budget: 45% Cut in Racing's Slots Share

The proposed Indiana budget bill includes a line item that would almost cut in half the amount horse racing receives from racetrack slot machines.

More Money, Stakes as Hoosier Park Opens

An expanded stakes schedule and an increase in overnight purses are part of the Hoosier Park Racing & Casino Thoroughbred meet that begins July 31.

Another Handle Record as Indiana Meet Ends

Indiana Downs set a total handle record for one program when it wrapped up its 2010 meet July 14.

Track Wagering Marks Set at Indiana Downs

The most money ever was wagered June 30 on a single race, $379,220, and on a single race card, $2,140,490.

Big Purse Hike for Rest of Indiana Downs Meet

Indiana Downs, citing weather-related cancellations, will increase some overnight purses and state-bred supplements in open races 30% effective June 29. The meet ends July 14.

Churchill Hikes Purses, Warns of Competition

Churchill Downs announced June 8 it will raise overnight purses 10% effective June 12 for the final three weeks of its spring meet.

Debate Ensues Over Indiana Downs Purse Fund

When Indiana Downs didn't card a scheduled $75,000 stakes May 26 due to a shortage of entries, red flags were raised as to whether there was another reason the race wasn't run.

Ellis Park to See Increase in KTDF Money

Ellis Park will offer higher purses for some Kentucky-bred horses under a plan approved by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund advisory committee.

Indiana Horsemen Question Safety of Surface

Jockey Nelson Arroyo was sent to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis after sustaining injuries when his mount, Cause and Effect, broke down in the stretch of Indiana Downs' eighth race on April 20.

Indiana Industry Debates 'Quality of Racing'

Less than two years into its slots-at-racetracks initiative, Indiana is in conflict and debate over its Thoroughbred racing and breeding programs, and how to strike a balance between them.

Ellis Park to Suspend Simulcast Operations

Ellis Park officials said Oct. 27 the racetrack will shut down after Nov. 8 and suspend simulcast operations until April 1, 2010. The move affects 75 full- and part- time employees at the Western Kentucky track.

Indiana Downs Has Record-Setting Meet

While business nationally continues to show double-digit declines, Indiana Downs once again bucked the trends during its recently-concluded 62-day race meet. The Shelbyville track, offering a slots-enriched program, enjoyed a record-setting Thoroughbred meet, with nearly all indicators showing growth. The Indiana Downs product generated nearly $61 million in total handle, an increase of 19.5% from 2008.

Indiana HBPA Clarifies Release From Coalition

The Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association said it was part of a discussion to assist racetracks by surrendering a portion of horsemen's revenue from slot machines but isn't a member of the coalition that issued a June 16 release to that effect.

Indiana Horsemen Give Tracks Some Slots Money

Four horsemen's and breeders' organizations in Indiana said June 16 they will, over a three-year period, give racetracks a share of their revenue from slot machines to help stabilize the tracks.

Snack Stakes Has Special Meaning for Lauer

Mike Lauer would like nothing more than to win the Snack Stakes, which is named after one of the best Indiana-bred 3-year-olds to race. Snack was euthanized in March 2005 in a stakes that might have determined whether he would have participated in Triple Crown events.

Wagering System Glitch Affects Five States

Association of Racing Commissioners International president Ed Martin said April 23 a wagering system foul up April 22 poisoned wagering pools in five states affecting bettors across the country.

Indiana Downs Ups the Ante, Competition

More competition for Kentucky racing will come April 20 when Indiana Downs begins a 62-day meet featuring purse increases for most overnight races and an expanded stakes schedule worth more than $1 million.

Ellis Park, Others Squeezed by Indiana

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and Indiana Downs have submitted requests for 2009 schedules that could significantly impact surrounding states.

Indy-Bred Purses Get $800,000 Bump

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission approved a plan Aug. 14 that calls for significant increases to purses offered through the Thoroughbred Breed Development program at the upcoming Hoosier Park meet.

More Dates, More Bets at Indiana Downs

Despite downward trends in wagering nationwide, Indiana Downs bucked the trend by staying relatively flat during its 54-day Thoroughbred meet that ended July 8.

Indy Tracks: $26M in Slots Revenue

The slots era in Indiana is off to a strong start as the casinos at both Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs combined to pull in a little more than $26 million in adjusted gross receipts during the first month of operation.

Indiana Downs Opens Slots Facility

The temporary "Indiana Live!" slot-machine casino at Indiana Downs opened to the public June 9, ushering in a richer future for the state's horsemen. But purses won't be going up any time soon.

Indiana Jocks Receive Mount Fee Increase

Jockeys riding at Indiana Downs and Hoosier Park will receive a two-stage increase in their losing mount fees beginning Monday, May 26 at Indiana Downs.

Indiana Extends Steroids Grace Period

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission voted May 12 to extend the grace period for anabolic steroid positives at Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs to 90 days.

Hot-Handed Mojica Bags 1,000th Winner

Jockey Orlando Mojica, one of the top riders at the recent winter/spring meet at Turfway Park, booted home his 1,000th career winner April 26 at Indiana Downs.

Indiana Downs Begins Transition Meet

Indiana Downs enjoyed a promising start to its 54-day Thoroughbred meet April 25-26, with large crowds and strong wagering. Indiana Downs will offer racing through July 8.

With Slots on Way, Changes in Indiana

Steroids, new emergency rules for horse racing, and updates on racetrack casino construction at Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs dominated the discussion during the March 11 Indiana Horse Racing Commission meeting.

Indiana Sticks With Steroids Plan

Indiana is moving forward with plans to implement regulation and testing of anabolic steroids in racehorses April 1.

Hoosier Park Owner Closes on $1B Financing Package

Centaur Inc., owner of Hoosier Park in Indiana, closed Oct. 30 on a $1-billion financing package, almost half of which will be used to develop a slot-machine casino at Hoosier.

Indiana Tracks to Offer 117 Thoroughbred Dates in 2008

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission has unanimously approved the Thoroughbred racing calendar for 2008, awarding 117 days for the state's horsemen at two racetracks.

Signals Restored in Indiana, But Questions Linger

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission's ban on the import of signals from Arlington Park and Calder Race Course turned out to be short-lived.

Indiana Commission Bans Arlington, Calder Signals

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission voted unanimously Aug. 21 to ban the import of signals from Arlington Park and Calder Race Course at all wagering outlets in the state.

Hoosier Park Gets OK to Build Slots Facility

Hoosier Park officials were given the green light Aug. 21 to break ground on a proposed 92,000 square-foot slot-machine casino.

Indy Commission Could Rule on Simulcast Status

It appears the simulcast signals from Arlington Park and Calder Race Course could be pulled from other Indiana wagering outlets, this time at the urging of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission.

Indiana Weighs Options After CDI Pulls Signals

Indiana Downs is weighing its options in the wake of a decision by Churchill Downs Inc. to pull its racing signals from an Indiana Downs-owned off-track wagering parlor.

Indiana Downs Posts 28% Hike in Total Handle

Indiana Downs reported handle growth during its 2007 Thoroughbred meet, including a 28.71% increase in total wagering on the live product. Total handle has more than doubled since 2005.

Indiana Racetracks Buy Land With Expansion in Mind

Two Indiana racetracks are buying land for the purpose of expanding their operations given the advent of slot machines.

Indiana Racetrack Slots Bill Headed to Governor

Indiana lawmakers advanced a bill to the desk of Gov. Mitch Daniels late April 29 that would permit slot machines at Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs, but each track must pay $250 million up front for a slots license.

Proposal Calls for Auction of Racetrack Slots Licenses

An Indiana legislator has proposed licenses to operate slot machines at two racetracks in the state be auctioned to the highest bidder.

Indiana Racetrack Slots Bill Advances Again

The Indiana Senate has approved legislation that would authorize slot machines at Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs. The measure now goes back to the House of Representatives, where changes made by the Senate can be approved or rejected.