Indiana Downs, which will hold all Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing in the state this year, has filled key positions and plans a meet-long improvement project for its dirt and turf racing surfaces.
Centaur Holdings, owner of Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Indiana, closed on the purchase of Indiana Downs in February. As the sole owner of pari-mutuel permits in the state, Centaur opted to end split meets, meaning all Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing will be held at Indiana Downs, and all Standardbred racing at Hoosier Park.
The two tracks, which have slot machine casinos, are located about an hour apart in the greater Indianapolis area.
Kevin Greely, who had served as Hoosier Park racing secretary and currently is assistant racing secretary at Gulfstream Park, is now director of racing at Indiana Downs. The racing secretary is Scott Peine.
"We are immensely fortunate to have him on our team," Indiana Downs general manager Jon Schuster said of Greely. "He will be a big asset to our program as we continue to enhance the quality of our racing product, and his dedication to Indiana horse racing will serve him well in this new role."
Johnnie Jamison, who was track superintendent and starter at Hoosier Park, will have those duties at Indiana Downs. Jamison also has worked as track superintendent at racetracks in the Southwest.
Indiana Downs also announced it has contracted with consultants to evaluate and make recommendations on the racing surfaces before, during, and after the 120-day meet that begins April 23.
"This all began as part of Centaur's commitment to the Indiana horse racing industry," Schuster said. "I am pleased to have three of the most highly sought-after track consultants working together with our team on this ongoing endeavor. I think these efforts not only demonstrate our commitment to the safety of our equine and human athletes, but also a commitment to continually improve our racing product at Indiana Downs."
Indiana Downs will race for four nights a week—Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays—through the end of June with a 6 p.m. EDT first post time. Mondays will be added July 1, making for five programs per week through Oct. 19, closing day.