The 20th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is now underway at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The track kicked off the year with a new name, new faces, and new contests to enhance the racing season extending through Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. More than $1.8 million was wagered on the 10-race card, topping the previous year's opening day tally of $1.7 million.
Racing fans were introduced to John G. Dooley, new track announcer, and Brian Arrigoni, new paddock analyst. Both Dooley and Arrigoni provided on-air information and analysis throughout the day, joining Rachel McLaughlin for the presentation.
Highest Praise, ridden by Joshua Morales, won the first race of the year in the $15,000 claiming event running five and one-half furlongs. The duo took over at the top of the stretch and drew away to a two and one-quarter length advantage at the wire. They paid $9.60 for the win, which was a trend for the day.
Out of nine Thoroughbred races, only three favorites won on the day. The average win payout was more than $28 with Rodney Prescott piloting George the Man to a win in the fifth race, paying $105.40. Prescott, two-time leading jockey at Horseshoe Indianapolis, had two wins on the card.
Horseshoe Indianapolis has brought back the popular Pick 5 wager, which has a near industry low takeout of 11.99 percent. The wager was featured in a special contest “Pick the Ponies with Arrigoni,” which drew 173 entries both online and on-track. Due to the longshots during the series, only one ticket picked up the entire wager, paying more than $54,000.
The day was polished off with one Quarter Horse race. Tooyahbooya DHD from the Tony Cunningham barn was a solid winner in the $18,000 maiden event running 250 yards. Francisco Quintero rode the three-year-old Indiana bred gelding to victory for owner-breeder David Dalton.
Racing continues Wednesday, April 20 to complete the opening week activities. The track is gearing up for the first weekend racing program set for Kentucky Derby Day Saturday, May 7. Live racing will begin at 10:10 a.m. followed by the first race at Churchill Downs at 10:30 a.m. Seating packages are available in the Clubhouse for the entire day by calling Beth Litteral at (317) 421-8801. The package includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet, Kentucky Derby glass, program, and Horseshoe Indianapolis items. The Kentucky Derby has an estimated post time of 6:55 p.m.
In addition to racing, the Kentucky Derby Day program will feature several activities and giveaways throughout the day. Included in the lineup will be a Kentucky Derby Hat contest with the top five sharing $675 in prize money, three drawings for a $1,000 Megabet on the Kentucky Derby race, a golf simulator, food trucks, Dooleys Double handicapping contest, and other interactive games and giveaways.
The 20th season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing begins Tuesday, April 19 and extends through Wednesday, Nov. 23. Live racing is conducted at 2:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday with Thursday post times set for 3:30 p.m. A total of 12 Saturdays will feature live racing in 2022 highlighted by the 28th running of the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby set for Saturday, July 9. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis.
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