Eric Halstrom | Horse Racing Free Tips

Eclipse Features on Horseshoe Indianapolis Opening Day

The 22nd season opener at Horseshoe Indianapolis will begin with a noon first post time Monday, but the racing action will pause at 2:30 p.m. with the Shelbyville racetrack positioned right on the line of totality of the solar eclipse.

Patrons will be treated to local entertainment from Lindsey Flannery, Kitt Hammond, Nick Fischer, and Garry Lauziere and The Endless Summer Band. Giveaways include chairs, T-shirts, racing calendars, and viewing glasses, while supplies last, while equine artist Sally Mize will create a live portrait during the afternoon and fans of all ages will enjoy facepainting, strolling entertainment, and the Magic Mirror Selfie Station.

All activities will pause at 3 p.m. until the eclipse comes out of totality. The Endless Summer Band resumes until 4 p.m. leading into the final two races of the day featuring Quarter Horse action.

The racing program features eight races, including the $55,000 Total Eclipse of the Heart Overnight H. and the $55,000 Dark Side of the Moon Overnight H. Both events will be run at 5 1/2 furlongs and feature some of the best older Indiana horses in the state.

“What a great way to kick off our racing season,” said Eric Halstrom, the track's vice president and general manager of racing. “We felt tying our season opener to the Total Solar Eclipse would be a unique way to showcase our racing program while providing a fun afternoon of activities during such a monumental day for Central Indiana. Our facility sits right on the line of totality, so it will be a popular area to watch the Eclipse.”

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Record Purse Money For Horseshoe Indianapolis Stakes

A record $5.03 million has been allocated to the 2024 stakes schedule at Horseshoe Indianapolis, a program highlighted by the $300,000 GIII Indiana Derby and the $200,000 GIII Indiana Oaks, each to be contested Saturday, July 6, 2024.

Some 42 stakes will be offered over the course of the season, which gets off to a unique beginning on Monday, Apr. 8 to coincide with Total Solar Eclipse Day. The afternoon's features include the appropriately named Dark Side of the Moon and Total Eclipse of the Heart handicaps for Indiana-bred and -sired horses.

“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.”

The track will also play host to the Caesars S. and Horseshoe Indianapolis S. for 3-year-old males and fillies, respectively, and are the richest events on 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.”

Derby and Oaks day is the highlight of the annual calendar and continues to grow in popularity.

“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.”

The 22nd season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Thursday, Nov. 14.

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Horseshoe Indy Makes Veteran’s Day Donation To HVAF

Team members and racing fans at Horseshoe Indianapolis participated in the third annual Veteran's Day event Nov. 10 to raise proceeds for the Hoosier Veterans and Families, Inc. (HVAF) of Indiana, according to a release by the track Monday.

The event featured several ways to raise funding and awareness for veterans including naming each race in honor of a veteran associated in some way to Horseshoe Indianapolis. Special saddle towels were also awarded to veterans and family members honored during the racing program. Additionally, a Veteran's Day Pick 5 Challenge was held featuring handicappers placing wagers into the Late Fire Five with all proceeds set going to HVAF.

“This is the third year we have offered the Pick Five Challenge on Veteran's Day and each year, these handicappers are eager to be involved with the cause,” said Horseshoe Indianapolis Vice President and GM Eric Halstrom.

In addition to funding raised from the Veteran's Day event, Horseshoe Indianapolis provided a $4,000 donation. Halstrom recently presented HVAF with a check for $4,430.15.

“Being able to be a small part of assistance for veterans is very rewarding for us,” added Halstrom. “We are proud to be an annual partner with HVAF.”

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Horseshoe Indianapolis Adjusts Post Times, Race Days Due to Extreme Heat

Horseshoe Indianapolis has moved up its first post Wednesday to 10 a.m. and has moved its entire Thursday card to next Monday due to excessive heat warnings for Central Indiana this week.

“Safety for our equine athletes and all the individuals who work outdoors during our racing program always comes first at Horseshoe Indianapolis,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “After reviewing weather predictions for this week that includes excessive heat warnings, we want to be proactive and get the necessary changes in place. We wanted to avoid any cancellations of racing days as our horsemen work hard to get their horses ready to race and a cancellation directly impacts their business operations. We feel by moving post times and racing dates, it should be a better environment for everyone involved.”

Live racing will go on as planned Tuesday, with its scheduled 2:30 p.m. first post time.

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