Eric Halstrom | Horse Racing Free Tips

From Gator To Gatorade: Backstretch Café Working Overtime To Serve Indiana Grand

The Backstretch Café at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino has long been a staple for horsemen and horsewomen working in the barn area. Earlier this spring, new safety measures were put in place to follow Covid-19 state restrictions, which altered the business model of the restaurant, located at the entrance to the barn area.

Backstretch Café Food and Beverage Supervisor Melissa Ruddick jumped into action and came up with a plan to serve those who work in the barn area. All she needed was a Gator and some Gatorade to get started.

“We wanted to find a way to continue to serve all the people that work both in the barn area and in our track maintenance department because it's difficult for them to leave and go off property to get food and drinks when they are working,” said Ruddick. “So, we began preparing portable options. We provide service six days a week and now make three rounds on race days to accommodate everyone.”

Ruddick, along with Kayla Dudley, start before morning training hours get underway. Their day begins at 5:30 a.m. and they travel by Gator from barn to barn, offering everything from breakfast sandwiches to cold drinks and hot coffee. Their breakfast service continues until approximately 10 a.m. before they head back to the Café and begin preparing lunch. Pre-packaged sandwiches are put together and the ladies follow the same process through the barns with a flat price of $5, which includes a food item and drink.

“We try to have a few different specials every day for breakfast and lunch,” added Ruddick. “We have even created bags for each order that already includes disposable utensils, condiments, and napkins so it's easy for them to carry. We are cash only to make the process as quick as possible and to avoid as much contact as possible to follow restrictions.”

Ruddick and Dudley make one final swing through the barn area after racing begins at 2:20 p.m. and wrap up their day around 5 p.m., giving participants during the afternoon racing card the opportunity to grab something before or after a race. Once the delivery day is complete, they go through all safety procedures to ensure everything has been sanitized and is ready to go for the next day's deliveries.

“Melissa and Kayla have a sincere care for our horsemen and employees and this service has been very well received, “ said Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing. “The pandemic has forced us into thinking differently about a lot of things which includes how we serve food while following strict protocols in the barn area. We're lucky to have such a wonderful Food and Beverage Team.”

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Indiana Grand Opens To Record Wagering Totals; Handle Over $9.8 Million On First Four Cards

Indiana Grand Racing & Casino recorded its best wagering week ever in handle to kick off the 18th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. Over the first four days of racing, a total of $9,867,445 was wagered on 35 Thoroughbred and 10 Quarter Horse races.

The previous best week of handle was recorded during Indiana Derby Week in 2019. A total of $8,673,496 was wagered over four days to establish a new record for most handle recorded in one week of racing.

“The reception of our racing program on a national level has been outstanding,” said Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing at Indiana Grand. “The entire team has worked through some very difficult times to ensure operations are meeting all requirements set by the state due to Covid-19 protocols. It's really rewarding to all of us to have racing fans be so invested in our racing product. It sure sets the tone for our entire season and we are working hard to keep that momentum going.”

One of the new facets of the racing program that has been popular this season is a new lower takeout on the Pick 5. Held on the last five Thoroughbred races daily, the wager provides a reduced takeout of 11.99 percent, one of the lowest in the country. Pools for the wager are averaging over 71,000 and payouts for the 50-cent minimum wager are averaging more than $3,100.

“We are trying to find ways to cater to our racing fans and providing a lower takeout on the Pick 5 is a great way to engage horseplayers,” added Halstrom. “We will continue to find ways to captivate our racing audience in all sorts of ways, both on track and through simulcasting.”

Live racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 18 with action held Monday through Thursday beginning at 2:20 p.m. Four Saturday programs are slated for all-Quarter Horse days set for July 4, Aug. 8, Oct. 23 and Oct. 24.

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Appropriately-Named Sentimentaljourney Wins Indiana Opener In Honor Of Late Jon Schuster

The winner of the season opener could not have been more appropriately named. Sentimentaljourney, ridden by Albin Jimenez, scored the win in the first race of the season named in honor of Jonathan B. Schuster, former vice president and general manager at Indiana Grand who passed away over the winter.

A recent claim by Owner Maggi Moss, Sentimentaljourney was making her first start for the Tom Amoss Stable in the $37,000 allowance. The three-year-old daughter of Unbridled Express was claimed out of her last start a Fair Grounds in February with hopes of spending the summer at Indiana Grand.

“This was a Maggi Moss idea,” said Amoss, who has numerous track records to his credit in Indiana, including six training titles. “Because she (Sentimentaljourney) was Indiana sired and bred, we decided to take the plunge and what a beautiful payoff with the win today. We sure do miss the fans here, though. This is one of our favorite tracks to race at.”

Sentimentaljourney began her debut for the Amoss-Moss connection from post four. Jimenez sat patiently in mid pack of the eight-horse field as Betcha and Rocco Bowen surged to the front from the outside to lead the way in the five-furlong sprint. In the stretch, Sentimentaljourney found an inside path and surged through, scoring the win by one and three-quarter lengths over Forbidden Fruit and Malcolm Franklin. Real Deputee and Fernando De La Cruz finished third. The time of the sprint was 1:00.51.

“We were sitting along the rail and were just waiting,” said Jimenez, the track's 2015 leading jockey. “When the inside opened up, she went right through. It feels great to be back and I'm happy to be riding here this summer. Hopefully, we will see spectators soon. I miss having them here.”

The favorite of the field, Sentimentaljourney paid $5.20, $4.00 and $3.00 across the board. It was her second win in nine career starts and the first of 2020. She now has in excess of $55,000 on her card.

The 18th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing started with a tribute to Schuster by Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing. Chaplain Otto Thorwarth held a moment of silence followed by a prayer to lead into the first race named in Schuster's honor.

“Jon was not only a great GM, he was a great friend,” added Amoss. “Anything you called upon him for, he was there for the horsemen. He was truly a horsemen's GM and will be missed.”

Live racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 18 with action held Monday through Thursday beginning at 2:20 p.m. Four Saturday programs are slated for all-Quarter Horse days with a preliminary first post set at 2:20 p.m. July 4, Aug. 8, Oct. 23 and Oct. 24. Continuing in line with Governor Holcomb's plan to return to full operations for businesses in the state of Indiana, spectators are expected to return beginning July 4.

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