Eric Halstrom | Horse Racing Free Tips

Grayson Grass Challenge Returns to Horseshoe Indianapolis Aug. 1

The Grayson Grass Challenge–a five-week handicapping contest to raise money for the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, returns to Horseshoe Indianapolis for the fourth time beginning Aug. 1 and continuing through Aug. 31.

Participants in the challenge submit selections on two specified races held each week at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Each contestant will be given a $500 bankroll provided by Horseshoe Indianapolis from which participants can make win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta wagers. At the end of the five weeks, all remaining bankrolls, plus winnings from the contestants will go to Grayson.

“Since its inception three years ago, the Grayson Grass Challenge has been a highlight for Horseshoe Indianapolis by attracting engagement in our races and drawing attention to the crucial work Grayson does,” said Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of Racing for Horseshoe Indianapolis. “We are proud to sponsor this contest again and raise money for research that helps all horses.”

The field for the Grayson Grass Challenge will consist of the following handicappers: Brian Arrigoni, paddock analyst, Horseshoe Indianapolis; Ed DeRosa, vice president, Content & Product Development, Horse Racing Nation; Scott Ehlers, handicapper, Daily Racing Form; Nick Luck, international racing broadcaster; Rachel McLaughlin, racing analyst and production manager, Horseshoe Indianapolis; Ellis Starr, national racing analyst for Equibase; Jenna Otten, Caesars Entertainment Racing analyst; and Daniel Tordjman, manager, Partnerships & Sponsorships, America's Best Racing.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is traditionally the nation's leading source of private funding for equine medical research that benefits all breeds of horses. Since 1940, the foundation has provided more than $40 million to fund more than 426 projects at 45 universities in North America and overseas. Additional information about the foundation is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.

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Horseshoe Indianapolis Opens 2023 Season Tuesday

Horseshoe Indianapolis is set to open for its 21st season of live racing on Tuesday, Apr. 18 with a 10-race card consisting of nine Thoroughbred races and one for Quarter Horses. Racing will be conducted for 123 days through Nov. 17 on a Monday-through-Thursday schedule with a handful of Saturday night cards for Thoroughbreds only added beginning Jun. 3 and concluding Sept. 2.

“We have a lot to look forward to in 2023,” Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing, said. “Our barn area is nearly full already. We have had horses ship in from all over the United States. Entries have been strong for our first two days. We are glad to welcome a few new stables this year and will work to keep the momentum going from last season where we had a record-setting year in handle.

“Every year, we have some really nice horses that train and race here. Last year, Angel of Empire (Classic Empire) started off his career here and had two wins for trainer Brad Cox. He is now headed to this year's Kentucky Derby. This is just an example of some of the top horses we see throughout the season.”

The track's signature event, the 29th running of the $300,000 GIII Indiana Derby slated for Saturday, Jul. 8.
Post time Monday through Wednesday will be 2:30 p.m. CDT, with Thursday post time set for 2:10 p.m. Saturday night cards will begin at 5:30 p.m.

For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit the Horseshoe Indianapolis website.

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Horseshoe Indianapolis Cuts Pick 6, Adds Pick 5 to Wagering Menu

Horseshoe Indianapolis will eliminate the Jackpot Pick 6 from its wagering format in 2023 and will add an additional Pick 5 to its menu.

“Our team stays engaged with customers year-round and there's no question that the single most requested change from many of our best players was to eliminate the Jackpot Straight Fire 6,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “We have listened and are taking the Jackpot Pick 6 off the wagering format in 2023. It will be replaced with an additional Pick 5 on the first five Thoroughbred races daily and we think this will be a win-win for both our customers and horsemen.”

The Late Fire 5 joins the current Pick 5, which moves to the first five Thoroughbred races on the program. Both wagers will offer an industry low takeout of 11.99%. Each racing program will also retain two pick four wagers on the card, with the first Pick 4 held starting on the second Thoroughbred race and the late pick 4 scheduled for the last four Thoroughbred races on the card. Both Pick 4 wagers also have a reduced takeout of 15%. All four wagers begin with a 50-cent minimum and provide separate pools, each with their own carryovers.

The 21st season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing at the Indiana oval opens Apr. 18 and runs through Nov. 17.

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Horseshoe Indianapolis Earmarks Over $4.75 Million for 2023 Stakes

Highlighted by the $300,000 GIII Indiana Derby July 8, Horseshoe Indianapolis has finalized a 2023 racing season featuring 38 black-type events worth $4.75 million. Eight stakes worth $1.1 million are slated for the Indiana Derby Day card, including the GIII Indiana Oaks.

“Each year, Indiana Derby Day continues to grow and sets new handle records,” said Vice President and General Manager of Racing Eric Halstrom. “Our racing office staff works very hard to assemble top quality fields for each of these stakes. With all the activities surrounding the event, Indiana Derby Day has become one of Indiana's biggest summer sporting events and attracts some of the nation's top 3-year-olds. It's definitely a day to put on your calendars each July.”

A total of 10 of the stakes will be run on the turf course and another 28 are specifically for Indiana-bred and -sired runners. More than $2.9 million will be dispersed to horses that are part of the Indiana breeding program.

The 123-day racing season at Horseshoe Indianapolis kicks off Apr. 18. Click here for more information.

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