Eric Halstrom | Horse Racing Free Tips

$50,000 Road To Louisville Contest Includes Prize Package With Chance To Purchase Indiana Yearling

Up to $50,000 in prize money will be offered in a unique contest coming to Indiana Grand Racing & Casino in early 2022. “Road to Louisville,” featuring 18 weeks of action beginning Saturday, Jan. 8 leading up to the Kentucky Derby Saturday, May 7, will include $20,000 in prize money with a unique twist thrown into the mix. The winner of the contest will have the option to purchase a yearling package at the 2022 ITOBA Fall Sale valued at $30,000 courtesy of the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (ITOBA) along with Indiana Grand.

“Road to Louisville” is open to players both online and on-track at Indiana Grand and Clarksville OTB. Weekly and monthly prizes will be provided as points are cumulative throughout the event. The contest, which will include numerous races each week from select tracks, will be completed on Kentucky Derby Day to crown the overall winner of the $1,000 prize money and a chance to own a future Indiana racehorse.

“Our contests both online and on-track have become increasingly popular, and we wanted to do something to raise the stakes next season,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “After talking with ITOBA President Tom Mosley, we decided to partner with them on our current breeding and racing program, which is so lucrative right now. The idea was created to get one of our loyal racing fans involved with a hands-on ownership experience and enjoy a risk-free way to enjoy the thrill of Indiana Thoroughbred racing.”

If the winner opts in for the purchase of a yearling at the ITOBA Sale, they will receive up to $15,000 to purchase a yearling out of the sale, plus an additional $15,000 for care and training of the horse leading up to its racing debut in the summer of 2023. ITOBA is facilitating the details and assistance for the new owner and their new purchase.

“We are always looking for ways to promote our breeding and racing program and when Eric (Halstrom) came to us with this idea, we couldn't think of a better way to introduce our program to new individuals,” said Mosley. “Giving someone a complete experience, from purchasing a yearling at the sale to watching it train and make it to the races is a great way to bring exposure to Indiana racing.”

“Road to Louisville” gets underway with the racing card from Gulfstream Park. Points are based on payouts for the selected horse in the contest races. Weekly prizes will be allotted to the top three players each week with the top handicapper receiving $150, second place receiving $100 and third place receiving $50. Prizes are doubled if the player is competing at either Indiana Grand or Clarksville OTB.

“We wanted to ensure the contest was available to all players everywhere who are 21 or older but we wanted to find a way to reward our racing fans who participate at Indiana Grand and Clarksville,” added Halstrom. “By doubling the prize money, this will entice those who live around either location to submit their entries in person. In addition to the weekly prizes, we will also offer a monthly prize of $250 for the player who has the most accumulated points. That amount will also double to $500 if the player is participating at Indiana Grand or Clarksville.”

A request for a list of rules and more details about “Road to Louisville” will be provided by sending an email to horseshoeindycontest@gmail.com. Entry forms and additional details will also be available soon on the website at www.indianagrand.com.

The 20^th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is set to resume Tuesday, April 19 and run through Wednesday, Nov. 23. Racing will be held Monday through Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. with Thursday racing beginning at 3:30 p.m. A total of 12 Saturday racing programs will be held in 2022. For more information on events and racing, go to www.indianagrand.com.

About Indiana Grand Racing & Casino

Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, which is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR), holds multiple awards for customer service, entertainment, gaming, dining, and diversity. Located in Shelbyville, Ind., Indiana Grand features more than 1,900 of the latest slots and table games in addition to a one-mile dirt racecourse and a seven-eighths mile turf course providing live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing each year. Simulcast and sports wagering is also offered year-round at Winner's Circle Race Sports Pub located on the casino floor as well as a Winner's Circle Race Sports Pub located in Clarksville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.caesars.com/indiana-grand. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing at racetracks and 21 or older to gamble at sports books and casinos. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (1-800-994-8448) ©2021 Caesars License Company, LLC.

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‘A Lot To Celebrate’: Indiana Grand Enjoyed Season Of Records, New Concepts

As another year of Thoroughbred racing comes to a close in Indiana, many are reflecting on a year that set numerous records and implemented a lot of new concepts at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. Brian Elmore, Executive Director of the Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA), and Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manger of Racing for Indiana Grand, reviewed all the accomplishments for 2021.

“The camaraderie in Indiana this season was unprecedented and as a result, we undoubtedly had our best year to date,” said Elmore. “We started out with an extensive planning project and were able to achieve everything on the list thanks to everyone coming in and doing their part with one goal in mind – what was best for Indiana.”

Elmore noted the partnership with the Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development Advisory Committee, led by Jessica Barnes, Indiana Grand led by Joe Morris, Senior Vice President of Racing, and Halstrom, Joe Davis, president of the Indiana HBPA and the board of directors, members of the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (ITOBA), and members of the Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance (ITA) all contributed to the success from all angles. As a result, the state established numerous records, including the highest amount of money paid for Indiana bred and sired overnights and stakes ($9,096,200), a record for highest amount of money paid in breeders awards ($3,274,045), a record number of Thoroughbred Breed Development races run (400), and a record for highest amount of money paid in stallion awards ($777,205), showing the continued growth and investment in the state's breeding and racing industries.

“Our board really worked hard to ensure we had everything in the right place for racing in 2021,” said Davis. “We spent a lot of time working out details with Indiana Grand track management as well as the Breed Development committee members and it really paid off. We want to thank everyone involved for their time and commitment to Indiana racing.”

Along with state records, Indiana Grand also hit several new marks, including a record for all sources handle ($223,204,265), a record single day handle during Indiana Derby ($6,292,388), and a record number of purses paid at $36,035,650.

“We had a large number of people engaged in our product from the start of the meet,” noted Halstrom. “From the horsemen to racing fans, we had great momentum carrying us through the 123-day racing season. It set the tone as our company continues on the path of expansion and enhancements directly related to the racing program. We have a lot to celebrate.”

Some of the enhancements Halstrom referred to include the current construction of a new 100-stall barn and a 50-room dormitory, the completion of a new Equicizer, the addition of a drone during live racing, and a new lighting and paving project in the barn area. In addition, the track introduced several new lower takeout rates which were appealing to handicappers and had a direct impact on purses, which were increased twice during the season.

The HBPA also implemented several programs throughout the year specifically for their membership base, including a produce stand with reduced rates from mid-May through September, three Ice Cream truck events, two large dinners for those living and working on the backstretch, and an active Chaplaincy program which provided a monthly dinner in addition to transportation for food, medical appointments, and overall ministry on an on-going basis for its member base that exceeds 2,000.

“It just goes to show how strong a program can become when everyone pitches in and works toward a common goal,” added Elmore. “And we feel this is just the beginning. With this momentum, we will continue to work with everyone to take racing to the next level in 2022.”

The 20th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is set to resume Tuesday, April 19 and run through Wednesday, Nov. 23. Racing will be held Monday through Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. with Thursday racing beginning at 3:30 p.m. A total of 12 Saturday racing programs will be held in 2022. For more information on events and racing, go to www.indianagrand.com.

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’22 Dates Set for Indiana Grand

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) approved racing dates for the 2022 racing season at Indiana Grand Monday. A total of 127 racing days-including 12 Saturdays–are set for the Shelbeyville oval's 2022 season. Racing runs through Tuesday, Apr. 19, concluding Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022.

According to Eric Halstrom, Indiana's vice president and general manager of racing, “We feel our racing schedule offers a great balance that will appeal to a wide range of racing fans in 2022. We want to thank both the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing organizations for their input and assistance with finalizing the request for dates.”

The bulk of the schedule will fall on Monday through Thursday with first post Monday through Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. and racing beginning at 3:30 p.m. Thursdays.

A total of six days are dedicated to Quarter Horse racing with an additional day set aside for the AQHA Bank of America Challenge Championships coming to Indiana Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Five Saturdays will include Thoroughbred racing with the first set for May 7 on Kentucky Derby. The final Saturday of racing is set for Saturday, Oct. 29 featuring Indiana Champions Day. The event will play host to 10 stakes races with purses exceeding $1 million. The afternoon card, which begins at noon, showcases the top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse athletes in the state surrounded by numerous giveaways, contests, and promotions. Indiana Grand will also offer holiday racing programs for Memorial Day on May 30 and July 4, beginning at 12 p.m.

The racing season will conclude Nov. 23 with a special racing program the day before Thanksgiving. Dates for stakes races next season, including the Indiana Derby, will be announced at a later date.

For more information on events and racing, visit www.indianagrand.com.

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Indiana Grand Approved For 127 Race Dates In 2022

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) met Monday, Dec. 6 at Indiana Grand and approved racing dates for the 2022 racing season. Indiana Grand will host a total of 127 racing days with 12 Saturdays set aside for live action. Racing is set to get underway Tuesday, April 19 and conclude Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022.

“We have established a great spot for our racing cards during the week and wanted to keep those intact, but we also wanted to accommodate our local racing fans with some Saturday racing cards,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “We feel our racing schedule offers a great balance that will appeal to a wide range of racing fans in 2022. We want to thank both the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing organizations for their input and assistance with finalizing the request for dates.”

The bulk of the schedule will fall on Monday through Thursday. First post Monday through Wednesday will be at 2:30 p.m. with racing beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Thursdays. A total of six days are dedicated to Quarter Horse racing beginning at 10 a.m. with an additional day set aside for the AQHA Bank of America Challenge Championships coming to Indiana Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Five Saturdays will include Thoroughbred racing with the first set for Saturday, May 7 on Kentucky Derby, historically a large day of activity for Indiana Grand.

The final Saturday of racing is set for Saturday, Oct. 29 featuring Indiana Champions Day. The event will play host to 10 stakes races with purses exceeding $1 million. The afternoon card, which begins at noon, showcases the top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse athletes in the state surrounded by numerous giveaways, contests, and promotions.

Indiana Grand will also offer holiday racing programs for Memorial Day Monday, May 30 and Monday, July 4 beginning at 12 p.m.

The racing season will conclude Wednesday, Nov. 23 with a special racing program the day before Thanksgiving. Dates for stakes races next season, including the Indiana Derby, will be announced at a later date.

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