Indiana Grand Season Concludes With Record Handle Numbers

The 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing ended Thursday, Nov. 11, completing 123 days of racing. The meet Both breeds brought in record numbers for the year, showing a 47 percent increase in overall handle compared to similar dates in 2019.

With the shortened season in 2020 due to COVID-19, handle figures are compared to 2019 when a full schedule was conducted at Indiana Grand. Total handle for 2021 came in at $223,204,265 compared to handle in 2019 at $151,791,334. The highlight of the meet was another record setting day for Indiana Derby with total handle reaching $6,292,388. The 2021 running of the Indiana Derby marked the third straight year for an all-sources handle track record for a single program.

“Coming off a strong, but abbreviated 2020 season, we entered the 2021 meet with high expectations in terms of handle,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “We are very pleased that we were able to exceed all of our goals. We have so much to celebrate on the business end of our racing program, but more importantly, we were able to offer a strong racing program thanks to the support of both our Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred horsemen. Our partnership with both breeds allows us to provide promotions and events to complement our racing program. We are really looking forward to the 2022 racing season to continue the momentum.”

On Thursday, as the 2021 racing season came to a close, the Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) made a surprise presentation to Halstrom with the “HBPA Excellence of Service Award.”

Brian Elmore, Executive Director of Indiana HBPA, was joined by several board members for the presentation in the winner's circle to Halstrom, who is in his second year at the helm of the racing operations at Indiana Grand. Elmore noted the gratitude from the horsemen's organization for Halstrom's leadership and guidance during the 19th season of racing that has brought in a record-setting year in handle.

Elmore noted the best way to honor Halstrom was to read the plaque, which said, “In recognition of your outstanding commitment and leadership toward the advancement of Thoroughbred horse racing in Indiana. Given on this day, Nov. 11, 2021.”

In addition to working closely with the horsemen this season, Halstrom has implemented several positive changes to the racing program, from lower takeout rates to unique wagering incentives, including a seeded $50,000 Pick 5 on closing day as a way to say “thank you” to all racing fans who watched and wagered on Indiana racing in 2021.

“We've had a tremendous year in racing and it's thanks in part to the cooperation and support of the horsemen,” said Halstrom “I am very honored to receive this award, and it has special meaning since it comes from the horsemen's organization. We work very hard to put on a great show for them and are constantly looking for ways to create a fun and exciting backdrop to showcase our racing product.”

Four days during the season topped $3 million in handle, including the closing day program on Veteran's Day Nov. 11 featuring a seeded $50,000 Pick 5 and Charity Challenge with 20 handicappers submitting $250 tickets into the wager to raise funding for Homeless Veterans and Families of Indiana. Total handle for the day was $3,150,488, the highest handle ever recorded on a Thursday program in the history of Indiana Grand.

Quarter Horse racing also showed major increases in 2021. Handle for the sprinters topped $1 million twice with the Saturday, July 3 program setting a new Quarter Horse handle record of $1,201,604. A total of six all Quarter Horse racing days were offered in 2021.

Purse money also set new records. Both breeds combined included purses of $36,439,755 over the 123-day meet. A new record for daily purse distribution was also set offering an average of $298,686 per day.

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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Indiana Grand: ‘Bettor Appreciation,’ Veteran’s Day Challenge Close Out Season

Indiana Grand Racing & Casino in Shelbyville, Ind., will wrap up its record-setting racing season Thursday, Nov. 11. Several promotions are included on the Veteran's Day program featuring “Bettor Appreciation” as a way to say “Thank You” to all the racing fans that have supported the program this season.

To help usher out the 19th season, the Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) will sponsor a special $2,500 Veteran's Day Challenge handicapping contest open to players both online and on-track.

The Veteran's Day Challenge will be held on six races with players submitting their top selection for races five through 10. The event will end on the inaugural running of the $75,000 Salute the Heroes Stakes race with all veterans in attendance invited to come to the winner's circle to help present the trophy and blanket to the winner. The top 10 handicappers at the end of the contest will be awarded prizes with first place taking home the grand prize of $1,000 courtesy of Indiana HBPA.

The Veteran's Day Challenge is open to all players 18 years of age and older. All entries must be submitted by 4:25 p.m. to play with online individuals sending in selections to indianagrandcontest@gmail.com. Racing fans on track will submit entries to the first floor OTB counter by the deadline. All winners are subject to verification of identity and must adhere to contest rules to be eligible to play and win.

Joining Indiana HBPA's Veteran's Day Challenge will be a seeded $50,000 Pick 5. Indiana Grand will add $50,000 into the pool to kick off the wager, rewarding the fleet of loyal racing fans who have watched and wagered on Indiana's program this season. The Pick 5 begins in Race 6 on the program with an estimated post time of 5 p.m. EST.

To help boost the Pick 5, 20 handicappers from across the nation will submit Pick 5 tickets worth up to $250 each, courtesy of Indiana Grand. All proceeds from the wagers will be earmarked to Homeless Veterans and Families (HVAF) of Indiana.

Handicappers included in the lineup for the charitable wagers are Steve Byk, “At the Races;” Dan Dakich, 1070 The Fan ESPN Radio; Jeremiah Johnson, Indiana Pacers; Aaron Vercruysse, Southern California handicapper; Ellis Starr, Equibase; Gene McLean, The Pressbox; John Dooley, Fair Grounds Track Announcer, Jimmy McNerney, Ellis Park Track Announcer; Anthony Stabile, NYRA; Mike Penna, Horse Racing Radio Network; Sak, Social Media Influencer and Handicapper; Sarge, TVG; Dan Tordjman, America's Best Racing; Ed DeRosa, Horse Racing Nation; Louis Rabaut, Horse Racing Happy Hour; Briana Mott, Stable Duel; Big Mike, Horse Racing Happy Hour, Megan Devine, On-Air Host and Television Personality; Producer Kyle, WRTV Channel 6 and Dan Dakich Show; and Scott Ehlers, Daily Racing Form.

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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‘Secret To Our Success’: Randy Matthews Stable Named ‘Barn Crew Of The Month’ At Indiana Grand

The Randy Matthews Stable is the recipient of the second “Barn Crew of the Month” of 2020 presented at Indiana Grand Tuesday, Sept. 22. The September honor was awarded to the Matthews team for their exemplary work in and around their shedrow and the overall appearance of their barn as well as their horses. The award is presented monthly by Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) as well as Texas Corral of Shelbyville, Ind.

Matthews, who is a native of southern Indiana, has been a staple on the backstretch at Indiana Grand for several years. In addition to his racing operation, he and his wife, Karen, also own a breeding farm in Greenville, Ind. He currently has 14 horses at Indiana Grand, including the undefeated Unbridled Beast, winner of the Gus Grissom Stakes last week.

Matthews was joined in the winner's circle by three members of his team, Felix Villalta, Stephanie Vanderboom and Mauro Parra for the presentation following the first race. The crew received a $200 gift certificate to Texas Corral for a night out for the group.

“These guys are all good friends and they work well together,” said Matthews. “The secret to our success lies in them. They run a good ship for our stable.”

Texas Corral, located on Route 9 in Shelbyville, is partnering with Indiana HBPA for the third straight year for “Barn Crew of the Month.” The award was implemented by HBPA to showcase the hard-working members of the backstretch that take care of the horses daily with some recognition for their dedication to the sport.

Racing is held Monday through Thursday until Wednesday, Nov. 18. All-Quarter Horse racing is set for Saturday, Oct. 3 and Saturday, Oct. 24. For more information, go to www.indianagrand.com.

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