Category: Entertainment

Indiana Gold Sire Stakes Action Kicks off at Hoosier Park

ANDERSON, Ind.—May 28, 2013—Three divisions of three-year-old pacing colts lined up behind the starting gate at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday, May 25 to square off in the first round of the $30,000 Indiana Gold Sire Stakes action. Night Pro and driver Jason Dillander romped home a winner in the fastest division on the night with a final time of 1:51. The three-year-old colt turned in an impressive performance to score his first Indiana Sire stakes victory and extend his win streak to seven, in a lifetime best effort.

Leaving from post eight, Night Pro was unhurried out of the gate and landed along the rail in fourth while Astreo’s Love and Don Eash were the first to get a call through a quick opening panel in :26.3. Nitro, the heavy betting favorite, opted for a trip off the pace and settled along the rail in fifth for driver Ricky Macomber Jr. Touchdown Mindale and Lewayne Miller were well placed in the pocket second while Full Code and Doug Rideout followed intently in third. The brisk pace continued down the backside with Astreo’s Love reaching the half mile mark in :55. Dillander gave Night Pro the green light and was aimed at the leader as the field approached the final turn. Nitro and Ricky Macomber Jr. followed suit and drafted second over through a three-quarter clocking in 1:24.1. As Astreo’s Love began to tire on the front, Night Pro found a :26 final quarter to power home a winner two lengths in front of his closest competitor. Nitro battled gamely to finish second while Astreo’s Love held on for third. As the public’s second choice, Night Pro returned $6.20 to his backers.

Unraced at two, Night Pro is trained and owned by Dale Decker of Temperance, MI. A $14,000 yearling purchase, the black colt is the first foal from World Champion, Midnight Jewel. Sired by Pro Bono Best, Night Pro has now earned over $30,000 from seven lifetime starts.

In the second division of sire stakes action, Right Touch and Ray Paver returned to their winning ways as they took advantage of a pocket trip to win in 1:51.2. Right Touch, an Indiana Sire Stakes champion at two, found a :27.1 final panel to overtake Sweet Talkin Satin and Doug McNair in the stretch. Sired by Always a Virgin, Right Touch notched his second win of the season from two starts. Trained by Ray Paver, the three-year-old gelding has now amassed over $230,000 lifetime.

Kanaris and Tyler Smith got up in the final strides to win by a neck in the opening round of the sire stakes action. Dismissed at 30-1, Kanaris found late racing room to beat Fancy Colt at the wire in 1:52.1. Trained by Joe Seekman, Kanaris notched his first win of the season and fifth lifetime victory. Sired by Panspacificflight, the three-year-old gelding has earned over $75,000 lifetime.

The Indiana Sire Stakes Gold level action for three-year-old pacing colts will continue on Saturday, June 8. The $200,000 final is slated for Saturday, July 20 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.

Live racing at Hoosier Park will follow a Tuesday-Saturday schedule, with a daily post time of 5:30 p.m. The 160-day, all harness racing meet will be conducted through November 9.

Photo: Night Pro and Jason Dillander in the $30,000 Indiana Sire Stakes. Photo Courtesy of Linscott Photography.

Dan Patch at Hoosier Park, Maxie Lee at Harrah’s Philadelphia Featured this Weekend

Columbus, OH – The United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program is joining forces with the Daily Racing Form to promote 41 of harness racing’s most important stakes races on 28 dates at 15 racetracks across the country in 2013.

As part of the sponsorship agreement, Daily Racing Form will publish past performances for each of the 41 major stakes races, as well as race analysis and Strategic Wagering promotional information, in their national print edition on those race days.

Also, each participating racetrack will have the opportunity to supplement this print campaign with additional online support on DRF.com.

“We are pleased to partner with the Daily Racing Form in spotlighting our major stakes races,” said USTA Director Chris Schick, who manages the Strategic Wagering Program.  “With this promotional and editorial support from DRF, we will showcase our biggest races to their well-established Thoroughbred audience and demonstrate the excitement and value in wagering on harness racing.”

“Daily Racing Form is committed to help expand the harness racing fan base through our print, digital and mobile platforms,” said John Hartig, CEO, Daily Racing Form. “The cross-over opportunity is exciting as DRF’s loyal players are always looking for quality wagering action, which these major harness race days offer.”

In addition, the Daily Racing Form will provide expanded coverage that includes past performances for all 12 Breeders Crown races at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Saturday, Oct. 19.

The $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational at Hoosier Park on Saturday, May 25 and the $250,000 Maxie Lee Memorial at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday, May 26 kick off the program this weekend. On each weekend day, there will be a two-page spread with analysis from Daily Racing Form’s Managing Editor-Harness Derick Giwner, promotion of Strategic Wagering guaranteed pool wagers and the complete past performances for each featured race.

At Hoosier Park this Saturday, there will be a Strategic Wager $25,000 guaranteed superfecta on the Dan Patch, the 11^th race on the card as well as a $10,000 guaranteed Pick 4 anchored by the Dan Patch on races 8-11.

On Sunday, two $250,000 stakes highlight the Harrah’s Philadelphia $15,000 guaranteed Pick-4 Strategic Wager on races 9-12 with the Betsy Ross Invitational as the 10^th race and the Maxie Lee as the fourth and final leg in race 12.

The U.S. Trotting Association, in cooperation with its member tracks, established the USTA Strategic Wagering Program in April 2011to provide value to horseplayers by guaranteeing the size of designated betting pools. Since its inception, the Strategic Wagering Program has provided guaranteed wagers at 24 different racetracks and has averaged 90 wagers per month.  The responsibility for these guarantees is shared equally by the USTA, the track hosting the wager, and on some occasions, the local horsemen’s association.

Following is the complete USTA Strategic Wagering – Daily Racing Form schedule:

Day     Date                            Track                                      Race

Sat.      May 25                        Hoosier Park                           Dan Patch

Sun.     May 26                        Harrah’s Philadelphia              Maxie Lee

Sat.      June 1                          Yonkers Raceway                   Art Rooney

Sun.     June 9                          Tioga Downs                           TBD  (Bettor’s Delight or Artiscape)

Fri.       June 21                        Maywood Park                       Maywood Pace

Sat.      June 29                        Pocono Downs                        Ben Franklin

Sat.      July 13                         Meadowlands                         Meadowlands Pace

Sat.      July 20                         Northfield Park                       Battle of Lake Erie

Sat.      July 27                         The Meadows                         Delvin Miller Adios

Sat.      July 27                         Yonkers Raceway                   Yonkers Trot

Sat.      Aug. 3                         Meadowlands                         Hambletonian

Sat.      Aug. 17                       Pocono Downs                        TBD  (Colonial or Battle of the Brandywine

Sun.     Aug. 25                       Vernon Downs                        Zweig

Mon.    Sept. 2                         Tioga Downs                           Cane Pace

Fri.       Sept. 6                         Vernon Downs                        TBD – Muscle Hill or Credit Winner

Sat.      Sept. 14                       Balmoral Park                         TBD – (Super Night)

Sat.      Sept. 16                       Harrington Raceway               Quillen Memorial

Wed.   Sept. 18                       Delaware                                 Jugette

Thurs.  Sept. 19                       Delaware                                 Little Brown Jug

S or S  Sept. 28 or 29              The Red Mile                          TBD – Bluegrass

Sat.      Oct. 5                          The Red Mile                          Tattersalls Pace

Sun.     Oct. 6                          The Red Mile                          Kentucky Futurity

Sat.      Oct. 19                        Pocono Downs                        Breeders Crown

Sat.      Nov. 2                         Hoosier Park                           TBD – Monument Circle or Indiana Derby

Sat.      Nov. 2                         Yonkers Raceway                   Messenger

Sat.      Nov. 9                         Balmoral Park                         American-National

Fri.       Nov. 15                       Maywood Park                       Windy City Pace

Sun.     Nov. 17                       Dover Downs                          Matron

Sat.      Nov. 30                       Meadowlands                         TBD  (FFA Championship or Governor’s Cup)

Sat.      Dec. 14                        Northfield Park                       Cleveland Classic

 Rik Smits, Bobby ‘Slick’ Leonard, Mel Daniels, and others to kick off Memorial Day Weekend Festivities

ANDERSON, Ind. – May 23, 2013 - Ten of the Pacers’ more recognizable names from the past 40 years are slated to make a joint-appearance at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, May 24 to kick off the start of Memorial Day weekend live racing. This group of past ABA and NBA Pacers will sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans starting at 7 p.m. in the Hoosier Park Terrace. The event is free and open to the public.

The Pacers’ legends scheduled to appear:

• Rik Smits (1988 – 2000, Center)
• Bobby ‘Slick’ Leonard (1968 – 1980, Head Coach)
• Mel Daniels (1968 – 1974, Center, NBA Hall of Fame Member)
• Derrick McKey (1993 – 2001, Forward/Center)
• Don Buse (1972 – 1977, Point Guard)
• Billy Keller (1969 – 1976, Guard)
• George McGinnis (1971 – 1975, Power Forward/Center)
• Bob Netolicky (1967 – 1976, Forward/Center)
• Bill Newton (1972 – 1974, Center)
• Darnell Hillman (1971 – 1976, Forward/Center)

On Saturday, May 25, Hoosier Park’s signature race – the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational – will welcome the top rated horses in North America for its 20^th running. The 2013 installment will tout some of the best horses, trainers, and drivers in the sport. Lining up behind the gate will be the likes of North American Cup Winner, Up The Credit, Meadowlands Pace champion, A Rocknroll Dance, and 2012’s Dan Patch victor, Rockin Cam.

Several activities will complement the Dan Patch Invitational pace, including Indiana sire stakes action, property-wide dining specials, and special wagering opportunities. Guests can also take part in Xtreme hot air balloon and helicopter rides over the racetrack. To close out Saturday night’s live racing card, a free fireworks display starts at approximately 10:30 p.m. At the conclusion of the free fireworks display, a Celebrity Driver charity kayak race and the Hoosier Idol All-In grand finale singing competition begins.

About Hoosier Park Racing & Casino: Hoosier Park Racing & Casino was recently ranked as the Indianapolis Area’s Most Popular Attraction for the third year in a row by the Indianapolis Business Journal, and holds multiple awards from industry publications for customer service, entertainment, gaming and dining. Hoosier Park Racing & Casino – a fully integrated gaming and racing facility – features 2,000 of the latest slots and electronic table games as well as a 7/8 mile oval horse track that offers live harness racing each year. Simulcast wagering is offered year-round at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, the Winner’s Circle Pub, Grille & OTB in Indianapolis and two off-track betting facilities located in Fort Wayne and Merrillville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.hoosierpark.com

About Centaur Gaming: Indianapolis-based Centaur Holdings, LLC, founded in 1993, focuses on bringing the entertainment and economic benefits of casino gaming and horse racing to key communities across Indiana.  Centaur owns and operates Indiana Grand Racing & Casino in Shelbyville, Ind., Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, Ind., Hoosier Park’s Winner’s Circle Pub, Grille & OTB in Indianapolis, Ind. and off-track betting facilities in Clarksville, Fort Wayne, and Merrillville, Ind.

Field is Drawn for 20^th Installment of Dan Patch Invitational

ANDERSON, Ind.—May 22, 2013—A field of ten will be sent postward in the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday, May 25. In what may be the most talented field ever assembled, the 20^th installment of Hoosier Park’s signature event will highlight the 14-race program that begins at 5:30 p.m. The race will be part of a special evening tagged as “Thrillyard 200” and will feature extreme entertainment, giveaways, and racing. The evening will also be complimented by three divisions of the Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts, sending the purse money to be distributed throughout the evening over the $450,000 mark.

The 2013 Dan Patch field boasts combined career purse earnings over $9 million and includes four millionaires, two previous Dan Patch winners, one Hall of Fame trainer, and one Hall of Fame driver. A Rocknroll Dance, Up The Credit, Bolt The Duer, and Aracache Hanover will make their way to Indiana boasting career earnings over the $1 million mark. Rockincam, who visited the Dan Patch winner’s circle in 2012, will start from post four while former Dan Patch winning trainer, Ron Burke, will send Fred and Ginger to the gate from post five. Fred and Ginger will ship to Indiana after finishing in the money in six of seven starts this season. With over $918,000 in career earnings, the six-year-old horse is this year’s fastest pacer, with a 1:48.1 win to his credit in a division of the TVG Free for All Series Championship at the Meadowlands.

Harness racings’ all time leading money winning driver and Hall of Famer, John Campbell, will make his way to Hoosier Park and has been enlisted to drive A Rocknroll Dance for trainer Jim Mulinix from post eight. After wins in the Meadowlands Pace and the Battle of Brandywine in 2012, A Rocknroll Dance is the richest horse in the field with over $1.9 million in career earnings.

Carl Jamieson, one of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame’s most recent inductees, sends his North American Cup winning pacer, Up The Credit, to Hoosier Park after posting back to back wins on the Woodbine circuit. Starting from post nine, Hoosier Park’s leading driver, Trace Tetrick will do the driving honors for Jamieson.

Also joining the stellar cast of entrants as a main contender for the 2013 Dan Patch title is Hurrikane Kingcole, with Brett Miller at the lines from post one. The John McDermott trainee has been tabbed as the 3-1 morning line favorite. Winner of over $530,000 lifetime, the four-year-old gelding sports the fastest lifetime mark in the field of ten with a 1:47.3 time set last year at the Meadowlands.

Paco Labrook will play the role of local favorite from post two for trainer, driver, Brad Hanners. Paco Labrook enters Saturday’s race after posting two consecutive wins in the Invitational pace at Hoosier Park. The five-year-old gelding has won four of 14 starts in 2013 and with over $450,000 in career earnings, Paco Labrook is the only Indiana-sired horse in the field.

Slated as the eleventh race on the card, estimated post time for Hoosier Park’s signature event is 9:30 p.m. Advanced wagering for the entire card will begin on Friday, May 24 at 12:00 p.m.

The 2012 Dan Patch field, in post-position order with named driver and trainer includes:

1. Hurrikane Kingcole                 Tr: John McDermott       Dr: Brett Miller                       3-1
2. Paco Labrook                          Tr: Brad Hanners        Dr: Brad Hanners                    8-1
3. Versado                                   Tr: Nick Surick            Dr: TBA                                  15-1
4. Rockincam                              Tr: Nifty Norman        Dr: Jason Dillander                  7-2
5. Fred and Ginger                      Tr: Ron Burke             Dr: Ricky Macomber Jr.           5-1
6. Dancin Yankee                       Tr: Gary Green            Dr: Ed Hensley                       6-1
7. Bolt the Duer                          Tr: Peter Foley            Dr: Mark Macdonald              4-1
8. A Rocknroll Dance                 Tr: Jim Mulinix            Dr: John Campbell                  9-2
9. Up the Credit                          Tr: Carl Jamieson        Dr: Trace Tetrick                     10-1
10. Aracache Hanover                  Tr: Gregg McNair       Dr: Douglas McNair               10-1

Racing fans will have the opportunity to participate in two special wagers offered for the Dan Patch Invitational. A $25,000 Guaranteed Superfecta pool will be available as part of the special Strategic Wagering Program. The wager will have a minimum bet of 10 cents, and is available through the cooperative efforts of the United States Trotting Association, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and the Indiana Standardbred Association. A $10,000 Guaranteed Pick-4 will also be made available to racing fans in races 8 through 11.

Hoosier Park and HRTV Partner for Dan Patch

HRTV to Provide Live Coverage for Saturday’s Dan Patch Invitational

Anderson, IN, May 21, 2013 — Hoosier Park Racing & Casino is proud to announce a renewed partnership with HRTV, The Network for Horse Sports, to provide exclusive coverage for the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday, May 25.

Now in its 20^th edition, the Dan Patch Invitational pace sets the stage for the top rated horses in North America to convene on Hoosier Park’s seven-eighths mile oval seeking a lucrative $200,000 purse and a spot in Hoosier Park’s history. Post time for the first race on the 14-race card is 5:30 p.m.

HRTV will provide expanded coverage of the outstanding night of harness racing, complete with in-studio commentary and analysis by network talent.

Hoosier Park’s signature harness racing event has become a tradition that is close to the hearts of Hoosiers. The Dan Patch, an invitational race, not only highlights some of the best athletes in the sport of harness racing, but is deeply rooted throughout Indiana soil.

The Dan Patch race was established at Hoosier Park in 1994 with Ready To Rumble and driver Trevor Ritchie winning the inaugural edition 20 years ago. The list of all-star horses that have made their way to Hoosier Park over the years includes Jenna’s Beach Boy, Maltese Artist and former seven-eighths mile world record holder, the late Pacific Fella.

Hoosier Park’s headline event is part of a special evening tagged “Thrillyard 200”. The entire evening will be filled with extreme racing, extreme entertainment, extreme wagers, giveaways and fun throughout the Hoosier Park property.

The ‘extreme’ theme will take center stage on the track as ten of North America’s fastest Standardbreds go to post for the Dan Patch Invitational, slated as the eleventh race on the program with an estimated post time of 9:30 p.m.

In what may be the most competitive field ever assembled, this year’s installment of Hoosier Park’s featured event will highlight the 14-race program. The 2013 installment has no shortage of talent as patrons can expect to see horses like North American Cup Winner-Up The Credit, Meadowlands Pace champion-A Rocknroll Dance, and 2012’s Dan Patch victor-Rockin Cam lined up behind the gate.

The evening will also be complimented by several $30,000 divisions of the Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts, sending the purse money to be distributed throughout the evening over $400,000.

About Centaur Gaming: Founded in 1993, Indianapolis-based Centaur Gaming’s mission is to bring the entertainment and economic benefits of casino gaming and horse racing to communities across Indiana. Centaur, a privately held company, employs more than 2,000 Indiana residents through the award-winning entertainment destinations of Indiana Grand Casino and Indiana Downs in Shelbyville, Ind. and Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, Ind. In addition to the two racetrack and casino properties, Centaur’s operations extend to nearly every corner of the state with Hoosier Park’s Winner’s Circle Pub, Grille & OTB in Indianapolis and Off-Track Betting facilities in Clarksville, Fort Wayne and Merrillville, Ind.

Coors Light Concert Series Presents the ‘Summer’s Greatest Hits’ Lineup

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino announced Friday its official Summer’s Greatest Hits lineup, presented by Coors Light.  In its third year, Hoosier Park’s summer stage will welcome a series of four national headlining acts to the Hoosier Park outdoor music center. The three-month long summer series will run from Saturday, June 8 through Saturday, Aug. 31.
Known for such hits as “The Heart of Rock and Roll” and “I Want a New Drug”, Huey Lewis & the News will kick off the summer concert series on Saturday, June 8 with their “Sports” Anniversary Tour, named after their seven-time platinum 1983 album. Fellow 1980s rockers, The B-52s and The Go-Go’s, will bring their new-wave brand of rock to the stage on Saturday, June 29 playing their respective hits that include “Love Shack” and “We Got the Beat.”

On Friday, July 12 country music legend Willie Nelson will treat country music fans to the classics that built his storied career such as “On the Road Again” and “Always on My Mind.” Alongside his series of fan favorites, Willie Nelson and Family will play songs from their April 16 forthcoming album, “Let’s Face the Music and Dance,” that is being described as a collection of American standards and country classics.

The smooth, surfer-inspired harmonies of The Beach Boys will once again grace the Hoosier Park summer stage on Saturday, Aug. 31, since last performing at the Anderson racetrack and casino in July 2009. The Beach Boys, recently coming off their 50th anniversary international tour, released a new studio album that represents a new harmonic blending from a super group with such hits as “Good Vibrations,” “Surfin’ U.S.A,” and “Kokomo.”

The Summer’s Greatest Hits concerts are scheduled to begin at approximately 8 p.m.  The complete list of shows is as follows:

• Saturday, June 8, Huey Lewis & the News
• Saturday, June 29, The B-52s and The Go-Go’s
• Friday, July 12, Willie Nelson and Family
• Saturday, Aug. 31, The Beach Boys

The Hoosier Park outdoor music center accommodates up to 4,500 reserved ticket seats. The music center features a wide variety of ticket options, including premium VIP seating and private party decks complete with personal beverage service.

Tickets will go on sale Saturday, April 6 at 10 a.m. Ticket prices range from $23 to $67. Special VIP seating is available for an additional charge.  Tickets for the Coors Light Summer Concert Series can be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling 800-745-3000 or by visiting Ticketmaster.com.  Concertgoers may also purchase directly from the box offices located in Shelby’s Gifts at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino or in Hoosier Park’s Winner’s Circle Pub, Grille & OTB located in downtown Indianapolis. Club Centaur members will receive a 20 percent discount on tickets purchased at both Hoosier Park box offices.

Loyal sponsors Coors Light, Modern Trailer Sales, Deem Mechanical & Electric Company, and Piazza Produce will once again additionally support the Summer’s Greatest Hits lineup.

About Hoosier Park Racing & Casino: Hoosier Park Racing & Casino was recently ranked as the Indianapolis Area’s Most Popular Attraction for the third year in a row by the Indianapolis Business Journal and holds multiple awards from industry publications for customer service, entertainment, gaming and dining. Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, a fully integrated gaming and racing facility, features 2,000 of the latest slots and electronic table games and a 7/8 mile oval horse track offering live harness racing each year.  Simulcast wagering is offered year-round at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, the Winner’s Circle Pub, Grille & OTB in Indianapolis and two off-track betting facilities located in Fort Wayne and Merrillville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.hoosierpark.com

About Centaur Gaming: Founded in 1993, Indianapolis-based Centaur Gaming’s mission is to bring the entertainment and economic benefits of casino gaming and horse racing to communities across Indiana. Centaur, a privately held company, employs more than 2,000 Indiana residents through the award-winning entertainment destinations of Indiana Grand Casino and Indiana Downs in Shelbyville, Ind. and Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, Ind. In addition to the two racetrack and casino properties, Centaur’s operations extend to nearly every corner of the state with Hoosier Park’s Winner’s Circle Pub, Grille & OTB in Indianapolis and Off-Track Betting facilities in Clarksville, Fort Wayne and Merrillville, Ind.

It was a good day in Indiana for jockey Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. as the multiple Graded Stakes winning jockey captured the Grade II $200,000 added Indiana Oaks and the Grade II $500,000 Indiana Derby at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Oct. 6. It was the third consecutive year a jockey has won both of Hoosier Park’s signature Thoroughbred events.

Grace Hall under Brian Hernandez, Jr. dazzled fans with an impressive five and three-quarter length win in the 17^th running of the Indiana Oaks. The duo covered the one and one-sixteenth mile race in 1:41.85 over a track that was upgraded to good after a muddy start for the day.

Grace Hall wasted little time getting control of the petite field of five, breaking alertly to secure a stalking position on the outside of early pace-setters, Eden’s Moon and Rafael Bejarano. Wine Princess and Shaun Bridgmohan stalked the pace from the inside in third as they hit the first quarter mark in :23.67. Eden’s Moon continued to call the shots down the backside as the tightly packed field reached the second station in :47.31. Grace Hall was given the green light by Hernandez around the final turn as she ranged up to take the lead. The three-year-old Empire Maker filly put her raw talent on display as she began to open up on the field in the stretch. Grace Hall continued on to the wire to finish five and three-quarter lengths in front of Wine Princess. Eden’s Moon held on for the third place finish. As the heavy betting favorite, Grace Hall returned $3.80 for the victory.

“I was just the passenger today,” Hernandez, Jr. noted after the race. “This was all her. When I called on her down the stretch she went on pretty easily. I’m very thankful to have picked up this mount, she is just a really great filly and I think she showed that here today.”

Trained by Tony Dutrow, Grace Hall notched the third win of her 2012 campaign as she sent her seasonal bankroll over $600,000. Owned by Michael Dubb, Stuart Grant, and Bethlehem Stables, LLC, Grace Hall has now won six of her ten lifetime outings while bankrolling over $1.2 million in purse earnings for her connections. The multiple graded stakes winning filly was rebounding off a fifth place finish in the Grade I Alabama Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 18.

Hernandez Jr. followed suit in the very next race as he got Neck’N Neck home a winner in the 18^th running of the Grade II $500,000 Indiana Derby for trainer Ian Wilkes.  Far back early, the three-year-old colt unleashed a powerful move around the final turn and continued on to win by three-quarters of a length with a final time of 1:42.71.

Unhurried out of the gate, Neck’N Neck got away a worrisome tenth in the eleven horse field. The heavy betting favorite, Fed Biz and Rafael Bejarano broke alertly from post four to get the first call. Junebugred also broke alertly under Terry Thompson to duel for the early advantage along the inside through a first quarter in :23.60. Tritap and Shaun Bridgmohan stalked the pace from three wide as Second City and Marlon St. Julien also ranged up to press the pace down the backside. Fed Biz and Junebugred continued to exchange for the lead through the second quarter in :48.32. The pace began to quicken as the tightly knit field negotiated the final turn while Neck ‘N Neck began to make his move, rallying five wide on the outside. Fed Biz continued to led as the field turned for home in the one and one-sixteenth mile contest.

With the Fed Biz tiring on the front, Neck’ N Neck accelerated coming off the final turn and pressed on to the wire to finish in front of late charging Bourbon Courage. Fed Biz held on gamely for the third place finish. Neck ‘N Neck returned $11.20 to his backers.

“I talked to Ian before the race and he said he wanted to see him off the pace,” winning rider Hernandez, Jr. noted. “I was a little worried because we were hung kind of wide, but turning for home I was pretty confident in my horse. Every time I asked him for more he went on, once he got the lead he waited for them a little bit but he took back off and felt really good at the wire.”

The Flower Alley colt was looking to bounce back and did after a sixth-place finish in the GI Travers Stake at Saratoga on Aug.25. Owned and bred by A. Steven Miles, Jr., Neck ‘N Neck notched his third win of the season in nine starts as he pushed his seasonal bankroll over $387,000. The homebred colt has now four of 13 lifetime starts and over $420,000 in purse earnings.

From color commentator to purist handicapper and everything in between, Racing Rachel McLaughlin is a shining star amongst a new generation of horse racing enthusiasts. Here at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino we pride ourselves on going above and beyond the standard. Rachel is no exception. Horsemanship is steeped in tradition and race presentations have remained relatively unchanged throughout history. While many facets of the sport are here to stay, Hoosier Park aims to facilitate a new generation of horsemen. The focal point of our efforts lies with Rachel McLaughlin and her trackside reporting. Rachel is no stranger to the horseman culture. As an avid rider and horse owner herself, she has been involved with horsemanship for many years. Rachel began western style riding at an early age with her spotted saddle horse named Adidas. With her love of riding and knowledge of all things equine, she soon found her way to Hoosier Park in 2010 as a racing intern. 

As an intern Rachel excelled under the pressure of live reporting and her comfortability on camera ultimately landed her the position of lead commentator. Since her debut here at Hoosier Park, she has left no stone unturned in her endeavor to learn the sports betting side of both Standardbred and Thoroughbred horseracing. There are very few tracks across the nation that host both Thoroughbred and Standardbred competition. Each sport has an entirely different set of guidelines and knowledge of one does not equate to success in the other. McLaughlin makes the annual transition from Standardbred to Thoroughbred without missing a beat. With each passing year she has been able to build upon her solid foundation of racing knowledge and continues to grow to this day. Her unique ability to effectively cycle between the two forms of racing and her unmistakable presence on camera has brought her national attention as well. At only twenty four years of age, Racing Rachel is off to a notable start with features on both ESPN and HRTV. With a background in Sports Marketing and her unforgettable style, it seems Racing Rachel has only just begun. 

Rachel is currently hosting her fifth meet at Hoosier Park and her experience is evident as she transitions into an even broader role. Racing Rachel has developed into an excellent handicapper. In her first handicapping season she has already begun making a name for herself as her picks continue to hit the board. Coming off a successful Standardbred season, she has transitioned back to her roots with Thoroughbred. Her growing knowledge of the sport has landed her multiple roles as a handicapper, analyst, and commentator. Rachel also assists with marketing efforts  and holds the title of Marketing Coordinator. When she is not in front of the camera she spends her time planning promotions and giveaways to make our events enjoyable for guests of all experience levels. If you have been to Hoosier Park Racing & Casino you have undoubtedly taken part in one of her many daily activities and most likely went home with something to show for it. Rachel’s presence on camera is second to none and has an uncanny ability to make even the most mundane of tasks exciting and fun. Rachel’s role at Hoosier Park has increased the family fun aspect as well with daily games and giveaways that cater to individuals of all age groups. Racing Rachel’s personality exemplifies our mission here at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and we look forward to ushering in a new era of racing experience alongside her.

 If you are a fan of horseracing or would like to learn more about the woman behind the microphone, check out the Racing Rachel Facebook fan page or follow @HP_RacingRachel on Twitter. Also, be sure to stop in at 5:00 pm on weekdays to watch Rachel and Steve Cross kick off daily racing events with their live pre-race show in the Terrace.

On July 29th, our Indy Boys in Blue descended on Anderson University’s campus. Along with the one hundred man roster, coaches, staff and trainers took up temporary residency here in Anderson. With the many companies in the area showing their support, there was a sense of excitement in the air as you drove down Scatterfield to the playing field.  This is the third year Hoosier Park has participated in the camp festivities and were  even selected as an Official Super Celebration Site for last year’s Big Game in February. Hoosier Park’s support of Indianapolis football is now in full swing. For this year’s camp, Hoosier Park welcomed Big Blue fans with “Fan Appreciation Days.” During camp, guests of the park enjoyed special deals on food and beverages ranging from yard long beers to half-priced buffets as well as a koozie giveaway. The camp celebration culminated with a premium season ticket giveaway on Friday, August 17th. Charles Agnew of Anderson took home the coveted prize.  At Hoosier Park, we are proud supporters of our Boys in Blue and wish them “Luck” this season.