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Anderson Symphony Orchestra, Community Leaders and Hoosier Park Combine Efforts for Independence Day Celebration

Anderson, Ind.; – June 27, 2012– Thousands are expected to enjoy the new Anderson and Madison County area Independence Day celebration at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino Wednesday, July 4 beginning at 5 p.m.  The community celebration, labeled ‘Fire It Up on the 4th’, is a result of a combined effort among a group of community businesses and leaders, the Anderson Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.  The event, open to all ages and free to the public, will include a special performance of patriotic music by the Anderson Symphony Orchestra, live Standardbred racing, family fun games, outdoor dining and a grand finale fireworks presentation.

Fire It Up on the 4th will be hosted in the extended Hoosier Park outdoor music center. With a capacity for up to 15,000 people, the Hoosier Park outdoor venue was chosen to accommodate this ever-growing community event.  The family friendly atmosphere will include designated family parking and entrances to accommodate all guests.

The Anderson Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Rick Sowers, will perform a patriotic themed 55 minute set with added classic rock hits to entertain the crowd.  The orchestra is scheduled to begin playing at 9:20 p.m., with the fireworks following at 10:15 p.m. Live Racing will begin at its regularly scheduled post of 5:30 p.m. The Fire It Up on the 4th celebration has been generously supported by local sponsors Pay Less/Kroger Super Markets, Ed Martin Anderson Automall, The Herald Bulletin and Hudson Rentals.

The 2012 Fire It Up on the 4th Committee is made up of the following community leaders, businesses and organizations:

• Rick Sowers, Music Director, Anderson Symphony Orchestra
• Dana Stone, Executive Director, Anderson Symphony Orchestra
• Marissa Skaggs, Community Volunteer, Anderson Symphony Orchestra
• Tom Bannon, Executive Director, Anderson/Madison County Visitors and Convention Bureau
• Paula Bivens, Copy Chief, The Herald Bulletin
• Grant Scharton, Director of Public Relations, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino
• Becky Young, Director of Marketing, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino

“Feedback from the ASO musicians has been overwhelmingly positive.  They are enthused about performing at Hoosier Park with a top-of-the-line sound system, covered stage, and fantastic lighting. It will add so much to the concert this community knows and loves.” said Rick Sowers, Anderson Symphony Orchestra’s music director. “Expect a fantastic evening with patriotic favorites from Stars and Stripes Forever, America the Beautiful and The 1812 Overture to the popular hits of the Beetles and Beach Boys.”

“Hoosier Park is truly honored to be a part of the community Independence Day celebration.” said Grant Scharton, Hoosier Park’s director of public relations. “Our outdoor venue will have everything to make this Anderson and Madison County community tradition an event families will continue to enjoy.”

Chairs, picnic tables and dining outlets will be made available throughout the venue for convenience. Outside food and drinks will be prohibited. Guests are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets for additional comfort.

About the Anderson Symphony Orchestra: The Anderson Symphony Orchestra was organized in 1967 by leaders at Anderson University, with its very first performance made up largely of volunteers from the local community. Now 44 seasons later, the ASO is a proud assemblage of professional musicians, who for the most part, earn their living in the music arts.  Maestro Richard Sowers has conducted the Symphony since 1989.  The organization was incorporated in 1978 is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. 

About Hoosier Park Racing & Casino: Hoosier Park Racing & Casino was recently ranked as the Indianapolis Area’s Most Popular Attraction for the second 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 and simulcast Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing each year.  Simulcast wagering is also offered year-round at the Winner’s Circle Pub, Grille & OTB in Indianapolis and two off-track betting properties located in Fort Wayne and Merrillville, Indiana.

Take in all the excitement of the Kentucky Derby at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino! Enjoy convenient advanced wagering, a full simulcast race schedule, official Derby merchandise, live Standardbred racing and various entertainment acts throughout the day. In case our in-house handicappers haven’t provided you with enough information to pick your pony for the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby, we have comprised a list of Derby picks throughout the various departments at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Have fun and Good Luck!

Brian Elmore, Vice President and General Manager of Racing—#15 Gemologist—This is the horse with the best chance, I don’t know if he is the best horse in the race but I think he is in the best position to win this race. He’s a legitimate contender and I like where he is on the track.

Jahnae Erpenbach, Vice President and General Manager of Gaming—#8 Creative Cause—What’s not to love about a horse with a great name?

Todd Berendji, Director of Casino Operations–#13 Went The Day Well—I chose this horse because my smart and pretty friend told me to, and I want to show her I can do what I am told!

Becky Young, Director of Marketing—#13 Went The Day Well—It’s hard not to pick Take Charge Indy but I have a good feeling about this horse.

Clint McKenzie—Casino Non-Gaming Operations—#3 Take Charge Indy—He ran a great race to win the Florida Derby at Gulfstream, he is sired by A P Indy, a champion stallion. On top this trip is jockey Calvin Borel, “King of the Kentucky Derby, who has won the Derby three times in last five years. I like the name and I really like the odds.

Grant Scharton, Director of Public Relations—#15 Gemologist—Aside from the fact that this horse is undefeated, it has Todd Pletcher/WinStar Farm in its corner. You gotta love this one!

Cliff Fraser, Race Marketing Manager—#11 Alpha— There is a lot of early speed in the race and he should be able to stalk the early pace and take advantage late in the race to get the win.

Rachel McLaughlin, Race Commentator—# 14 Hansen—I picked this horse as my Derby pick before our Road to the Derby contest started a few months ago. I really like the way this horse races each time out and I also like his trainer.

Jamie Krueger, Graphic Designer—#8 Creative Cause- He’s had a decent race history so far in 2012 being in the top three of his races this year and I’m partial to that name since I’m a creative person.

Kim Stalhiem, Horse Identifier and Stall Superintendent— #4 Union Rags—He runs well over an off track and you can’t leave Michael Matz and Julien Leparoux out.

Gene Ciscell, Director of Information Technology—#10 Daddy Nose Best—I like the horse because the 10 post has the highest win percentage in the Derby, and I also like the trainer.

Neal Stalhiem, Outrider—#3 Take Charge Indy—He runs well over an off track and I think the weather is calling for rain.

Gayla Julian & Krista Clements, Benefits Manager and HR Generalist—#3 Take Charge Indy—Calvin Borel has won the Derby multiple times and he is our friend.

MaTeka McBurrows & Dustin Bland, Human Resource Clerks, –#10 Daddy Nose Best—Steve Asmussen is a great trainer & we are a little “nosey” ourselves!

Gavin Asbury, Marketing Intern—#19 I’ll Have Another—I chose this horse because Doug O’Neill is one of the better trainers in California, his jockey is coming off a great summer season in Canada. The owner Paul Reddem is an E-entrepreneur who still participates heavily in the day to day operations of his stable. Mario and I’ll Have Another have also had two great performances recently in Santa Anita. I feel like this a perfect pairing of a quality horse, trainer, jockey brought together as an all-star team.  And of course, I’m always down to have another!

Royal Passion and driver Jason Dillander cruise to victory in a leg of the Miss Windfall Series

The second leg of the Miss Windfall Series, a late closing event open to three and four-year-old Indiana sired fillies and mares that are non-winners of $7,500 lifetime, was contested with four divisions at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Tuesday, April (3).

The fastest of the four divisions went to driver Jason Dillander and Royal Passion posting a new lifetime best in 1:56.0. Trained by Rod Lorenzo, Royal Passion is now two for two in 2012 as she also won the first leg of the series. Leaving from post three, the heavy betting favorite sat parked through opening fractions of :28:2 and :57.3. Royal Passion slowly made her bid to the front through the three-quarters in 1:27.1. Never contested down the lane, the three-year-old filly sired by Royal Art marched home in :28.4 to win by a length and a half. Royal Passion has now bankrolled $10,240 for her connections, Dobbins Standardbreds Inc. of Bryant, Al.

After making a clean sweep of the early daily double, Jason Dillander then made quick work of the third race, another division of the Miss Windfall Series, with Reaching Chip. Trained by Robert Reeser, the Art’s Chip filly found the winner’s circle in 1:56.4 with a closing panel of :28.1. Reaching Chip has also made a clean sweep of her divisions in the Miss Windfall series as she is now two for two, elevating her career earnings to $10,000. “She’s a really nice filly,” Dillander said of his mount. “She’s still green and has a lot to learn, so I had to be careful with her. She has plenty of speed but can be touchy. I was really happy with the way she raced tonight on the front end.”

Miss Kilo and driver Peter Wrenn took advantage of a perfect pocket trip to edge out their opponents in 1:57.1. The three-year-old filly sired by Kilowatt was able to split horses down the lane through a :28.1 final panel to win in a career best time. Owned by Bernard Brown of Saginaw, MI, Miss Kilo is trained by Tim Roach and has now won three of her lifetime starts.

In the final division of the late closing action, driver Jason Dillander found the winner’s circle once again. Dillander steered Bittersweet Best to her maiden breaking victory in 1:57.0, giving Dillander his fourth win of the night and third of the series. Trained by Charlie Stewart, the Pro Bono Best filly rallied home in :28.3 after a taxing trip. Bittersweet Best held off a hard charging Tricksaremyway and driver Sam Widger, who finished a close second.“She’s a nice filly also,” Dillander said of the three-year-old filly. “I look for her to be better next week since this was only her first start, but she is a really nice filly to drive. It looks like I am going to have a tough decision to make next week when the $15,000 final rolls around.”

The Miss Windfall Series Final will be held on Tuesday, April 10 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.

Leading trainer Charlie Stewart is already off to a great start in defending his 2011 Leading Trainer title at Hooiser Park Racing & Casino. Stewart headed the 2011 trainer’s title with 46 wins and $304,825 in earnings for the meet. The 24-year-old was also the youngest trainer to ever accomplish that feat for any breed at Hoosier Park. It was Stewart’s first training title. Ryan Bellamy finished a close second with 34 wins while North America’s leading trainer, Ron Burke wasn’t far behind him with 33 wins.

“It was quite an honor to be the leading trainer last year because there are a lot of great trainers here,” Stewart said of his title. “I didn’t expect to win it, but it was nice to be recognized in such great company. I’m looking forward to this year and am hoping my horses will be as competitive as they were last year.”

An Indiana Native, Stewart has been training horses since he was 14. Working with racehorses has been a family affair as Stewart’s mother, Gay Bankson, trains thoroughbreds. However, he got a taste of working with Standardbreds when he worked for well-known trainer Modie Beeman as a teenager. Beeman lived less than a mile away from Stewart’s childhood home.

With 267 career wins and over a million dollars in earnings recorded as a trainer, Stewart ended 2011 with 82 wins and over $600,000 in purse earnings. Stewart has posted back to back seasons with his training bankroll surpassing the $600,000 mark.

He spent his winter racing his stable of fifteen around the Canadian circuit. While most his starts were recorded at Woodbine, he also started horses at Flamboro Raceway and Georgian Downs. He looks for his horses to be race tight kicking off the Hoosier Park meet.

“I’m very excited to be back at Hoosier,” Stewart said. “I had a good winter in Canada and my horses raced well but I’m glad to be back. Hopefully, we can keep that momentum going and get off to a good start here. This has always been my favorite place to race.”

The first pool of the Future wager this year February 10-12 has many familiar horses. The strong overall favorite and unbeaten Algorithms is rated top individual for the Derby Future Pool. Morning line odds are made by Mike Battaglia and are as follows:

#1 Algorithms 8-1

#2 Alpha 20-1

#3 Battle Hardened 30-1

#4 Creative Cause 20-1

#5 Discreet Dancer 15-1

#6 Dullahan 20-1

#7 El Padrino 20-1

#8 Empire Way 50-1

#9 Ever So Lucky 20-1

#10 Fed Biz 20-1

#11 Gemologist 20-1

#12 Hansen 12-1

#13 I’ll Have Another 20-1

#14 Junebugred 50-1

#15 Liaison 20-1

#16 Longview Drive 50-1

#17 Midnight Transfer 50-1

#18 Mr. Bowling 50-1

#19 Out of Bounds 20-1

#20 Rousing Sermon 30-1

#21 Sabercat 30-1

#22 Take Charge Indy 30-1

#23 Union Rags 10-1

#24 All other 3YO’s 9-5

The popular Kentucky Derby Future Wager offers fans to bet on candidates well in advance of the year’s premier sporting event. The famed 1 1/4-mile race for 3YO thoroughbreds at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 5th Fans will receive the odds on their horse that are placed at the conclusion of wagering on each pool and those odds could be a lot higher than the odds on Derby Day!

By Stuart Hirsch
The Herald Bulletin

Tourism has become big business in Madison County and Hoosier Park Racing & Casino is the star attraction.

That’s the conclusion of a recent report from the Anderson/Madison County Visitors & Convention Bureau, which looked at the economic impact of the tourism and travel industry here in 2008 and 2010.

Among the report’s key findings were that:

Tourism and travel contributed nearly $506 million to the local economy in 2010.
A total of 3,821 jobs exist here because of the industry.
Nearly one-third of them are high-wage earners, professionals, technicians, managers, sales and construction jobs.
Tourism-generated jobs provided more than $68.6 million in wages to Madison County workers in 2010, compared to $62.9 million in 2008.
More than 3.9 million people made Madison County a tourism destination in 2010, compared to 2.2 million in 2008, the year when the casino opened.
Tourism generated $22.9 million in revenue for county and municipal governments in 2010, compared to $14.8 million in 2008.
The report, prepared by Certec Inc., a market research company based in Versailles, Ky., concluded that “tourism impacts all sectors of the local economy.”

“The takeaway is that there has been an accelerated rate of change in tourism and its impact on economic development,” and George Vinson, incoming president of the visitors bureau board of directors.

Ralph Day, executive director of the visitors bureau, said the 2008 and 2010 study years were chosen specifically to look at the impact a casino would have at Hoosier Park.

“It has really made Anderson a destination,” Day said.

And Hoosier Park has been a terrific corporate citizen, he added.

Since the casino opened in June 2008, the complex has averaged 3.5 million visitors a year, said Grant D. Scharton, Hoosier Park’s director of public relations He also noted that the Indianapolis Business Journal has named it the Indianapolis area’s most popular tourist attraction.

“Hoosier Park Racing and Casino is very pleased with the response in the central Indiana region and the tourists who come and visit the casino,” he said.

Tourism and community amenities such as Hoosier Park are an essential component of economic development efforts, said Rob Sparks, executive director of the Corporation for Economic Development.

“I think that tourism is a really important part of branding our community,” he said.

The 2012 racing dates for Hoosier Park Racing & Casino are finalized by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission. Standardbred racing returns Tuesday, March 27 and will conclude Saturday, July 14 while the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons begin Wednesday, Aug. 1 and runs through Saturday, Oct. 27.

The 19th season of Standardbred racing will offer 80 days of action Tuesday through Saturday. Post time each evening is slated for 5:30 p.m. Hoosier Park’s signature event, the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational Pace is set for Saturday, June 2. The 2012 season will conclude Saturday, July 14 featuring Hoosier Champions Night and finals of the Indiana Sires Stakes.

The combined Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet will offer 64 days of racing with one of those days dedicated solely to Quarter Horse action. Racing will be held Tuesday through Saturday each week with a post time of 5:30 p.m. each evening except Saturday when racing begins at 12:30 p.m.

The highlight of the 18th season of Thoroughbred racing will be the Grade II $500,000-added Indiana Derby Saturday, Oct. 6. The day will also feature other stakes races including the Grade II $200,000-added Indiana Oaks, the $100,000-added Michael G. Schaefer Mile, and the $100,000-added Mari Hulman George Stakes.

The 16th season of Quarter Horse racing will be highlighted with the second annual All-Quarter Horse Stakes Day Saturday, Oct. 13. Post time for the event begins at 12:30 p.m.

Hoosier Park  was selected as one of 17 “super celebration sites” across the state that will act as a gathering place full of activities for those wanting to participate in the Super Bowl activities and be a welcome area for guests.
Buses will be providing transportation between area hotels and Hoosier Park — where the local activities are happening — and between Hoosier Park and downtown Indianapolis.

For the full article by the Herald Bulleting click below:

Hoosier Park named Super Celebration site for the Super Bowl

Saturday night after our all Quarter Horse Racing Day the jockeys got together and did a little something special. JD Mitchner, Aron Hunt & Harold Collins are pictured here ready to participate in the Womanless Beauty Pageant some of the quarter horse jockeys competed in Saturday night at the QHRAI banquet.

The jockeys, dressed in drag, walked around with a boot asking for donations for Richard Gilliard. Gilliard was critically injured in a quarter horse race August 23rd, he continues in rehabilition to this date. To accompany the beauty pageant proceeds, stick horses were auctioned off to the highest bidder. Anyone who now owns a stick horse will pick a rider and participate in a “stick horse race” on Ladies Day Saturday, October 22nd.

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino proudly supports the Disabled Jockey Fund in any way that we can. Horseshoes have also been sold on big racing days and all cash goes to the charity. Dale Huber donated the horse shoes to be decorated and Debbie Blaesing did an amazing job selling the horse shoes on Derby Day. She sold $420 worth of horse shoes that went directly to the charity.

The amount of time spend here at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on giving back to the community is truly inspiring. We will all be keeping Richard Gilliard and any other disabled jockey in our thoughts, and continue to do what we can to give back to those in need.

This Saturday, October 8th was our first ever all Quarter Horse racing day, and Hoosier Buddy took full advantage of the fun! Not only did he ride the mechanical bull, Buddy went to the jockey meet and greet, he clowned around with our rodeo clown and did some walking with our cowboy stilt walker. Our Wild West theme also had family fun day activities including a bouncy house, face painting and interactive games.

All afternoon you could see Hoosier Buddy making his rounds to all of our events. He really got excited when the mule race was going on because his girlfriend was in the race! Buddy’s girlfriend, Sarah got last place in the non-wagering mule race that took place after race 2.

All of our activities were coupled with an excellent racing card. There were three trials of the Miss Roxie Little Futurity, three trials of the Governor’s Stakes, race 10 was the Sterlie Bertram Final for $100,000 and the last race on the card was the Hoosier Park Classic Final also for $100,000!