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.

In recent history, there has been a trend of classic rock bands reuniting to bring the songs we all know and love back to the live stage. Hoosier Park Racing & Casino is no stranger to these types of acts with bands such as Foreigner and Air Supply recently headlining our Summer Music Track Series. On August 31st, Creedence Clearwater Revisited will be here rocking the Summer Music Track II stage with a sound straight out of 1971. Though Creedence Clearwater Revisited does not have rights to the name “Revival,” they have literally revived a sound we all remember rocking out to. Many other bands have reunited with new members only to lose their unique sound in the process. Creedence Clearwater Revisited may have changed their logo, but the sound is as intact as it has ever been. The two original members, Stu Cook and Doug “Cosmo” Clifford, are familiar with the standards they set long ago and deliver an authentic show. Concert guests can expect CCR Hall of Fame hits like “Proud Mary,” “Suzie Q” and “Born on a Bayou” to name a few. Creedence Clearwater Revisited is sure to be an unforgettable show that you won’t want to miss. Join us for a trip down memory lane as we celebrate the “Revival” of a timeless band.  Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com or the Hoosier Park Box Office inside Shelby’s Gifts in the Terrace.

Here at Hoosier Park, we are excited about our new and innovative slot tournament system known as “TournEvent.” “TournEvent” is a bank of interactive slot machines networked together for a seamless tournament experience. The system requires an active play style that will test even the most seasoned of slot players. In addition, the system allows paperless operation and a running database of results. This technology is not only fun, but also streamlines the tournament process making it more enjoyable for guests and operators alike.

The system began operation in July with the start of  the “Wanna Be A Slot Star” series. Since its unveiling, ”TournEvent” has been one of the more popular destinations on our property as it is just as much fun to watch as it is to play. The “Wanna Be A Slot Star” series will continue through August 29th each Sunday and Wednesday. Each day, the tournament consists of thirty five rounds of two minutes each with an eight minute standby for seating. The winner of each individual round receives $50.00 in casino cash and the tournament high score winner receives $1,000. Signing up for a tournament is easy and FREE. Simply check in at Club Centaur Rewards with your player’s card and make your way to the tournament area ten minutes prior to your designated session. When you arrive at the tournament area, simply look for your name and take a seat at the corresponding machine.

Once again, the Grade II $500,000-added Indiana Derby will be the highlight of the 2012 Thoroughbred season at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Now in its 18^th running, the Indiana Derby has served as a stop for several of the top three-year-olds in the nation that are searching for a final prep en route to the Breeders’ Cup. Last year, Wilburn and jockey Julien Leparoux made a sweeping move in the final turn to win Hoosier Park’s featured event. The duo covered the one and one-sixteenth mile event in a time of 1:43.3 over the fast track that was upgraded from muddy earlier in the day.

The Indiana Derby is placed in its customary first Saturday in October slot, this year landing on October 6^th. As in 2011, the race pushed purses for the entire day over $1 million mark, a bold statement for Indiana Thoroughbred racing. Joining the Indiana Derby will be the Grade II $200,000-added Indiana Oaks, the $100,000-added Michael G. Schaefer Memorial Mile and the $100,000-added Mari Hulman George Stakes. In addition to open events, several Indiana Stakes will be on the stellar afternoon racing card, including the $84,000 Hillsdale Stakes, the $84,000 The City of Anderson stakes, the $84,000 Hoosier Breeders Sophomore Stakes, the $84,000 Hoosier Breeders Sophomore Stakes Filly Division, the $84,000 Gus Grissom Stakes, and the $84,000 Richmond Stakes. Total purse money for the day will be in excess of $1 million.

The 2012 Thoroughbred stakes season gets underway Saturday, August 25^th with the 16^th running of the $84,000 Brickyard Stakes and the 18^th running of the $84,000 Merrillville Stakes.

The Don K Memorial Starter Handicap Series is also slated for the 2011 season. Five legs of the series are scheduled with the distance increasing as the series progresses throughout the meet. The fifth leg will round out the series on Wednesday, October 24 running at a distance of one and one-eighth mile. The $200,000 Too Much Coffee Stakes and the $200,000 Frances Slocum Stakes will be contested on the final racing program of the season.

ANDERSON, IND. – July 30, 2012 – Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will kick off its 18th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing on Wednesday, Aug., 1. The 64-day meet runs through Saturday, Oct., 27, with racing held Tuesday through Friday beginning at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday beginning at 12:30 p.m. Building on the successful ‘Family-Friendly’ themed events and activities of the Standardbred meet, Hoosier Park will include additional promotions, dining specials, giveaways, and entertainment to run alongside live racing.

To open the second meet of the year, the first 2,000 racing fans to visit the Trackside Club Centaur Rewards center will receive up to $1,000 in free race wagering.  The nine race opener will also offer two times points to those guests using their Club Centaur Rewards cards while wagering on Hoosier Park live races and $1 draft beer and hot dog specials.

As an added bonus on Saturday Aug., 4, guests can meet the ESPY award-winning Julie Krone from 4 p.m. to
5 p.m. in the Yard. Krone, a female jockey, is known as the most successful in history and the first woman inducted into the National Racing Hall of Fame. Additionally, the first 2,000 guests to visit the Terrace Club Centaur Rewards center beginning at noon will receive a free Hoosier Park Thoroughbred racing t-shirt.

Weekends during the meet will once again offer fans the enjoyment of both live racing and numerous entertainment opportunities throughout the venue. ‘Fan-tastic Fridays,’ offering $1 customer specials including beer, hot dogs, wagers, and racing programs and ‘Family Fun Saturdays,’ full of  live entertainment, kid-friendly outdoor games and activities, winner’s circle giveaways, and dining specials will round out each racing week. Friday’s ‘Beat the Big Guy’ handicapping competition will give guests an opportunity to out-handicap Centaur Gaming chairman and CEO, Rod Ratcliff, for a chance to win up to $750.

“We are looking toward our 18^th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing with much anticipation and excitement,” Brian Elmore, Hoosier Park’s vice president and general manager of racing noted. “We are going above and beyond expectations to provide everyone a better experience and I’m confident that the horsemen and patrons will appreciate Hoosier Park’s efforts and multiple facility enhancements.”

The racing competition is starting to take shape with word that, Leandro Goncalves, last year’s leading jockey will return to Indiana to defend his second consecutive leading jockey title at Hoosier Park.  Goncalves earned more than $2.1 million in purse earnings during the 2011 meet, which was just shy of his track record setting year in 2010 with a total of $2,405,286. Fernando De La Cruz finished second with a total of 81 wins while Hoosier Park’s all-time leading rider, Rodney Prescott, was third with 50 wins.

On the training side of things, Gary Patrick earned his third leading trainer title at Hoosier Park in 2011 with 36 wins. Patrick also topped the owner charts for the second straight year with his 2011 record. A native of Circleville, Ohio, Patrick won his first leading trainer title at Hoosier Park in 1998 and picked up his second title in 2002. He is currently ranked second on the list of all-time leading trainers at Hoosier Park behind Ralph Martinez. Patrick was followed in the standings by Barbara McBride and the 2010 leading trainer Tom Amoss, each ending the season with 19 wins.

Quarter Horse racing will experience another exciting day devoted to their breed. Now in its 16th year, an all Quarter Horse racing program is set for Saturday, Oct. 13. Tagged as the “Wild West Adventure”, the afternoon event will include trials for some of the biggest Quarter Horse events in the state. Patrons can enjoy Indiana’s best Quarter Horse racing along with Wild West-themed food and drink and lots of fun family entertainment.

Known in recent years for attracting some of the biggest names in horse racing, the 18th running of the Grade II $500,000-added Indiana Derby will take place Saturday Oct. 6.  The fan-favorite event will highlight the stakes schedule of the Thoroughbred meet and promises to be an exciting day at the races. The $500,000-added Grade II Indiana Derby will be the featured event on the card along with the $200,000-added Grade II Indiana Oaks, the $100,000-added Michael G. Schaefer Memorial Mile, and the $100,000-added Mari Hulman George Stakes, filling completing Indiana’s richest day of racing.

About Centaur Gaming and Hoosier Park Racing & Casino: Indianapolis-based, Centaur Gaming, owns and operates 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, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse 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.

A group of seven lined up behind the gate for the fourth and final leg of the $30,000 Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and it was Our Lucky Chip who romped home a winner in 1:50.3. The three-year-old colt turned in an impressive performance to score his third Indiana Sire Stakes victory.

Sent postward as the heavy betting favorite, Our Lucky Chip was unhurried out of the gate by driver Trace Tetrick. With an electric opening quarter of :25.3, it was Andy Shetler and Sunday Poker, the Silver Sire Stakes invader, calling the shots with Rustle’s Chip and Don Eash following closely in second. The field remained in single file line through the half mile time of :55.2 before Tetrick gave Our Lucky Chip the green light. Fridaynightflight was well placed second over with Jammin Joshua right behind him third over. Reaching the leader’s wheel around the three-quarter clocking in 1:23.2, Our Lucky Chip sprinted clear and charged home to win convincingly by two lengths over Sunday Poker.  Jammin Joshua and Sam Widger staged a big rally late in the lane to get up for the third place finish. Our Lucky Chip returned $3.60 to his backers.

“He came back a little sharper this week,” Tetrick noted of the colt. “The three weeks off last week hurt him a little bit but he raced really tough tonight. He seemed really strong around the last turn and he dug in and got there tonight. He’s very competitive in this field of horses so I’m really looking forward to the final.”

Trained by Jason Miller, who also co-owns the colt with Bradley Roller, Our Lucky Chip has now increased his lifetime bankroll over $70,000. With the victory, Our Lucky Chip became the fastest son of Indiana’s leading three-year-old pacing sire, Art’s Chip. The brown colt has now won nine of 12 career outings and seven of nine seasonal starts.

Our Lucky Chip will advance to the $200,000 Indiana Sire Stakes final for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Saturday, July 14. The race will be part of Hoosier Champions Night, featuring more than $1 million in purses for the Indiana Sire Stakes. Friday, July 13 will also be part of the national harness racing promotion, “Back to the Track” night. The Indiana Standardbred Association will offer several addition promotions and giveaways throughout the weekend to mark the final night of harness racing for 2012.

Angel Band captures her first Indiana Gold Sire Stakes win.

Angel Band and driver Ed Hensley planned a well timed rally to sweep by the heavy betting favorite, Sweetasmusic, late in the lane to capture the fourth leg of the $30,000 Indiana Gold Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday (July 5). The win notched the first Gold sire stakes victory for Angel Band and the second win of her sophomore season.

Pete Wrenn and Blueridge Abigail were the first to get a call as they led the field of nine through the opening split of :27.1 with She’s Country and Charlie Conrad at their back in second. Sweetasmusic found herself sixth along the rail after starting from the trailing post ten. Angel Band and Hensley remained off the pace for the first half fractions which saw much movement. Sweetasmusic was sent to the front down the backside by driver Walter Haynes Jr. and struck command before the three-quarter time in 1:28. Ricky Macomber Jr. and Honeyinthepine were left in outer flow first up heading into the final turn when Sweetasmusic began to show her speed. Angel Band and Hensley were well placed second over.

Sweetasmusic sprinted away to a three-length lead early in the stretch before being tracked down in the shadow of the wire by a fast closing Angel Band. Stopping the clock in 1:57.1, it was a new lifetime mark for Angel Band. JS Foxy Lady also rallied late in the race to round out the well paying trifecta. The 18-1 upset paid $39.40.

“This is a nice filly,” Hensley noted of his mount. “She raced well last week and is just now coming into herself. The race ended up working out well for us, she dug in at the wire and raced really tough tonight.”

Trained by Ron Otto, Angel Band notched her third career victory and pushed her lifetime earnings over the $30,000 mark with the win. Owned by Martin Schmucker, Angel Band is from the first crop of Gregory Pecs and is out of the Corleone mare, Anightwithnorma.

Angel Band will advance to the $200,000 Indiana Sire Stakes final for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Saturday, July 14. The race will be part of Hoosier Champions Night, featuring more than $1 million in purses for the Indiana Sire Stakes. Friday, July 13 will also be part of the national harness racing promotion, “Back to the Track” night. The Indiana Standardbred Association will offer several addition promotions and giveaways throughout the weekend to mark the final night of harness racing for 2012.

Dontfusswithruss was one of eight wins on the night for Tetrick

Dontfusswithruss and driver Trace Tetrick rolled home as winners in the fourth and final leg of the $30,000 Indiana Gold Sire Stakes Tuesday, July 3. The three-year-old reigning freshman trotting champ turned in a powerful performance to score his second consecutive win and third Indiana Sire Stakes win.

Selected as the heavy favorite, Dontfusswithruss began his journey from the inside post and moved out quickly, landing in line fifth along the rail behind early leader A Royal Peck and Ricky Macomber Jr. However, their lead was short lived as Mark O’Mara and Jolenes Pinehonker had their sights set on the front. After a costly break by Jolenes Pinehonker, Velten San Siro and Ross Leonard inherited the lead just past the half mile marker in :58.0. Tetrick had Dontfusswithruss out and moving toward the leaders as the field headed into the final turn and the duo reached the front just past the three-quarters in 1:27.4. Dontfusswithruss stopped the clock in 1:56.4 and was able to hold off a hard charging My Muscleman and Jason Dillander who rallied hard in the final strides after being off the pace for much of the race. A Royal Peck got up for the third place finish. Dontfusswithruss returned $3.40 to win.

After a sensational two-year-old campaign, the Melissa Essig trained gelding celebrated his third seasonal victory in five outings. Owned and bred by Jacalyn Beeman, Dontfusswithruss now has career earnings in excess of $250,000 after winning six of 13 starts last year, including the Indiana Sire Stakes Final for two-year-old trotting colts.

Dontfusswithruss will advance to the $200,000 final Saturday, July 14. The race will be part of Hoosier Champions Night, featuring more than $1 million in purses for the Indiana Sire Stakes. Friday, July 13 will also be part of the national harness racing promotion, “Back to the Track” night. The Indiana Standardbred Association will offer several addition promotions and giveaways throughout the weekend to mark the final night of harness racing for 2012.

The win with Dontfusswithruss was one of eight wins on the 14-race card for Tetrick, who tied the record for most wins in one night at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, a record held by Don Irvine Jr. and Eric Ledford. Tetrick was victorious in the last five races on the card. He also steered Cam’s Flight and Can’t Beat This Kid for trainer Robert Taylor, and Elian’s Boy for Jim Dailey earlier on the card. Tetrick reached the winner’s circle in the night cap with the 3-year-old filly CC’s Munchkin in 1:56.3, a filly that is not only trained by Tetrick but also owned by his older brother, Tim Tetrick.

The 25-year-old reignsman is quickly approaching another milestone; Trace Tetrick is only 16 wins away from his 2000^th career win. Tetrick had his best year to date in 2011 when he recorded over $4 million in purse earnings and 391 wins, almost doubling his stats in years past. Tetrick also currently leads all Hoosier Park drivers with 117 trips to the winner’s circle and over $950,000 in purse earnings.

Dojea Nodoze and Ricky Macomber Jr. capture first round of George Sholty Series

The first two-year-old races were held at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Tuesday, June 26, as three $10,000 divisions of “The George Sholty” series were contested, a late closing event open to two-year-old colt and gelding trotters.

Among the list of impressive performers were Dojea Nodoze and Mr Jesse, a first start time starting duo sent postward from the Ron Burke stable. Dojeo Nodoze obeyed early orders from Ricky Macomber Jr. and eased into a spot along the rail in third. The duo was satisfied to follow along through the first quarter in :30.3 as Sizzling Hall and Dale Hiteman led the way down the backstretch. As the field of nine reached the half mile time in 1:02.3, Macomber Jr. gave the cue to Dojea Nodoze who was able to put a nose in front of the leader around the three-quarter mark in 1:31.4. As the field turned for home, Dojea Nodoze separated himself from the pack and powered home a winner in 2:01.2 by five and three quarter lengths. Mikey’s Trottintoy and Mark O’Mara were able to use their rail position to get up for the second place finish as Jailhouse Jive and Doug Rideout trotted evenly for third.

Sired by Cincinnati Kid, the two-year-old colt is owned by Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi. Bred by Dojea Stables, Dojea Nodoze was a $20,000 yearling purchase from the Indiana Premier Yearling Sale last fall.

Mr Jesse followed up his stablemate’s performance with his own five and one quarter length romp in his division of the late closing action. Driven by Ricky Macomber Jr., Mr Jesse left alertly from post six to find the front through an opening panel in :30.3. The freshman remained uncontested through fractions of 1:02.1 and 1:32.3, before trotting home in :28.4 to win going away in 2:01.2. Doug Rideout guided Poppycock to a second place finish as Boy Meets Girl K closed well for third. Mr Jesse represents the first Indiana eligible crop from the stand out sire, Jailhouse Jesse. Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Slaughter Racing Stable, Mr Jesse was a $20,000 yearling purchase from the Indiana Premier Yearling Sale last fall.

Go Gaspy Go and Rick Farrington closed out the late closing action for freshman trotters with a 2:02 victory by two and a half lengths over Paulie and Doug Rideout. Sired by Elegant Man, the two-year-old colt was able to make his way through traffic and track down Paulie down the stretch to trot home with a :28.3 closing kick. Buddy Garland and Walter Haynes Jr. rounded out the trifecta. Go Gaspy Go is trained, owned, and bred by Aaron Stutzman.

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.