News
$500,000 Indiana Derby Highlights Record Money Day
A full field of 12 horses will vie for the title in the 15th running of the Grade II $500,000 Indiana Derby set 
for Saturday, Oct. 3 at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino. The Derby is slated as the 11th race, which go to post at approximately 5:15 p.m. Purses for the 13-race program are $981,500, marking a new record for most purse money ever distributed on a Thoroughbred racing program at Hoosier Park.
Headlining the list of entrants is Despite The Odds. The Michael Trombetta-trained colt is three for seven in 2009 and is also a Graded Stakes winner. The son of Speightstown won the Grade III Hill Princess Stake at Belmont. Despite the Odds will begin from post four with jockey Jose Lezcano aboard as the morning line favorite at odds of 7-2.
Also selected as one of the early favorites for the Indiana Derby is Graded Stakes winner Misremembered from the Bob Baffert Stable. The West Coast invader comes to Indiana with three wins in six starts, including the Grade II $300,000 Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park. Misremembered will be ridden by Victor Espinoza from post eight at odds of 9-2.
Kentucky Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel will make a special appearance at Hoosier Park. Borel, who earned his second Kentucky Derby win in 2009 aboard longshot Mine That Bird, will compete in several races on the program, including the Indiana Derby. Borel, who has won several stakes at Hoosier Park, will guide Sumo from post three for trainer H. Graham Motion. Sumo and Borel will begin at odds of 8-1.
The Indiana Derby field, with jockey and odds in post position order is: Giant Oak (Eddie Razo Jr.) 10-1, Win Willy (Derek Bell) 6-1, Sumo (Calvin Borel) 8-1, Despite The Odds (Jose Lezcano) 7-2, Karama (Victor Lebron) 8-1, Weslinn (Ron Allen Jr.) 10-1, Flat Bold (Corey Lanerie) 5-1, Misremembered (Victor Espinoza) 9-2, Fundy (Rosemary Homeister Jr.) 12-1, Hoopoe (TBA) 20-1, Petch (Phil Teator) 20-1, and Hoosier Kingdom (TBA) 20-1. A total of 15 horses entered the Indiana Derby, placing three on the also eligible list.
The Grade II Indiana Derby will be one of four stakes on the afternoon racing program. It will be joined by the 10th running of the $100,000 Michael G. Schaefer Mile, set as race nine, and the $70,000 Hoosier Breeders Sophomore Fillies Stakes and the $70,000 Hoosier Breeders Sophomore Stakes, carded as races eight and 10 respectively.
Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, Ind., is central Indiana’s premier entertainment destination, featuring 2,000 electronic gaming devices; Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing; and wholecard simulcasting. Hoosier Park Racing & Casino is a wholly owned property of Centaur Gaming, which also owns and operates Fortune Valley Hotel and Casino in Central City, Colo., and is working to develop Valley View Downs in western Pennsylvania. Hoosier Park also provides simulcast-wagering facilities in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Merrillville, Ind. For more information, visit www.hoosierpark.com.
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