Betting Horseshoe Indianapolis: Debut runners merit attention

Horseshoe Indianapolis opens its seven-month meeting on Tuesday, and the Indiana track has made a welcome change to its wagering menu by eliminating the Jackpot Pick 6 and adding a second Pick 5.

The Pick 5 features 11.99 percent takeout and is on the first and last five Thoroughbred races each day. For opening day, that means the sequences start with races 1 and 5 of the 10-race card because the last race is for quarter horses.

Races 6 and 7 are maiden special-weight affairs that feature first-time starters, making the Horse Racing Nation First-Time Starter Power Ratings Report indispensable for that Late Fire 5 on races 5-9.

In April 2021 and 2022, debut runners rated with four or five stars won 3 of 20 races for a flat-bet profit of 14 percent. One-star horses, meanwhile, were not only winless in eight tries but also failed to hit the trifecta at all.

Race 5 is also important as the swing race on the day. That is, it's part of both Pick 5 sequences. As a five-furlong race on dirt, the most important handicapping question might be Who will get the lead. Frontrunners won 21 of 37 (56.7 percent), and those at least three lengths off the pace early won only two (5.4 percent) of those races.

Check out Horse Racing Nation's FREE Track Trends Tool to research how every surface in North America plays by date and distance.

Of course, every race is important every day, but especially on opening day thanks to BA's Hat Trick contest, awarding $250 to the top handicapper.

Match wits with track handicapping Brian Arrigoni, and the winner will receive $250. Follow Horseshoe Indianapolis on Twitter for more information and to enter online.

The Horseshoe Indianapolis meeting runs through Nov. 17, with first post on Monday-Wednesday race days at 2:30 p.m. EDT and at 2:10 for Thursday and Friday racing. There are also selected Saturdays this year, including the Indiana Derby (G3) day card on July 8

"We have a lot to look forward to in 2023," Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing for Horseshoe Indianapolis, said in a news release. "Our barn area is nearly full already. We have had horses ship in from all over the United States. Entries have been strong for our first two days. We are glad to welcome a few new stables this year and will work to keep the momentum going from last season where we had a record setting year in handle.

"Every year, we have some really nice horses that train and race here," added Halstrom. "Last year, Angel of Empire started off his career here and had two wins for trainer Brad Cox. He is now headed to this year’s Kentucky Derby. This is just an example of some of the top horses we see throughout the season."