Horseshoe Indianapolis race dates for 2024 are approved
The Indiana Horse Racing Commission approved 2024 racing dates for Horseshoe Indianapolis Wednesday at its monthly meeting held at Hoosier Park. A total of 124 racing programs are slated for 2024, beginning with a special total solar eclipse racing day Monday, April 8. The season extends through Thursday, Nov. 14.
“Our season will kick off with a unique opportunity to race during the total solar eclipse,” said Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing. “Horseshoe Indianapolis is in the epicenter zone of the eclipse, which will begin in mid-afternoon. Thousands of people have already made plans to visit the area for the phenomenon, and we plan to offer a fun day at the track with racing conducted literally around the total solar eclipse.”
Horseshoe Indianapolis will offer several Saturday racing programs during the season with the first set for Saturday, May 4, which is Kentucky Derby day. The program will begin at 11:45 a.m. EDT and will extend into the evening in coordination with racing from Churchill Downs. A special racing day will also be held Saturday, June 8, Belmont Stakes day, beginning at 11:45 a.m. EDT.
The track’s premier racing day, centered around the Grade 3 Indiana Derby, has been slated for Saturday, July 6, beginning at 1 p.m. EDT with Indiana champions day set for Saturday, Oct. 26, also beginning at 1 p.m. EDT. Other Saturdays on the racing calendar are July 13 and Aug. 17 with a first post of 6 p.m. EDT.
The bulk of the season will be held on the customary Monday through Thursday schedule with first post at 3:10 p.m. EDT. Six all-quarter-horse racing dates begin June 1 and conclude Oct. 5. Two Friday cards will be held July 5, the day before Indiana Derby, and Sept. 6 beginning at 3:10 p.m. EDT.
“We have worked closely with our horsemen’s organizations and found our product has found a good fit on the national schedule of racing during the week, so we want to continue to keep that momentum going as we are coming off back-to-back record setting years in 2022 and 2023,” Halstrom said. “With a total of 12 Saturdays of racing throughout the season, we feel our schedule is diverse enough to cover all types of activities and cater to different audiences who enjoy watching the races at Horseshoe Indianapolis.”
The current season of live Thoroughbred and quarter horse racing extends through Friday, Nov. 17.