Indiana Grand preparing to open for racing in June
After receiving approval from the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, Indiana Grand Racing & Casino will begin to reopen its barn area in full on Monday.
This news is a precursor to the kickoff of its 18th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. Revised racing dates with an opening day during the week of June 14 will be announced in the next week with cards to be spectator-free.
Horsemen will be assigned days and times for arrival to ensure an orderly entrance into Indiana Grand. Horses located in Indiana will be preferred for a move into the barn area, which will house more than 1,000 horses when at capacity. Full training operations on the one-mile dirt surface will commence on Wednesday.
“We are pleased to be able to accommodate our loyal horsemen by fully opening our barn area,” said Mike Rich, senior vice president and general manager. “The suspension of our 2020 meet has been difficult for everyone and we appreciate the Governor, Eric Holcomb, and the Indiana Horse Racing Commission staff for their guidance. We look forward to racing in the near future in a manner whereby we will take every precaution to ensure the health and safety of our employees and horsemen.”
The 2020 racing program was scheduled to measure 120 days of racing, beginning on April 14 with the highest total of purse money available in the history of Indiana Grand. With the closure of the OTB, Casino and Sports Book back on March 16, the racing season was suspended indefinitely.
“This is a significant step towards starting our 2020 racing season,” said Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing. “Our racing department has been working on new plans for the meet including a new calendar and revised stakes schedule. We will announce those changes in the next week.”
Alterations to the previously released condition book and stakes schedule will be published online at www.IndianaGrand.com. Horsemen are encouraged to contact Indiana Grand Director of Racing Kevin Greely at (317) 421-3080 for information on all arrival and racing matters.
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, in Shelbyville, Ind., is owned and operated by a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corp.