Schedule shift proposed in Indiana, race dates to increase

Indiana horsemen could see an increase in race dates in 2009, but they will also have to adjust to a proposed schedule change. Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and Indiana Downs have each submitted requests for 80 days of racing next year, an overall increase of nine days over the 151-day calendar offered this year. In addition, Hoosier Park’s request calls for 12:45 p.m. posts each Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Anderson facility submitted a request to the Indiana Horse Racing Commission calling for an 80-day meet beginning March 25 and concluding July 12. While the proposed post time each Wednesday and Thursday of 4:45 p.m. is a slight change from the 6:45 p.m. first post offered earlier this year, the daytime starts each weekend would signify a major change. During the spring meet, Hoosier Park experimented with early post times which generated significantly less handle compared to the traditional evening starts.

Indiana Downs has requested 80 days of harness racing for 2009. The proposed race meet would begin July 24 and conclude Nov. 10. The Shelbyville track would offer 4:55 p.m. first posts on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with a 6:55 start time on Friday and Saturday each week.

The proposed racing calendar would create an 11-day gap between race meets. Indiana Downs would close their proposed 62-day Thoroughbred meet July 15 before turning over the racing surface and barn area to accommodate harness racing. Hoosier Park, currently in the midst of its Thoroughbred meet, has requested 63 days of flat racing in 2009. By law, each track must offer a minimum 140 days of racing in order to operate casinos. Each track’s proposed racing calendar must be approved by the IHRC.

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