Eric Halstrom

Horseshoe Indianapolis concluded its 124-day season Nov. 14 with a record total domestic handle of $282 million. The new mark eclipses the previous record of $279 million set in 2023. "Once again, we are very proud of our racing program this season and it is the result of a strong team effort between our staff, horsemen, and the Indiana Horse Racing Commission," said Horseshoe Indianapolis Vice President and General Manager of Racing Eric Halstrom. "Everyone contributed to our success this season, which is clearly shown in our wagering results. We...

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) approved 123 days of live racing for the 2025 season at Horseshoe Indianapolis during its regular meeting at the track Thursday, Oct. 24. Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing will mirror the 2024 schedule. There will be six dates dedicated to Quarter Horses exclusively. Racing will begin Tuesday, Apr. 15 and run through Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, with first post set for 2:10 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday. The track's marquee events--the GIII Indiana Derby and GIII Indiana Oaks--are scheduled for Saturday, July 5, with...

The $150,000 Caesars S. and the $150,000 Horseshoe Indianapolis S. have been rescheduled for Saturday, July 13 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. "Unfortunately, we had to postpone Caesars Day in mid-May due to torrential weather, which included over four inches of rain the evening before and forced us to cancel our racing program," said Eric Halstrom, Vice President, and General Manager of Racing. "But we did not want to completely bypass both The Caesars and The Horseshoe Indianapolis. Those races have become a staple on our schedule each season. It just took...

Live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis was canceled Wednesday as a result of rains that passed through the area. "Out of concern for the safety of our equine and human athletes that the races for Wednesday, May 15, have been canceled," Horseshoe Indianapolis Vice President and General Manager Eric Halstrom said on the track's X feed. Rachel McLaughlin, the on-air racing analyst and production manager for the track, posted images on X showing widespread flooding on and around the racetrack. Nine Thoroughbred races were carded for Wednesday, including the first open...

The 22nd season opener at Horseshoe Indianapolis will begin with a noon first post time Monday, but the racing action will pause at 2:30 p.m. with the Shelbyville racetrack positioned right on the line of totality of the solar eclipse. Patrons will be treated to local entertainment from Lindsey Flannery, Kitt Hammond, Nick Fischer, and Garry Lauziere and The Endless Summer Band. Giveaways include chairs, T-shirts, racing calendars, and viewing glasses, while supplies last, while equine artist Sally Mize will create a live portrait during the afternoon and fans of...

A record $5.03 million has been allocated to the 2024 stakes schedule at Horseshoe Indianapolis, a program highlighted by the $300,000 GIII Indiana Derby and the $200,000 GIII Indiana Oaks, each to be contested Saturday, July 6, 2024. Some 42 stakes will be offered over the course of the season, which gets off to a unique beginning on Monday, Apr. 8 to coincide with Total Solar Eclipse Day. The afternoon's features include the appropriately named Dark Side of the Moon and Total Eclipse of the Heart handicaps for Indiana-bred and...

Team members and racing fans at Horseshoe Indianapolis participated in the third annual Veteran's Day event Nov. 10 to raise proceeds for the Hoosier Veterans and Families, Inc. (HVAF) of Indiana, according to a release by the track Monday. The event featured several ways to raise funding and awareness for veterans including naming each race in honor of a veteran associated in some way to Horseshoe Indianapolis. Special saddle towels were also awarded to veterans and family members honored during the racing program. Additionally, a Veteran's Day Pick 5 Challenge...

Horseshoe Indianapolis has moved up its first post Wednesday to 10 a.m. and has moved its entire Thursday card to next Monday due to excessive heat warnings for Central Indiana this week. "Safety for our equine athletes and all the individuals who work outdoors during our racing program always comes first at Horseshoe Indianapolis," said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. "After reviewing weather predictions for this week that includes excessive heat warnings, we want to be proactive and get the necessary changes in place. We wanted...

The Grayson Grass Challenge--a five-week handicapping contest to raise money for the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, returns to Horseshoe Indianapolis for the fourth time beginning Aug. 1 and continuing through Aug. 31. Participants in the challenge submit selections on two specified races held each week at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Each contestant will be given a $500 bankroll provided by Horseshoe Indianapolis from which participants can make win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta wagers. At the end of the five weeks, all remaining bankrolls, plus winnings from the contestants will go...

Horseshoe Indianapolis is set to open for its 21st season of live racing on Tuesday, Apr. 18 with a 10-race card consisting of nine Thoroughbred races and one for Quarter Horses. Racing will be conducted for 123 days through Nov. 17 on a Monday-through-Thursday schedule with a handful of Saturday night cards for Thoroughbreds only added beginning Jun. 3 and concluding Sept. 2. "We have a lot to look forward to in 2023," Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing, said. "Our barn area is nearly full already....

Horseshoe Indianapolis will eliminate the Jackpot Pick 6 from its wagering format in 2023 and will add an additional Pick 5 to its menu. "Our team stays engaged with customers year-round and there's no question that the single most requested change from many of our best players was to eliminate the Jackpot Straight Fire 6," said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. "We have listened and are taking the Jackpot Pick 6 off the wagering format in 2023. It will be replaced with an additional Pick 5...

Highlighted by the $300,000 GIII Indiana Derby July 8, Horseshoe Indianapolis has finalized a 2023 racing season featuring 38 black-type events worth $4.75 million. Eight stakes worth $1.1 million are slated for the Indiana Derby Day card, including the GIII Indiana Oaks. "Each year, Indiana Derby Day continues to grow and sets new handle records," said Vice President and General Manager of Racing Eric Halstrom. "Our racing office staff works very hard to assemble top quality fields for each of these stakes. With all the activities surrounding the event, Indiana...