Indiana Grand

Trainer Jonathan Wong has been provisionally suspended after being alerted late Wednesday that the B Sample confirmed the presence of Metformin in a post-race test taken from his trainee, Heaven and Earth (Gormley). Heaven and Earth broke her maiden at Indiana Grand June 1 but subsequently tested positive for the prescription drug Metformin, a type 2 diabetes treatment classified as a banned substance by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). During a conference call Thursday morning before representatives from the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) and a judge,...

by Sue Finley and Stefanie Grimm The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit has provisionally suspended trainer Jonathan Wong after one of his horses tested positive for a banned substance last month. Heaven and Earth (Gormley) broke her maiden at Indiana Grand June 1 but subsequently tested positive for the prescription drug metformin, a type 2 diabetes treatment. Wong was notified that his horses will need to be moved to the care of another trainer and potentially faces up to a two-year suspension and a $25,000 fine. While metformin is a...

Bill Downes has been named track announcer at Emerald Downs for the Washington track's 2022 season which opens May 15. He replaces Tom Harris who recently stepped down. Downes served as Indiana Grand track announcer from 2013 to 2021, and before that called races at Ellis Park, Beulah Park, Presque Isle Downs, and River Downs. He also was back-up announcer at Churchill Downs. "I'm thrilled to come to Emerald Downs," Downes said. "Emerald is a track I've always held in high esteem. I was there once for a two-day handicapping...

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) approved racing dates for the 2022 racing season at Indiana Grand Monday. A total of 127 racing days-including 12 Saturdays--are set for the Shelbeyville oval's 2022 season. Racing runs through Tuesday, Apr. 19, concluding Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. According to Eric Halstrom, Indiana's vice president and general manager of racing, "We feel our racing schedule offers a great balance that will appeal to a wide range of racing fans in 2022. We want to thank both the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing organizations for...

Indiana Grand's 2021 meet concluded Thursday. Randy Klopp, frequently towards the top of the standings, took home his first Thoroughbred trainer's title this year with 59 victories--12 more than the next conditioner--and earnings over $1.2 million. Klopp also teamed up to earn the owner's title with Roger Spiess's Spiess Stable. They partnered for 31 victories at the stand, finishing in the money 59% of the time and racking up more than $621,000 in purse earnings. Marcelino Pedroza Jr. took home his third Indiana leading Thoroughbred rider title with 105 victories,...

The Indiana Horse Racing Association held its annual banquet to honor and induct two new members to the Hall of Fame Sunday, Oct. 24 at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. Dr. James Carmichael, inducted posthumously, and Ernie Gaskin were the 18th and 19th individuals added to the list of leaders who have worked tirelessly to promote and support horse racing in the state of Indiana. Dr. James Carmichael was a career advocate for Quarter Horse racing. The graduate of Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine owned a veterinary practice in...

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission approved a request for dates for the 2022 racing season at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino during a Tuesday meeting. The 127-day racing season will begin Apr. 19 and end Nov. 23, 2022. The schedule marks the most racing dates in one season for Indiana Grand. The bulk of the racing season will be contested Monday through Thursday. First post Monday through Wednesday will be 2:30 p.m. while racing on Thursdays will begin at 3:30 p.m. Of the 127 days, seven will be Saturday cards...

2nd-Indiana Grand, $34,000, Msw, 9-20, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:04.86, sy, 3 1/4 lengths. AWESOMELY SHY (f, 2, Gormley--Awesome Story, by Awesome Again) was pegged at morning-line odds of 9-2, but was completely friendless in the market and was off at 12.50-1 for a high-percentage outfit based south and east at Belterra Park. Straightened out after breaking a bit to her right, the homebred cut out a decent pace on the front end, increased her advantage in upper stretch and was punched out to best even-money Abuela's Humor (Distorted Humor)...

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) approved Thursday Indiana Grand Racing & Casino's request for four additional racing days for the 2021 season. The track, which will now offer 123 days of live racing in 2021, will run Monday, Oct. 11 (Columbus Day) and continue through Nov. 11. The previous closing day was set for Monday, Nov. 8. Increased business this season has contributed to adding the four additional racing days in addition to the growth of the local horse population, increasing demand for additional racing opportunities in Indiana. Also,...

The catalog for the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Fall Mixed Sale is now online and printed copies will be mailing out shortly, ITOBA announced Wednesday. The auction will be held Saturday, Oct. 16, at 1 p.m. at the receiving barn at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. The auction will be managed by Duane Swingley Auctioneers. A total of 78 weanlings, yearlings, 2-year-olds and broodmares have been consigned to the sale. "There has never been a better time to get involved in Indiana racing and breeding," said ITOBA President...

3rd-Indiana Grand, $36,000, Alw, 8-23, (NW2L), 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10.89, ft, 8 1/4 lengths. JOYRUNNER (f, 2, Gun Runner--Joy {MSW, $250,544}, by Pure Prize) passed five of her eight rivals in the final furlong to annex her July 8 debut going a sloppy 5 1/2 furlongs and was the 11-10 chalk to put them back-to-back. The McIngvale colorbearer hopped a bit at the break, but was patiently handled and raced three wide into the turn. Roused to the front nearing the quarter pole, the Maryland-bred drifted out off the home...

Due to forecasted extreme heat Wednesday, Aug. 25 and Thursday, Aug. 26, Indiana Grand has changed post times for each of those days. Racing will now begin at 10 a.m. to accommodate the participants scheduled to race. "The forecasted temperatures are the most extreme we have seen in Shelbyville in decades," said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. "Keeping in mind that the health of our staff and equine athletes always comes first, we have decided to move our post times so we can avoid the highest...