Horse racing fans have plenty of options in Indianapolis, Indiana to watch and wager on horse racing. While horse racing has been a relatively new addition to the entertainment picture in the state, the industry is thriving and a competitive circuit between Hoosier Park and Indiana Grand support a local breeding and racing industry. With those two racetracks, along with off track betting facilities, the action is always close by for horse racing aficionados.
Indianapolis Off Track Betting Sites
Though the state does have two great live racing facilities with both live Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing, finding the time to make it to the races can be a challenge. Luckily, you can get in on the action from anywhere with one of these recommended online racebooks that are safe, secure and user-friendly all from the ease and convenience of a mobile device or computer.
Indianapolis Horse Race Tracks
There is something for everyone in Indiana. Whether quarter horse, thoroughbred or standardbred racing is your preference, you can get exactly the horse racing excitement you prefer at one of the state’s two great racetracks – Hoosier Park and Indiana Grand.
Hoosier Park
Hoosier Park opened officially in September of 1994 and featured both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing. The track held the first addition of its premier race, the Indiana Derby, in 1995. The track underwent some hard times in subsequent years but in 2007, due to the advent of expanded gambling in the state and the inclusion of slot machines at the facility, the track was given new life and reopened in 2008 as Hoosier Park Casino.
The track is a seven eighths of a mile dirt oval. There is no turf course.
The Indiana Derby has a purse of a $500,000 and currently holds Grade 2 status. In 2013, the race was moved to Indiana Grand. There have been some prominent racehorses who have won the race while it was at Hoosier Park including champion Lookin at Lucky (2010).
No trainer has been more successful in the race than Bob Baffert who makes an effort to support smaller venues. He won the race four times – Misremembered (2009), Lookin at Lucky (2010), Power Broker (2013) and Cupid (2016).
Indiana Grand
Indiana Grand, located in Shelbyville, brings Las Vegas to Indianapolis. There is a full casino as well as a racetrack and a well regarded OTB and sports pub, Winner’s Circle Brew Pub and OTB. This facility allows fans a comfortable place to watch and wager on races from across the country.
Indiana Grand, formerly known as Indiana Downs, is host to both Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing.
Indiana Grand is now home to the state’s premier race, the $500,000 Indiana Derby, which routinely attracts a quality group of the nation’s top three-year-olds.