Page 10 - April_2023

TRACK CHATTER
THE MONTH IN REVIEWby Jennifer K. Hancock Horseshoe Indianapolis
HORSESHOE INDIANAPOLIS ANNOUNCES STAKES SCHEDULE
Indiana Quarter Horse racing is coming off one of its best record-breaking years to date, and the momentum continues into 2023. More than $1.9 million is slated over 23 stakes races on the Quarter Horse schedule, with that figure certain to top $2 million following the addition of nomination fees to the final purses.
The 2022 season saw two stakes, the Gordon Mobley Futurity and the Miss Roxie Little Futurity, top $200,000 - a first in Indiana Quarter Horse racing history. The Miss Roxie Little Futurity now holds the record for the richest purse for a state stakes program at $201,500. Once again, the Miss Roxie Little Futurity will be joined by the Gordon Mobley Futurity and the Leader of the Class Sale Futurity as the richest stakes on the program starting at $150,000-added.
“Our Quarter Horse program continues to grow each year, and we are excited to keep that trend going in 2023,” said Chris Polzin, Director of Racing. “We have 10 stakes that will be run for six figures, and the nominations and participation in our stakes continues to grow annually. It’s very encouraging to see the amount of interest in our Quarter Horse program from across the nation, and we look forward to hosting some big days to showcase our Indiana Quarter Horse program.”
In addition to offering at least one race on a daily basis during the 123-day meet, a total of six Saturdays have been set aside for Quarter Horse racing. The all-Quarter Horse events will be held June 3, July 1, July 22, Aug.12, Sept. 2, and Oct. 7. Post times for the cards will be 10:45 a.m.
“We have worked to find the right fit in the simulcasting schedule for our Quarter Horse days, and the late morning start time puts us
in a prime spot for coverage through industry television outlets,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “We continue to consult with the horsemen to ensure
both our on-track and simulcasting partners
are benefitting from these dates and times, and the results are positive. Our Saturday cards are well attended and provide our horsemen with a platform to show just how far our state Quarter Horse program has come over the past few years.”
The 2023 Quarter Horse Stakes schedule begins with the $75,000-added Harley Greene Derby and the $75,000-added Born Runner Classic slated for the first all-Quarter Horse day on June 3. The stakes schedule culminates on Oct. 29 during the fourth Indiana Champions Day featuring both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse stakes. Quarter Horse racing will cap off the day showcased by five stakes, including the $150,000- added Miss Roxie Little Futurity. Quarter Horse stakes purses will top $500,000 for the day.
The 21st season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing will begin April 18 for a 123-day meet. The season extends through Nov. 17. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars. com/horseshoe-indianapolis.
PRAIRIE MEADOWS OPENS MAY 12
Prairie Meadows Racetrack has released its first condition book and stakes schedule for its 2023 Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet, which opens May 12 and runs through Sept. 30.
Prairie Meadows’ first condition book includes a Quarter Horse preview section.
The track has also announced additional information for owners, trainers, jockeys and industry participants planning to race in Iowa.
Prairie Meadows’ 80-day meet begins with 20 days of Thoroughbred-only racing from opening day through June 17. It continues with a mixed 60-day Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet from June 18 through closing day. Live racing will be offered on a Friday-Monday schedule, except for opening weekend, which will offer racing only on May 12-13.
Standard post time for Friday and Saturday programs will be 6 p.m. (CDT), while the track’s Sunday and Monday cards will start
at 4 p.m. The only exception to this post-time format is closing day, when post time will be 4 p.m. to accommodate the Iowa Classics Night.
Prairie Meadows first condition book covers the first 14 days of racing for Thoroughbreds only and includes a preview section for Quarter Horses covering June 18-July 3.
“Overnight purses on the Thoroughbred side have been increased by $1,000 across the board for the upcoming 2023 season,” said Quarter Horse racing secretary Chad Keller. “The Quarter Horse purse structure for the most part remains similar to last year with minor adjustments. However, we should reach nearly $13,000 for an average open overnight purse in 2023, our highest level since 2008.”
Prairie Meadows has also released stakes schedules for both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses.
“The Quarter Horse stakes schedule has a few minor changes for 2023,” Keller said. “We have dropped the Prairie Sprint stakes race and moved the Keokuk and Prairie Dash to different times on the schedule. We’ve also reallocated monies to a few stakes, shortened the Two Rivers distance (from 440 yards) to 400 yards, and we’ve added a few more days between trial and final dates for 400-yard derbies.”
Quarter Horse futurity and derby nomination forms are available online
from Prairie Meadows’ website at www. prairiemeadows.com, and horse health requirements for both breeds and ponies are available online in the condition book.
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8 SPEEDHORSE April 2023
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