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Bayou State as vice president of operations at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City. But when Jon Schuster, who worked as Indiana Grand’s VP/GM of racing for 17 years, passed away in late 2019, the track set its sights on Eric as Jon’s replacement.
“I’d known of Eric and met him once or twice over probably 10 years,” says his current boss, Joe Morris, senior vice president of racing. “When El Dorado bought Caesars, I ran all of the racing, and I was very pleased to see him in there. I knew he was a good operator, and he had a great reputation.”
Those who have worked with Eric agree and list his strengths as being hardworking, honest, straightforward, respectful, and community- and detail-oriented.
“He’s in there early and stays late and does what it takes to do the job,” says Joe. “I have a saying at racetracks: ‘Inspect what you expect,’ and you can’t do that from your office. You do
that on your feet, out in your building, on your backstretch and on the racetrack. Eric does that.
“He’s also a very honest and straightforward guy,” Joe adds. “I always appreciate that; it saves you time in a day if you just take the issue, whatever it is, and deal with it straight on. And he’s respectful. He always puts himself in the other person’s chair, whether it’s an employee or a customer or a horseman; he listens to the other side before making decisions.”
Well-known racing publicist and journalist Martha Claussen of Houston adds, “He’s committed to all aspects of the operation. He’s very community-oriented, as is Horseshoe Indiana. Oct. 8 was Pink Out supporting breast cancer awareness, and they also support the Greyson Foundation and Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, among others. It’s a pleasure to be affiliated with a manager and a company that care as much about racing as Eric and Horseshoe Indianapolis.”
BUILDING A TEAM
Eric’s work ethic, passion and commitment have resulted in the dedicated team he has built over his two years at Horseshoe Indianapolis. “You’re only as good as the people you have working for you, and he has an amazing staff,” says Martha. “Eric has hired really good people who are as committed to the sport as he is, and you can see it clearly.”
One example of that is Eric’s recruitment of Horseshoe Indianapolis’ new racing announcer John Dooley, who worked at Arlington Park
Coady Photography
“He’s committed to all aspects of the operation. He’s very community-oriented, as is Horseshoe Indiana.”
- Martha Claussen
John Dooley, whom Eric recruited as Horseshoe Indianapolis’ racing announcer with Rachel
McLaughlin.
Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse
Courtesy Eric Halstrom