More than $4.95 million is slated to be distributed for 47 premier Thoroughbred races during the upcoming 123-day season at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Racing begins Tuesday, April 7, kicking off the schedule with the $55,000 Brian Elmore and the $55,000 Merrill C. Roberts Handicaps.
The Grade III $300,000 Indiana Derby and the Grade III $200,000 Indiana Oaks highlight the premier racing schedule. Slated for Saturday, July 11, the afternoon racing program will feature eight elite races with purses topping $1.1 million.
"We have moved our Indiana Derby back one week this year, since its traditional place landed on July 4 this year," noted Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. "Our Indiana Derby has become a popular destination each July, and we wanted to ensure racing fans could enjoy the event. We had a record crowd and handle during last year's Derby with more than 5,000 in attendance and handle that exceeded $9 million, a new track record. We are already working on this year's event and plan to expand seating options trackside in addition to elevating our indoor clubhouse experience."
In addition to Indiana Derby Day, Horseshoe Indianapolis will host the seventh annual Indiana Champions Day Saturday, October 24, featuring the state's top Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. The afternoon program will include six Thoroughbred premier races followed by six Quarter Horse stakes with purses exceeding $1.1 million.
"Our Indiana Champions Day has become an exciting afternoon of racing and gives us a chance to place the spotlight on our locally owned and bred horses," added Halstrom. "We work closely with our horsemen's organizations and Breed Development to showcase this day, which is a culmination of our state bred programs during the year. It is a great way to cap off our racing season and celebrate the success of horses who represent our state's racing and breeding programs."
Indiana's richest day of turf racing has been modified. The $150,000 Cleopatra (BT) will now be the featured event Wednesday, May 13 during Caesars Day. It will be joined by two new handicaps, the $55,000 Onesmoothoperator and the $55,000 Corningstone, named after the two richest Indiana breds in state history.
In all, the Thoroughbred schedule includes two Graded Stakes, five Black Type races, and two Listed events. Out of 47 total races on the premier schedule, 38 are reserved for Indiana bred or sired horses to showcase the state's rich and incentive-based breeding program.
For a full list of 2026 premier races for Horseshoe Indianapolis, go to the Website at www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing.
