Eric Halstrom

The 22nd season opener at Horseshoe Indianapolis will begin with a noon first post time Monday, but the racing action will pause at 2:30 p.m. with the Shelbyville racetrack positioned right on the line of totality of the solar eclipse. Patrons will be treated to local entertainment from Lindsey Flannery, Kitt Hammond, Nick Fischer, and Garry Lauziere and The Endless Summer Band. Giveaways include chairs, T-shirts, racing calendars, and viewing glasses, while supplies last, while equine artist Sally Mize will create a live portrait during the afternoon and fans of...

A record $5.03 million has been allocated to the 2024 stakes schedule at Horseshoe Indianapolis, a program highlighted by the $300,000 GIII Indiana Derby and the $200,000 GIII Indiana Oaks, each to be contested Saturday, July 6, 2024. Some 42 stakes will be offered over the course of the season, which gets off to a unique beginning on Monday, Apr. 8 to coincide with Total Solar Eclipse Day. The afternoon's features include the appropriately named Dark Side of the Moon and Total Eclipse of the Heart handicaps for Indiana-bred and...

Team members and racing fans at Horseshoe Indianapolis participated in the third annual Veteran's Day event Nov. 10 to raise proceeds for the Hoosier Veterans and Families, Inc. (HVAF) of Indiana, according to a release by the track Monday. The event featured several ways to raise funding and awareness for veterans including naming each race in honor of a veteran associated in some way to Horseshoe Indianapolis. Special saddle towels were also awarded to veterans and family members honored during the racing program. Additionally, a Veteran's Day Pick 5 Challenge...

Horseshoe Indianapolis has moved up its first post Wednesday to 10 a.m. and has moved its entire Thursday card to next Monday due to excessive heat warnings for Central Indiana this week. "Safety for our equine athletes and all the individuals who work outdoors during our racing program always comes first at Horseshoe Indianapolis," said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. "After reviewing weather predictions for this week that includes excessive heat warnings, we want to be proactive and get the necessary changes in place. We wanted...

The Grayson Grass Challenge--a five-week handicapping contest to raise money for the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, returns to Horseshoe Indianapolis for the fourth time beginning Aug. 1 and continuing through Aug. 31. Participants in the challenge submit selections on two specified races held each week at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Each contestant will be given a $500 bankroll provided by Horseshoe Indianapolis from which participants can make win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta wagers. At the end of the five weeks, all remaining bankrolls, plus winnings from the contestants will go...

Horseshoe Indianapolis is set to open for its 21st season of live racing on Tuesday, Apr. 18 with a 10-race card consisting of nine Thoroughbred races and one for Quarter Horses. Racing will be conducted for 123 days through Nov. 17 on a Monday-through-Thursday schedule with a handful of Saturday night cards for Thoroughbreds only added beginning Jun. 3 and concluding Sept. 2. "We have a lot to look forward to in 2023," Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing, said. "Our barn area is nearly full already....

Horseshoe Indianapolis will eliminate the Jackpot Pick 6 from its wagering format in 2023 and will add an additional Pick 5 to its menu. "Our team stays engaged with customers year-round and there's no question that the single most requested change from many of our best players was to eliminate the Jackpot Straight Fire 6," said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. "We have listened and are taking the Jackpot Pick 6 off the wagering format in 2023. It will be replaced with an additional Pick 5...

Highlighted by the $300,000 GIII Indiana Derby July 8, Horseshoe Indianapolis has finalized a 2023 racing season featuring 38 black-type events worth $4.75 million. Eight stakes worth $1.1 million are slated for the Indiana Derby Day card, including the GIII Indiana Oaks. "Each year, Indiana Derby Day continues to grow and sets new handle records," said Vice President and General Manager of Racing Eric Halstrom. "Our racing office staff works very hard to assemble top quality fields for each of these stakes. With all the activities surrounding the event, Indiana...

Eric Halstrom is vice president and general manager of Caesar's Horseshoe Indianapolis, a position he's held since 2020. He previously served in several executive positions in horse racing, including vice president of racing at Canterbury Park, vice president and general manager of racing at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, assistant director of racing at Prairie Meadows, and vice president of operations at Harrah's Louisiana Downs. Halstrom, who graduated from the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program, is a native of Bloomington, MN, and is a die-hard fan of...

Tony Martinez has been named the new track superintendent at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Martinez is set to replace current track superintendent Roy Smith, who announced his retirement at the end of the Indiana track's 2022 season. Martinez has been involved in track maintenance for more than 30 years and brings more than 15 years of experience as a track superintendent. The third generation track man has expertise in all surfaces and is especially know for his work in fine grading, track moisture evaluations, extensive harrowing, and soil composition. He has been...

Indiana Grand Racing & Casino will be hosting a "Road to Louisville" contest beginning in early 2022 and offering up to $50,000 in prize money. The 18-week contest begins Jan. 8 and continues to the Kentucky Derby May 7. The winner of the contest will have the option to purchase a yearling package at the 2022 ITOBA Fall Sale valued at $30,000, courtesy of the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (ITOBA) along with Indiana Grand. "Road to Louisville" is open to players both online and on-track at Indiana Grand...

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...