Indiana Derby

The atmosphere around Newtown Paddocks was bubbling over the weekend as the Fasig-Tipton July Selected Yearling Sale prepares to get underway Tuesday in Lexington. A select group of 238 catalogued yearlings, including the much-anticipated first crop by several freshman sires, leads the action at 10 a.m. and will be followed directly after by a further 64 hips highlighted in the Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale. "[This sale] is kind of like opening day," said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. "It's kick off season. It's the beginning of a...

It's a tall order to go from a maiden sprint to a two-turn graded race, but Wathnan Racing's Leading Change (c, 3, Gun Runner--Starship Warpspeed, by Congrats) did it with aplomb, staying unbeaten with a score in Saturday's GIII Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis. "He's a nice colt that's lightly raced, just had the one run," said winning trainer Brad Cox. "Big ask here today. It was definitely a bit of an unknown with going straight from a maiden race to a Grade III for a 3-year-old, running against seasoned...

Wathnan Racing's Leading Change (Gun Runner), a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' debut winner at Churchill Downs June 7, heads straight to the big leagues for Brad Cox in Saturday's GIII Indiana Derby. The $800,000 Keeneland September graduate and half-brother to GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) romped by 6 1/2 lengths in his unveiling going seven furlongs, good for a 92 Beyer Speed Figure. He makes his two-turn debut with Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the irons at Horseshoe Indianapolis. "Before he ran, he's one that had me dreaming...

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association will host a New Owners Seminar to be held Saturday, July 11 at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville, Indiana, the group announced Tuesday. The event, held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in conjunction with Indiana Derby Day, will aim to provide prospective and new Thoroughbred owners with an educational introduction to racehorse ownership while offering participants an opportunity to learn from industry professionals while experiencing one of Indiana's premier racing events. Designed for individuals interested in becoming involved in Thoroughbred ownership, the seminar will cover...

The 123-day season at Horseshoe Indianapolis, which begins Apr. 7, will feature 47 stakes races worth $4.95 million. Highlighting the season is the $300,000 GIII Indiana Derby and $200,000 GIII Indiana Oaks. The pair of graded races will be run on a July 11 card that features total purses over $1.1 million. "We have moved our Indiana Derby back one week this year, since its traditional place landed on July 4 this year," said Horseshoe Indianapolis vice president and general manager of racing Eric Halstrom. "Our Indiana Derby has become...

In winning the $300,000 GIII Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis Saturday, James Bakke and Gerald Isbister's Tip Top Thomas (c, 3, Volatile--Attempt to Name, by Consolidator) may have gotten a little redemption. Last summer and fall, the sky looked like the limit for Tip Top Thomas, who was named a 'TDN Rising Star' in a hard-fought head debut in an August maiden special weight at Saratoga, then came back for a runner-up finish to another 'Rising Star', Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie), in the GI Champagne Stakes. Fourth in his maiden win...

Horseshoe Indianapolis concluded its 124-day season Nov. 14 with a record total domestic handle of $282 million. The new mark eclipses the previous record of $279 million set in 2023. "Once again, we are very proud of our racing program this season and it is the result of a strong team effort between our staff, horsemen, and the Indiana Horse Racing Commission," said Horseshoe Indianapolis Vice President and General Manager of Racing Eric Halstrom. "Everyone contributed to our success this season, which is clearly shown in our wagering results. We...

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) approved 123 days of live racing for the 2025 season at Horseshoe Indianapolis during its regular meeting at the track Thursday, Oct. 24. Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing will mirror the 2024 schedule. There will be six dates dedicated to Quarter Horses exclusively. Racing will begin Tuesday, Apr. 15 and run through Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, with first post set for 2:10 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday. The track's marquee events--the GIII Indiana Derby and GIII Indiana Oaks--are scheduled for Saturday, July 5, with...

Informed Patriot (Hard Spun), just two days removed from a third-place finish in the GIII Indiana Derby, brought the Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale to a crescendo when selling for $1.55 million to Prince Saud bin Salman Abdulaziz. Bloodstock agent Ibrahim Rachid made the winning bid on behalf of the prince and said the sophomore would be aimed at next year's G1 Saudi Cup. Campaigned by J Kirk and Judy Robison and trained by Steve Asmussen, Informed Patriot was purchased for $90,000 as a Keeneland September sale....

Informed Patriot (Hard Spun), third in Saturday's GIII Indiana Derby, has been added to the line-up for the Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale, which will be held Monday in Lexington. He is catalogued as hip 523 and consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. Third in last year's GIII Street Sense Stakes, Informed Patriot opened his sophomore campaign with a third-place effort in the Smarty Jones Stakes. He won the Bathhouse Row Stakes at Oaklawn in April. Racing for J. Kirk and Judy Robison and trained by...

Winner of three of his four starts on the grass last season, including two at the Grade III level, Amerman Racing's Endlessly (Oscar Performance) returns to the grass for the first time as a 3-year-old as the 6-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday's $750,000 GI Belmont Derby. Typically contested over 10 furlongs at Belmont Park, this year's renewal takes place over a mile and three-sixteenths at Aqueduct. Victorious in the GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf and GIII Zuma Beach Stakes, Endlessly was a wide-trip eighth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile...

An additional five horses have been added to the catalogue for next Monday's Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale at the company's Newtown Paddocks in Lexington. Catalogued as hip 520 is the 2-year-old filly Fortuna Mia, who won her maiden by four lengths at Horseshoe Indianapolis at first asking May 13 to become the first winner for her freshman sire Vekoma (by Candy Ride {Arg}) and most recently finished third in a muddy renewal of the Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs June 30. Out of a half-sister to...