Indiana Grand Racing and Casino

Indiana Grand Racing and Casino has implemented a new audio and visual system for the track's stewards which will allow Senior State Steward Eric Smith to provide a live, televised explanation from the steward's room on how officials made their decision during an infraction. "We feel providing an explanation directly from the stewards is a great way to inform fans watching and wagering on our product," said Eric Halstrom, Indiana Grand's vice President and general manager of racing. "They will now be able explain how they came to a conclusion...

The 2021 racing season at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino will feature an expanded stakes schedule of 40 races worth over $3.65 million. The stakes schedule is highlighted by the $300,000 GIII Indiana Derby, which will be held at mid-week for the second time when it is run July 7. That Wednesday card's six-stakes lineup also includes the $200,000 GIII Indiana Oaks. "We moved Indiana Derby Day to Wednesday in 2020 due to crowd restrictions and other safety protocols in place due to COVID-19," said Eric Halstrom, vice president and...

Indiana Grand Racing & Casino made a $5,000 donation to its local division of Meals on Wheels, which provides meals to the homebound in the Shelbyville area. "Without the services Meals on Wheels provides, many individuals would either go hungry or would not follow appropriate dietary needs," said Indiana Grand vice president of marketing Elena Lisle. "To think of someone not receiving this service really tugs at your heart. We see their van frequently traveling around town delivering meals and we want to ensure this service remains in place for...

Indiana Grand Racing & Casino recently donated $5,000 to the Cancer Association of Shelby County, which provides assistance to patients currently fighting cancer. The Cancer Association of Shelby County was unable to hold its major fundraiser this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. The donation, part of Indiana Grand's year-end initiative to give back to the local community, was made during a special presentation at the track. "We have many team members that have battled cancer in the past or are currently dealing with the disease," said Elena Lisle, Indiana Grand's...

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission has approved two additional 2020 racing dates for Indiana Grand at their regular monthly meeting Thursday, Oct. 1. The two dates will be included on the final week of racing, increasing the schedule to 92 days for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse action and a total of 96 days overall, adding in four days dedicated to all-Quarter Horse racing. The two additional dates added to the schedule will be Monday, Nov. 16 and Thursday, Nov. 19, which will become the new closing date for the 18th...

Several entities headed by the City of Shelbyville are working diligently to revitalize downtown Shelbyville, Indiana. Indiana Grand stepped in with a $25,000 donation so Blue River Community Foundation could provide a new community space in the downtown area. "Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF) is thrilled to have the support of Indiana Grand through this generous gift to allow us to expand on the alley activation project on East Washington Street," said Jennifer Jones, executive director of BRCF. "We appreciate their recognition of the importance of public art, invigorating our...

Each year, team members at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino participate in numerous activities to raise funds for Shelby County United Fund For You (SCUFFY). With disruptions to business and restrictions in place due to COVID-19, many of the events were not held and have affected the overall fundraising efforts. As a result, Indiana Grand made a $20,000 donation to the organization Tuesday, Aug. 11. "This campaign season has been a roller coaster," said Alecia Gross, executive director of SCUFFY. "The community has been fabulous to step up and support...

Following Sunday's announcement that Lone Star Park was suspending live racing indefinitely due to coronavirus concerns, Indiana Grand Racing and Casino announced it was halting the transfer of all jockeys, exercise riders and grooms from the Texas facility to its racing program. A statement released Monday by the Indiana track read, "Effective immediately Monday, July 6, 2020, Indiana Grand will follow CDC guidelines and will not allow anyone from the above racing category currently working and racing at Lone Star onto the property due to potential exposure risks. All individuals...

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission approved cuts to the state's Thoroughbred breeding program during a virtual meeting last week. With casino closures and the potential for reduced revenues once reopened, funding available for the state's breeding program decreased significantly. The new projected revenue is estimated to be around $8.2 million, according to a release from the racing commission. Purses for Indiana-bred stakes have been reduced across the board, with the six Indiana Signature Stakes, typically worth $150,000, reduced to $100,000, and the other 22 restricted Indiana-bred and Indiana-sired stakes to...

Indiana Grand Racing and Casino will offer 37 stakes worth a record $4.65 million in 2020. The stakes schedule is headlined by the $500,000 GIII Indiana Derby which will be run July 11. The Derby card will include six stakes worth over $1.1 million.  The card will also feature the $200,000 GIII Indiana Oaks. The Warrior Veterans S. will be run as the Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial for the first time in 2020. The $100,000 race was renamed in honor of the former vice president and general manager at Indiana...