Fan Appreciation Week To Kick Off Meet

Published: March 30, 2013 01:39 am EDT

The stage is set for a whole new chapter in Hoosier Park racing with the advent of one breed, one track.

The 20th season of live racing consists of 160 days of all harness racing and will commence with an action-packed 12-race card on April 2.

With more than 120 entries flooding the box for opening night, the card will feature four legs of the Miss Windfall Series. With three $7,500 legs and a $15,000 final, the series is open to three and four-year-old, Indiana-sired, fillies and mares that are non-winners of $7,500 lifetime.

The start of the meet marks the commencement of many exciting promotions geared to both casual and serious racing fans. The opening week of live racing, labeled “fan appreciation week.” is all about the fans. Hoosier Park, in partnership with the Indiana Standardbred Association, will be offering dining specials, wagering vouchers, and an iPad mini giveaway. Patrons are also encouraged to enter the handicapping contests that will be taking place weekly throughout the entirety of the meet.

Fridays at Hoosier Park, dubbed “Fan-tastic Fridays,” will feature $1 beers, $1 hot dogs and $1 live racing programs starting at 5 p.m. In addition, guests will be welcomed to enter the ‘Beat the Big Guy’ promotion for a chance to win up to $500.

Building on the successful “Family-Fun” themed activities and events started last season, Hoosier Park will continue “Family Fun Saturdays.” Activities will include a bounce house, face painting, jugglers, live entertainment, games and winner’s circle giveaways. The official Hoosier Park mascot, Hoosier Buddy, will be on hand to entertain and excite.

On the track, the racing competition is starting to take shape with the return of 2012’s leading driver champion, Trace Tetrick. Tetrick took home top honours at Hoosier Park in 2012 with 153 trips to the winner’s circle and is back seeking his second leading title. Hoosier Park’s two-time leading trainer and North America’s current leading trainer Ron Burke has also returned to Indiana with a powerhouse stable headed by assistant trainer Jamie Rucker. The Burke stable amassed over $655,000 in purse earnings in 2012 with 46 wins, twice his closest competitor.

North America’s fastest pacers will return to the Anderson track on Saturday, May 25 for the 20th installment of the Dan Patch Invitational Pace. Hoosier Park’s signature event touts a purse of $250,000 and will be accompanied by many exciting promotions for racing fans.

“I can’t wait to get this season kicked off,” said Rick Moore, Hoosier Park’s general manager of racing. “Here at Hoosier Park we pride ourselves on bringing our guests the best in entertainment we can offer. Our dedicated team has worked hard in the off season to 'set a new standard.' I hope our guests will enjoy all the excitement as much as we enjoy bringing it to them.”

Hoosier Park will follow a Tuesday through Saturday live racing schedule through November 9, with a 5:30 p.m. eastern post time daily.

(Hoosier Park)

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