Coming off a silver anniversary year, Harrah’s Hoosier Park is set to open its 26th season of world-renowned harness racing with a special Fan Appreciation Celebration on Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30.

An opening night 14-race card, exclusive giveaways, contests, promotions, and free entertainment will highlight the weekend of racing.

“As soon as our athletes cross the finish line in the last race of the year, we hit the ground running for the upcoming season.” said Rick Moore, Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s vice president and general manager of racing. “We’ve planned our 2019 season with the mentality that everything has to be bigger, better, and bolder. We have a great weekend, and season ahead, and can’t wait to welcome back our race fans to celebrate another year of championship racing.”

As a part of Fan Appreciation Weekend, the first 500 guests to visit Trackside Caesars Rewards on Friday, March 29 starting at 4:30 p.m. will receive an official 2019 live racing hooded sweatshirt. ‘Fan-tastic Fridays’ will also return to Harrah’s Hoosier Park with $1 draft beers, $1 hot dogs and $1 live racing programs starting at 5 p.m. In addition, guests will be welcomed to enter the ‘Bet Against The Boss’ handicapping contest for a chance to win up to $500.

Both Friday and Saturday will feature $100 MegaBet drawings, where five winners will be drawn each night to place a $100 win bet on a selected race on the program. Guests can enter to win at any Trackside Rewards kiosk from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Winners will be announced at 7:15 p.m. each night and winners must be present to win.

Friday night will also feature a $20,000 Shamrock N Roll giveaway, with drawings between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Building upon the popular ‘Family-Fun’ themed activities and events started last season, ‘Family Fun Saturdays’ will return to Harrah’s Hoosier Park this Saturday and continue throughout the entirety of the live racing season. Activities will include live entertainment, games and winner’s circle giveaways. The official Hoosier Park mascot, Hoosier Buddy, will be on hand to entertain and excite.

Saturday night will also feature the Mow Money giveaway finale. Guests can enter to win their share of $25,000 in free play and John Deere prizes, with drawings between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Free entertainment in The Terrace Showroom will top off each night with Stella Luna and The Satellites performing at the conclusion of live racing on Friday and Password Reset performing at the conclusion of live racing on Saturday.

The 2019 live racing season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park will feature 160 days of live racing and will be headlined the $300,000 Dan Patch Stakes on Friday, August 9. The Dan Patch Stakes will serve as Indiana’s richest harness race with an estimated purse of $300,000, which annually attracts the top older pacers in North America.

Live racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will follow a Friday and Saturday schedule the opening week, a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday schedule the second week and then resume a Tuesday through Saturday schedule through the end of the meet on Nov. 9.

(Harrah’s Hoosier Park)