Hoosier Park Racing & Casino opened its 19th season of standardbred racing in front of a packed house of racing fans on Tuesday, March 27

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On-track handle was up 94 per cent from the first Tuesday of the 2011 standardbred meet with one additional race on the card. Export handle also saw some positivity, as it was up 15 per cent. The total handle for the night was up an impressive 19 per cent from the previous year.

“There is a level of excitement among Hoosier Park team members and horsemen that participate here like I have never seen before,” vice-president and general manager of racing Brian Elmore said of the night. “I am certain that excitement will carry over to our race fans. One night does not make a meet, but I have no doubt that as this year unfolds, Hoosier Park will be recognized throughout the country as the facility that does things right.”

Four divisions of the Miss Windfall Series were co-featured on the 13-race card, with Royal Passion and driver Jason Dillander posting the fastest division of the night in 1:57.3.

Dillander kicked off the season with a bang, as he posted five wins on the night.

Hoosier Park will follow a Tuesday-Saturday schedule of live racing through July 14 with a 5:30 p.m. (EST) daily first-race post time.

(With files from Hoosier)