Due to prolonged winter weather in the area, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will postpone the opening of the barn area for the 2014 live racing season until March 15.

Originally scheduled to open March 8, the additional week will allow the Hoosier Park team to better prepare the backside and facilities for the upcoming season.

Pending the current weather conditions, the track will open for training on March 17 with the first qualifying day on March 19. Qualifiers will follow a Wednesday and Saturday schedule throughout the remainder of the meet, with an estimated start time of 10 a.m.

“We made the decision to move the opening of the barn area early enough so that horsemen can adjust their schedules accordingly,” noted Rich Moore, Hoosier Park’s Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “It has always been our number one priority to have the racing surface in excellent condition upon opening so that the horsemen can move in and hit the ground running, or should I say trotting and pacing.”

Building upon the successes of the 2013 live race meet, Hoosier Park’s 21st season of live harness racing is set to kick off on March 28, 2014. Live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will follow a Friday-Saturday schedule the opening week, a Thursday-Friday-Saturday schedule the second week, and then resume a Tuesday through Saturday schedule throughout the remainder of the meet.

Once again, Hoosier Park will solely host Indiana’s harness racing and offer a 160-day, action-packed stakes season. With a new, daily post time of 5:15 p.m. each night, the live racing season will be conducted through November 15.

(Hoosier Park)