Leading up to the Dan Patch at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday, Aug. 12, a teaser was moving around social media about a big announcement during the event. Following the 12th race on the night, the message was delivered by Rick Moore, vice president and general manager of racing, that the Breeders Crown would be returning to Indiana in 2023.
Emily Gaskin, on-air talent for Hoosier Park, emceed the announcement that included Moore, Joe Morris, senior vice president of racing at Caesars Entertainment, Joe Putnam, president of the Indiana Standardbred Association (ISA), and Ernie Gaskin, board member for the Hambletonian Society.
This will be the third time the track has hosted the prestigious event, welcoming it to Indiana in 1997, 2020 and now 2023.
“What a great night of racing here tonight,” said Putnam. “This is just going to be another opportunity in 2023 to showcase our world class racing.”
Gaskin, who is also on the board of the ISA, explained the executive staff of the Hambletonian Society was battling COVID-19 issues and couldn’t be in attendance for the announcement. Gaskin read a note from John Campbell, the executive director, noting how pleased and proud they were to be returning to Indiana and pointed out how great the two previous events have been, including the 2017 that Campbell noted as “historic and set the standard for future events.” Gaskin also noted how excited the organization was to return to Indiana and also gave props to the Indiana breeding program that has produced eight to 10 Breeders Crown winners over the past few years.
“Can you image that Hoosier Park put on such a great show, the national racing association is recognizing us as putting on one of the best events ever in the history of the Breeders’ Crown?” said Gaskin. “What a great, great compliment. This is monumental for the Breeders Crown to be coming back in 2023.”
(Indiana Standardbred Association; Photo of Rick Moore, second from left, joined by Emily Gaskin-Ratcliff, Joe Morris, Joe Putnam and Ernie Gaskin to make the announcement)