Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will close out the 2019 live harness racing season with a Horsemen’s Appreciation Night on Saturday (Nov. 2) and Race Fan Appreciation week beginning on Nov. 5. The activities will be held in partnership with the Indiana Standardbred Association.
“I want to personally thank all horsemen, horsewomen, and the Indiana Standardbred Association for yet another stellar race meet that showcased the racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park to be second to none in North America,” Rick Moore, Vice President and General Manager of Racing, expressed.
Anyone who has a horse racing Nov. 2 will be invited to enjoy a free dinner in the paddock, courtesy of Hoosier Park and the Indiana Standardbred Association. During the post parade for each of the night’s races, the names of the horses’ caretakers will be announced along with the drivers, trainers and owners.
“It is indeed a group effort, and together we put on nightly race cards that were highly competitive and exciting to watch and wager on,” Moore continued. “The Indiana-sired horses have once again shown that they can compete with the very best throughout the country. It is a testament to all that the Indiana harness racing industry has accomplished. We at Harrah’s Hoosier Park wish everyone the best as we head to the offseason and look forward to the 2020 racing season, featuring the return of the Breeders Crown.”
In addition, the caretakers of Saturday’s winning horses will also receive a prize pack. Names of the winning caretakers will be announced and each will receive special recognition during the winner’s circle presentation after each race. Along with honouring the horsepeople, Hoosier Park’s Fright Night activities have been rescheduled to Nov. 2 after weather caused them to be postponed on the original date.
The family-friendly event will include a children’s costume trunk-or-treat with free treats, free pumpkins and decorating station, games, and $2 hotdogs and beers. Back by popular demand, Fright Night at the Races will also feature a horse costume contest. Located in the front paddock, horsemen will dress up their horses to compete for prizes. Guests will have an opportunity to join in on the fun and vote for their favuorite costume by purchasing a ticket. All ticket proceeds will benefit the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, charitable partners of Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
Both Friday (Nov. 1) and Saturday (Nov. 2) hold a post time of 7:10 p.m., and Saturday’s 10-race card will be highlighted by a $20,000 Open Trot.
The final week of live racing at Hoosier Park will be touted as Race Fan Appreciation Week, with $2 drafts at the Pegasus Lounge and buy one get one free appetizers at the Homestretch Clubhouse on Tuesday, $5 desserts in the Homestretch Clubhouse on Wednesday, and the $1,000 Ace of Races finale on Thursday.
On Friday, Nov. 8, Race Fan Appreciation will feature $100 MegaBet drawings from 7 to 9 p.m., and mystery race vouchers to the first 250 guests to Trackside Caesars Rewards beginning at 6:00pm on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule through the end of the meet on Nov. 9.
(Harrah's Hoosier Park)