Officials with Hoosier Park have released the details of the track’s Derby Weekend festivities.
Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, Ind. is set to host its annual ‘Let’s Talk Derby’ celebration, which includes a live simulcast of Churchill Down’s 143rd running of the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 5, and the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 6, as well as a Kentucky Derby $10,000 Mega Bet drawing, hat promotion, giveaways, drink specials, and more.
Advanced wagering on the Kentucky Oaks, a $1 Million Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies, will begin on Thursday, May 4 at 1 p.m. The Kentucky Oaks Day race card begins at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 5 with the Oaks set for Race 11, going off at approximately 6:12 p.m.
Advanced wagering on the Kentucky Derby, a $2 Million Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds and the first leg of the Triple Crown, will begin on Friday, May 5 at 1 p.m. The Kentucky Derby Day race card begins at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 6 with the Derby set for Race 12, going off at approximately 6:46 p.m.
Highlighting the Let’s Talk Derby weekend at Hoosier Park is the $10,000 Mega Bet drawing on Saturday, May 6. Guests over the age of 21 can enter the drawing between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. At 5:15 p.m., the winning guest will get to place a $10,000 Win Bet on the Kentucky Derby race, offering an opportunity to win a significant amount of money on the race.
As a part of the Kentucky Derby festivities, Hoosier Park will host a Stella Artois Chalice giveaway on Saturday, May 6 while supplies last. Stella Artois bottles are available for $4.00 and the collector glass is free with purchase. Guests at Hoosier Park can also enjoy a variety of traditional Kentucky Derby weekend favourites, including the Oaks Lily and the Kentucky Derby Mint Julep signature drinks in a collector glass – available for purchase for $8.50.
Additionally, the first 1,250 Club Centaur members to visit Club Centaur in the Casino will receive a rose bush starting at 10 a.m. while supplies last. And, Hoosier Park social media fans that post a photo on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter wearing a Derby hat will receive $5 in Free Slot Play.
“Kentucky Derby Day is one of the most anticipated days of horse racing in the entire world,” said Rick Moore, Hoosier Park’s vice president and general manager of racing. “As a part of Hoosier Park tradition, we’re giving away a $10,000 Mega Bet on the Kentucky Derby to one guest. With the right luck, the winner could walk away with one of the biggest racing wins in Hoosier Park history.”
Live harness racing at Hoosier Park will start at its regularly scheduled post time of 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 5 with a special, adjusted post time of 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 6. An array of official Derby merchandise will also be available for purchase in Shelby’s Gifts.
Hoosier Park Racing & Casino offers a full simulcast race schedule daily, and live harness racing starting at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday through Saturday now through Nov. 17. The season is highlighted by the 34th edition of the Breeders Crown, harness racing’s championship event valued at $6 million, on Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28.
(Hoosier Park)