Hoosier Park
Encyclopedia
Hoosier Park is a thoroughbred
and standardbred racetrack located in Anderson, Indiana
, United States.
In 2009, the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred
racetracks in North America
. Of the top Ten, Hoosier Park was ranked #4.
announced plans to purchase Indiana's only pari-mutuel license from businessman Louis Carlo and open a racetrack on the site of the land donated by Cook. It was the first racetrack outside Kentucky owned by Churchill Downs since 1939. In February 1994 a contract was signed for the construction of Hoosier Park. The construction of the facility cost approximately $13 million dollars. On September 1, 1994 the track finally opened. A crowd of 7,633 came to the grand opening of the standardbred season. The track announces plans to open four off-track betting facilities in Indiana. On October 7, 1995 the first Indiana Derby
was run.
Churchill Downs sold Hoosier Park in April 2007 for 8.2 million dollars to Centaur Group.
Legislation was passed shortly after April 2007 to permit slot machines at both tracks, essentially converting them to what is called a "racino
". Both tracks were legislated to get a 55 percent share of the estimated $325 million the 2,000 slots at each of the state's two tracks were expected to generate annually. This would also increase the purse sizes of the races.
Hoosier Park Casino opened to the public on June 2, 2008.
; it was later annexed into nearby Shelbyville, Indiana
.
Competition eventually took its toll on Hoosier Park. When Indiana Downs opened, Hoosier Park was forced to split the state subsidy granted when the state had to issue two licenses. Also for the first time, Hoosier Park faced competition; both tracks are approximately 40 minutes apart and are about 15 minutes outside of Indianapolis
.
Since 2003, both tracks have lost approximately $20 million combined.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
and standardbred racetrack located in Anderson, Indiana
Anderson, Indiana
Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Indiana, United States. It is the principal city of the Anderson, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses Madison county. Anderson is the headquarters of the Church of God and home of Anderson University, which is...
, United States.
In 2009, the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racetracks in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Of the top Ten, Hoosier Park was ranked #4.
History
In 1990, Virgil E. Cook, a prominent local businessman and longtime resident of Anderson, Indiana donated 110 acre (0.4451546 km²) of commercial real estate to the city for the sole purpose of developing a pari-mutuel racing facility. In 1992, Churchill Downs IncorporatedChurchill Downs Incorporated
Churchill Downs Incorporated is the parent company of Churchill Downs. The company owns several other thoroughbred and standardbred racetracks.-History:...
announced plans to purchase Indiana's only pari-mutuel license from businessman Louis Carlo and open a racetrack on the site of the land donated by Cook. It was the first racetrack outside Kentucky owned by Churchill Downs since 1939. In February 1994 a contract was signed for the construction of Hoosier Park. The construction of the facility cost approximately $13 million dollars. On September 1, 1994 the track finally opened. A crowd of 7,633 came to the grand opening of the standardbred season. The track announces plans to open four off-track betting facilities in Indiana. On October 7, 1995 the first Indiana Derby
Indiana Derby
The Indiana Derby is an American thoroughbred horse race run annually since 1995 at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana. It is the racetrack's signature event offering its highest purse at $500,000....
was run.
Churchill Downs sold Hoosier Park in April 2007 for 8.2 million dollars to Centaur Group.
Legislation was passed shortly after April 2007 to permit slot machines at both tracks, essentially converting them to what is called a "racino
Racino
A racino is a combined race track and casino. In some cases, the gambling is limited to slot machines, but many locations are beginning to include table games such as blackjack, poker, and roulette....
". Both tracks were legislated to get a 55 percent share of the estimated $325 million the 2,000 slots at each of the state's two tracks were expected to generate annually. This would also increase the purse sizes of the races.
Hoosier Park Casino opened to the public on June 2, 2008.
Competition
In 2001, Indiana Downs became the second horse racing track in the state. Initially located in Fairland, IndianaFairland, Indiana
Fairland is a town in Shelby County, Indiana, United States. The population was 315 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Fairland is located at ....
; it was later annexed into nearby Shelbyville, Indiana
Shelbyville, Indiana
Shelbyville is a city in Addison Township, Shelby County, Indiana, United States. The population was 17,951 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Shelby County...
.
Competition eventually took its toll on Hoosier Park. When Indiana Downs opened, Hoosier Park was forced to split the state subsidy granted when the state had to issue two licenses. Also for the first time, Hoosier Park faced competition; both tracks are approximately 40 minutes apart and are about 15 minutes outside of Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
.
Since 2003, both tracks have lost approximately $20 million combined.
Racing
The track conducts the following thoroughbred stakes:- The City Of Anderson Stakes
- The Richmond Stakes
- The Indiana Breeders' Cup OaksIndiana Breeders' Cup OaksThe Indiana Oaks is a Thoroughbred horse race run annually in the early fall at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana. Open to three-year-old fillies, the Grade II event is set at a distance of a mile and one sixteenth on dirt. The race offers a purse of $200,000 added...
(Grade II) - The Indiana DerbyIndiana DerbyThe Indiana Derby is an American thoroughbred horse race run annually since 1995 at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana. It is the racetrack's signature event offering its highest purse at $500,000....
(Grade II) - The Hillsdale Stakes
- The Gus Grissom Stakes
- Hoosier Silver Cup Stakes - Filly Division
- Hoosier Silver Cup Stakes
- The Merrillville Stakes
- The Brickyard Stakes
- The Miss Indiana Stakes
- The Indiana Futurity
- The Frances Slocum Stakes
- The Michael G. Schaefer Mile Stakes
- The Too Much Coffee Stakes
- The Indiana Stallion Stakes (Filly Division)
- The Indiana Stallion Stakes