The Indiana Grand Casino and Indiana Downs in Shelbyville recently was renamed Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. Officials at Centaur Gaming, which also owns the harness racing-only Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, said rebranding the racetrack and casino into one property will help the company offer guests a more entertaining and integrated racing and gaming experience.
Racing publications will continue to refer to the racetrack as the Indiana Grand Race Course. The course now offers only Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing.
The Indiana Grand Racing & Casino name and logo will replace all current Indiana Downs mentions and signage. The property’s simulcast television screen artwork also will be reworked with a black-and-gold color scheme and updated graphics.
Last year the Indiana Horse Racing Commission approved a seven-year gaming revenue distribution agreement that will allow Centaur to refinance its debt and invest $36.5 million in improvements at its two tracks. Centaur President Rod Ratcliff said Indiana Grand Race Course will receive major racing surface improvements, upgraded and new dormitories, 100 new Quarter Horse stalls and upgrades to the clubhouse and grandstand.
For the 2014 season, which will open with a gala festival-themed weekend on Friday, May 9, Indiana Grand Race Course will offer a mix of afternoon and evening racing. The meet will open with racing at 2:05 p.m. EDT Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and a first post time of 5:05 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Tuesday racing at 2:05 p.m. will be added July 15.
Indiana Grand was awarded 114 thoroughbred dates and six quarter horse programs for this year. Last year the track raced the same schedule, which produced a 5.7 percent increase in total parimutuel wagering. Last year thoroughbred purses totaled $26.93 million. Average daily purses came in at $236,248, and field size averaged 8.60 horses per race.
