SHELBYVILLE, Ind.; – Dec. 18, 2024 – Below is a list of the top five racing stories, quotes and a timeline prepared by the race marketing department at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The 123-day racing season was conducted from Tuesday, April 8 through Thursday, Nov. 14.
 
 
TOP FIVE STORIES
 

1. Record Handle again in 2024

 
For the fourth straight year, record handle was recorded by Horseshoe Indianapolis. A total of $282 million was wagered on racing compared to $279 million in 2023. The final tally does not include international money which is anticipated to boost the final total to more than $320 million. A total of 13 days showed handle of $3 million or more.
 
A total of 1,191 races were conducted with 971 dedicated to Thoroughbred racing. Average number of starters per race was 7.9, which is higher than the national trend. A total of 237 turf races were held in 2024.
 
For Quarter Horse racing, a total of 220 races were conducted compared to 215 in 2023. Average number of starters per race was 8.87, also trending above national figures.
 
 
 

2. Dragoon Guard wins Indiana Derby

 
Dragoon Guard rallied home as the winner Saturday, July 5 to win the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby. Guided by Florent Geroux, the win by Dragoon Guard gave trainer Brad Cox back to back wins in the event, paired with Verifying, who won the 2023 edition.
 
Dragoon Guard became only the second grey horse to win the Indiana Derby in 30 years. He joins 2016 winner Cupid as a winner of Indiana’s biggest horse race. Dragoon also remains undefeated in three starts for 2024 and three for four overall. The sophomore colt more than doubled his career earnings in the race and now has more than $335,000 on his card.
 
The Indiana Derby capped off another record setting day, with total handle surging over the $8.147 million mark, compared to the record setting day for the 2023 Indiana Derby at $7.98 million. Supported by a visibly larger crowd, more than $1.1 million was wagered on the Derby alone during the 12-race program.
 
 
 

3. Total Solar Eclipse comes to Indiana

 
Horseshoe Indianapolis was located on the path of totality for the Total Solar Eclipse, which came through Shelbyville Monday, April 8. The track was one of three on the direct line and the only track to encompass the event with racing both before and after the phenomena.
 
Six Thoroughbred races were held prior to the Eclipse, with a break filled in by live entertainment by The Endless Summer Band along with numerous giveaways. Following the Total Solar Eclipse at 3:04 p.m., live entertainment resumed until Quarter Horse racing could be conducted to close out the unique day of racing.
 
More than 4,000 people attended the event to witness history. The next Total Solar Eclipse doesn’t return to the United States until Aug. 23, 2044, but will not cover Indiana.
 
 
Page 2 – Recap of 2024 Racing Season at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024
 
 
 

4. Quarter Horse racing offers two Grade 3 events

 
Indiana Quarter Horse racing boasted its first Restricted Grade 3 events during the meet, kicking off with a win by AP Political Patriot in the $212,170 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Futurity Saturday, Aug. 31. Ridden by Saul Lopez, the EOS A Political Win gelding was making his second career start. He is a homebred owned, bred and trained by Oscar Preciado, who campaigned the two-year-old’s mother, Shes a Real Patriot, to his first training victory.
 
AP Political Patriot was joined by the WRs Mynameisrip as the winner in the Restricted Grade 3 $235,600 Miss Roxie Little Futurity Saturday, Oct. 26. Trained by Natasha Perez for Gwen and Randy Williams’ Racing, the freshman gelding was guided under the wire by Juan Marquez.
 
The Miss Roxie Little Futurity offered its largest purse in the 16-year history of the race. Both AP Political Patriot and WRs Mynameisrip’s silks will be represented on the jockey statues around the winner’s circle, honoring the track’s Graded Stakes winners. The display also includes the Grade 3 Indiana Derby and Oaks winners for Thoroughbred racing.
 
 

5. Demolisher turns in undefeated season

 
Demolisher from the Cipriano Contreras Stable was a perfect five for five in his career following his win in the $150,000 To Much Coffee Handicap during Hoosier Day Wed. Oct. 2. Unraced at two, the son of Dominus also died as a foal after contracting R Equi pneumonia. Thanks to the efforts of local vets near the home of Ken and Resia Ayres, the foal recovered and is now showing his talents on the track.
 
Demolisher, who is a son of the Ayres race mare Maggie Sue, boosted his career earnings to more than $300,000 with his win in the 27^th running of the To Much Coffee, named in honor of Indiana’s standout gelding from the 1990s. Manny Esquivel rode him in all five victories for the year.
 
 
 
MEMORABLE QUOTES
 
Horseshoe Indianapolis’ Senior Vice President Trent McIntosh, on the donation of a shuttle bus to Shelby Parks and Recreation: “We are happy to be part of something that will benefit a large number of individuals in Shelbyville and Shelby County. The donation of this shuttle bus will provide a useful service to the Shelby Parks Department, which touches so many lives in this area. This bus will allow the Parks staff to give many of the kids in their program opportunities to visit and take part in activities they haven’t been able to participate in before. We are proud to have such a significant partnership in our community.”
 
Owner-Breeder Ken Ayres on the life saving efforts for his horse, Demolisher, who was undefeated in five starts in 2024: “He (Demolisher) was born in Indiana, and we brought him back to Kentucky. He caught a rare disease called R-Equi pneumonia (virus that attacks foals). Demolisher was within 24 hours of us having to put him down. The vets stayed up with him all night to give him his meds. They saved him. They thought if they could get him to the next morning, and he could go off the oxygen, he would be able to survive.”
 
Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing, on starting the season off during the Total Solar Eclipse: “What a great way to kick off our racing season. We felt tying our season opener to the Total Solar Eclipse would be a unique way to showcase our racing program while providing a fun afternoon of activities during such a monumental day for Central Indiana. Our facility sat right on the path of totality, so it was a popular area to watch the Eclipse.”
 
 
 
 
Page 3 – Recap of 2024 Racing Season at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024
 
 
 
Brad Cox, who won his second straight title in the Indiana Derby with Dragoon Guard: “I thought Florent did a good job of getting him away and getting him involved and taking control of the race. Look, based off pedigree and his physical, he’s bred to be a two-turn, mile-and-an-eighth and farther type horse. He stepped up today in his first start around two turns and ran well. He’s obviously really stepped up this year going 3-for-3. We’re excited about him long term.”
 
Quarter Horse Owner Randy Williams on his win in the Grade 3 Miss Roxie Little Futurity with WRs Mynameisrip: “He’s quite the racehorse now. He is from the same family as (WRs) Valentino. This horse seems to be the new Valentino. He came out of the gate like a bullet. We’ve been close to winning these big races here in the past, but never won one of these. We’ve won a lot of money in these races, but what’s more important to Gwen and I are the friendships we are creating. Everybody’s so proud of this horse. It makes it special.”
 
ITOBA Vice President Jeri Harmon on the organization’s donation during PDJF Night: “We are honored and proud to support the jockeys who ride our horses. These jockeys are part of our business, so being able to assist with such a worthy cause is important to all the owners and breeders in our organization.”
 
Vice President and General Manager Eric Halstrom on the partnership with Dan and Leigh Dakich for the bicycle donations to Shelby County kids: “We are proud to partner with Dan and Leigh (Dakich) for this worthwhile program. Being able to assist kids in our immediate area that may not otherwise have access to a bicycle is an amazing way for us to give back to the community. These bicycles provide kids with the opportunity to have something of their own that in some cases, becomes their mode of transportation.”
 
Quarter Horse Trainer Oscar Preciado, an engineering graduate of Notre Dame, following his win with AP Political Patriot in the Grade 3 QHRAI SSA Futurity: "This horse’s mother (Shes a Real Patriot) was the first horse I ever trained and gave me my first training win. So, she is very special to us. Then, she was our first broodmare. We name all our homebreds with ‘AP’ to honor my mother (Araceli) and my father (Alberto) Preciado. It now also represents my daughter, Ariella."
 
Horseplayer and now horse owner Tony Bradshaw, following his win with Jailhouse Justice, the horse he purchased from the ITOBA Sale in 2022 as part of his prize for winning the Road to Louisville contest: “This is a dream come true. I’ve followed horse racing all the way back to when I was a kid, going to the track with my grandfather. This is a thrill to be in the winner’s circle. I love turf racing and that’s one reason I chose Tony (Granitz) as my trainer. I never dreamed we would have a turf horse, but he has found his place now on the turf.”
 
Trainer Grant Forster on winning the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks with Chatalas: “Just really glad she broke well. When she made the lead, I felt really good. She’s got a lovely long stride. When she got into that stride down the backside, it looked like she was just cruising. Turning for home, it looked like she lost the lead there for a little bit, but she showed some real fight.”
 
Director of Racing Chris Polzin on three Indiana Quarter Horses receiving nominations for year-end AQHA awards: “It’s very rewarding to see three Indiana horses honored as finalists for AQHA Racing Champion awards. It’s great recognition for our local trainers and our state racing program.”
 
 
2024 RACING TIMELINE
 
01/25    The 2024 Thoroughbred Premier Racing Schedule is released with a record $5 million in purses slated over 42 events.
02/03    A “First Chance, Last Chance” NHC Qualifier is held, drawing 108 entrants. Anthony Garafalo was the overall winner of $4,000. The top five places received cash prizes and a seat to their choice of the 2024 or 2025 NHC Final.
02/12    The Indiana Quarter Horse stakes schedule is released, boasting its first two Restricted Grade 3 events, the QHRAI SSA Futurity and the Miss Roxie Little Futurity. A total of 28 stakes were offered with purses exceeding $2 million.
Page 4 – Recap of 2024 Racing Season at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024
 
 
 
03/03    More than 600 horses are already on property as a result of winter training to officially start the training season.
03/17    Mike Gillum of Fishers, Ind. was crowned 2024 National Horseplayer of the Year as the overall winner of the NHC Finals in Las Vegas, topping 765 of the country’s best handicappers for the honor. Gillum qualified for the Finals at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
04/08    Horseshoe Indianapolis hosts the only racing program in the nation surrounding the Total Solar Eclipse. Located on the line of totality, a large crowd enjoyed six Thoroughbred racing prior to pausing for the eclipse, then returning for two Quarter Horse races. Nearly $1.8 million is wagered on the abbreviated racing card. Joyous Lady from the Randy Klopp barn was piloted to victory in the first race of the meet by new Indiana jockey Evin Roman.
05/04    Horseshoe Indianapolis records its first $3 million wagering day of the meet as racing ran alongside the Kentucky Derby program from Churchill Downs. More than 40 contestants were featured in the annual KY Derby Hat Contest with John Miller of Madison, Ind. taking home the top prize of $300.
05/06    The new portable turf rail is unveiled to kick off turf racing. The rail can accommodate more repositioning on the track to facilitate more even usage of the entire turf course.
05/08    Longtime table games dealer Marianne O’Neill was crowned AQHA East Level 1 Championship winner in the Halter Class with her horse, Suddenly Im a Diva. O’Neill rides in honor of her daughter Erin who passed away in a fatal accident in 2016.
05/13    The new Turf Pick 3 wager is unveiled as the Horseshoe Hat Trick, offered on three turf races during the day.
05/15    More than five inches of rain inundates the immediate area, causing the cancellation of the entire racing program for Caesars Day, including the Caesars and Horseshoe Indianapolis, Indiana’s richest turf races. Both races are later rescheduled to Saturday, July 13.
05/22    Rescheduled from Caesars Day, the Swifty and Sagamore premier events helps catapult wagering to nearly $3.3 million, the largest handle thus far of the meet.
05/20    Total wagering tops $4.6 million, which is the highest handle for any track in the country for the day. It also marks a new record for most single day handle in one day outside of the Indiana Derby.
06/08    Dan and Leigh Dakich provide 11 bicycles to kids in Shelby County through their “Dakich Cycles for the City” program during the second annual Horseshoe Hysteria.
06/10    Horseplayer Tony Bradshaw was trackside to watch his horse, Jailhouse Justice win a turf race. The horse was part of the prize for Bradshaw, who was the 2022 Road to Louisville winner and purchased the horse out of the ITOBA Sale as a yearling.
07/05    Jimmy McNerney, local announcer and racing analyst, was a last minute entry into the first of two NHC Qualifiers but came home the winner in the first session. Tim Stupka of Sioux Falls, S.D. won the qualifier on Saturday. A total of seven players advanced to the NHC Finals in Las Vegas in March 2025.
07/06    The 30^th running of the Grade 3 Indiana Derby highlights the card and brings in the largest handle in track history, topping $8.1 million. Dragoon Guard and Florent Geroux provide Trainer Brad Cox with his second straight Derby title while Chatalas, guided by Antonio Fresu in his Indiana riding debut, won the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks.
07/13    Team Puerto Rico won their fourth straight title in the 10^th annual World Jockey Challenge. More than 30 jockeys competed for their home countries in the evening card that highlighted the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund with numerous donations to the cause.
07/20    Drinkinatacartelbar won the Jaguar Rocket Futurity for trainer Tony Cunningham and co-owner Brian Elmore during Quarter Horse Stakes Day
07/31    The fifth annual Grayson Grass Challenge begins with internationally known handicappers making wagers on turf racing and earmarking all winnings to the Grayson Jockey Club Equine Research. The series moves through five weeks with each handicapper allotted $500 for wagering provided by Horseshoe Indianapolis. It also marked the first win for three-year-old sensation Demolisher, who went on to an undefeated season in 2024 with five wins.
08/31    AP Political Patriot and Saul Lopez were winners in the first ever Restricted Grade 3 race for Quarter Horses in the $212,170 QHRAI SSA Futurity. The two-year-old homebred is owned and trained by Oscar Preciado, an engineering graduate of Notre Dame.
08/31    The fifth annual Grayson Grass Challenge ends with more than $9,500 raised from eight nationally known handicappers, marking a new record raised for Grayson Equine Research.
10/02    Hoosier Day features six premier races on the card and records a handle more than $4.2 million. It’s the 10^th day of the meet with handle exceeding $3 million.
 
Page 5 – Recap of 2024 Racing Season at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024
 
 
10/26    The fifth annual Indiana Champions Day brings in a total of more than $2.4 million as the state’s top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses are featured on the program that boasts more than $1.4 million in purses. The day also includes the second of two Restricted Grade 3 Quarter Horse races as WRs Mynameisrip wins the Miss Roxie Little Futurity. Later in the evening, local trainer Claudio Barraza was a winner in the Grade 2 AQHA John Deere Juvenile at The Downs at Albuquerque for the national Bank of America Challenge series.
11/07    To maximize the daylight hours, especially for the turf course, Horseshoe Indianapolis moves post times up for the remainder of the meet to 1:10 p.m.
11/11    A special Veteran’s Day program is held featuring the Pick 5 Challenge, supported by 13 nationally known handicappers. More than $6,000 is collected for Hoosier Families and Veterans from the day’s activities. Also, Ellis Starr, winner of the Veteran’s Day Handicapping Challenge, donated $500 from his winnings to the cause.
11/12    An out of service shuttle bus was donated to Shelby Parks and Recreation. The presentation was made by team members led by Trent McIntosh, Senior VP at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The bus carries 14 passengers and has only 282 miles on it, perfect for all Parks Department activities during the year. Also, jockeys held their annual Toy Drive, collecting more than 100 toys for kids in the CASA program of Shelby County.
11/13    Jennifer Hudspeth was the winner of the $2,000 Racing Rachel’s Warriors Final. Hudspeth bested 28 other handicappers for the final that spanned more than 28 weeks.
11/14    The 22^nd season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing comes to a close with all leaders honored for both breeds. Alberto Burgos won his first leading Thoroughbred Jockey title and Edgar Diaz won his first leading Quarter Horse Jockey title. Oscar Villarreal was the meet’s top apprentice jockey. Randy Klopp was crowned Leading Thoroughbred Trainer while Tony Cunningham was the meet’s top Quarter Horse Trainer. John Haran’s Haran Thoroughbreds was Leading Thoroughbred Owner with Campos Family Ventures featured as Leading Quarter Horse Owner. Cupid’s Runaway was the top Thoroughbred horse of the meet. Mr Michel was the top Quarter Horse of the season.
11/19    Horseshoe Indianapolis releases final statistics for the 22^nd season of racing, showing new records for handle of $282 million compared to $279 million in 2023, which was a record year. A total of 1,191 races were conducted, with 971 dedicated to Thoroughbreds and 220 for Quarter Horses, both showing an increase in average number of starters compared to 2023.
12/07    Joe Coppola tops a field of 93 entries in the final NHC Qualifier of the year to win $3,000. The top four finishers received prize money and a seat to the NHC Finals in March 2025 at Las Vegas.
 
 
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