The arrival of March each year also signifies the return of live pari-mutuel racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Opening night is set for Friday, March 26 and the barn area will officially open Saturday, March 6 to prepare for the 27th season of Standardbred racing.
Harrah’s Hoosier Park will open its barn area Saturday, March 6 to prepare for the upcoming 160-day race meet.
A total of five qualifiers will be set prior to opening night with the first round set for Wednesday, March 10. Other qualifying days include Saturday, March 13, Wednesday, March 17, Saturday, March 20 and a night time qualifier, used as a dress rehearsal for the meet, set for Wednesday, March 24.
Last year at this time, two sets of qualifiers were turned in at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, the second during a heavy snow storm on Saturday, March 14. Later that day, all operations were halted due to COVID-19 with the casino operations ceasing operations at 6 a.m. Monday, March 16. At the time, it was thought the shutdown would last two weeks, but the pandemic kept the Indiana racing industry shut down for three months.
The Indiana Horse Racing Commission will begin with regular operating hours Thursday, March 4 with the licensing office open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. On opening day of the barn area Starting Saturday, March 6 and qualifying days, hours will be 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. Once racing gets underway, hours will shift to 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. to accommodate horsemen and horsewomen coming in to race. COVID-19 safety protocols are still in place and limitations are still in place for licensing.
More details on moving into the barn area and information on the upcoming racing season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park may be found on the website at www.hoosierpark.com or by calling the racing office at (765) 609-4880 or by emailing Director of Racing Scott Peine at speine@caesars.com.