Caesars Trotting Classic and the Hoosier Park Pacing Derby have become a major stop on the circuit of major players in Standardbred racing. This year’s event was paired with an evening dedicated to the fans with Community Night at the Races Friday, Sept. 22 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in partnership with the Indiana Standardbred Association (ISA).
ISA Director Emily Dever signed kids up for the Backpack Giveaway Friday, Sept. 22 during Community Night at the Races at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Photo by Tony Renz
The ISA held a backpack drawing for kids outside the winner’s circle. Ten lucky fans went home with backpacks during the evening. ISA Director Emily Dever greeted the young racing fans and took all sign-ups from 6 – 8 p.m.
Community Night also included a special meet and greet with drivers, including Kyle Wilfong. Wilfong, winning driver of this year’s Dan Patch Stakes with Ponda Warrior, signed autographs for fans. Bob “Hollywood” Heyden also provided a free handicapping seminar from the Terrace Showroom Stage to help educate fans on reading the program and selecting horses for wagers with free bets and complimentary hors d’ouevres. Horseshoe Indianapolis’ Bugler Garry Lauziere also provided special post time calls throughout the night.
To help complement the action-packed racing program, several guaranteed pools were offered, including a $7,500 Pick 5 in the first race, a $20,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick 4 in Race 12, a $25,000 guaranteed Superfecta pool in Race 13, and a $15,000 guaranteed Hi-5 pool in the final race of the night. The boosted pools are part of the US Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering program.
Caesars Rewards members were also granted a Caesars Trotting Classic sweatshirt by swiping their card during the night and redeeming their voucher at the mutuel line near the Homestretch Clubhouse. Other activities on the night included a $5 mystery voucher with a $5 donation to benefit the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, and a Grand Circuit streak promotion featuring the selection of winners by fans for select races this season.
The evening also marked the conclusion of the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge online auction. The event will complement other activities coming up to support select charities associated with the upcoming Breeders Crown Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28.