Indiana Targets Mid-June for Return of Racing

Spectatorless racing has been cleared to begin in Indiana the week of June 14, according to the Indiana Horse Racing Commission.

The commission and racetrack management in the state have been working in conjunction with the governor's office and has issued a timeline to outline those changes. In addition, Indiana racetracks have a reopening plan that includes additional protocols and procedures that all participants will be asked to abide by to ensure everyone's health and safety as these stages are rolled out.

There has been no racing in Indiana this year because of COVID-19. Indiana Grand, which runs Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses in the state, was originally scheduled to open April 14 and continue its meet until Nov. 18. 

After receiving approval from the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, Indiana Grand issued a statement May 7 saying it would announce revised racing dates with an opening day during the third week of June.

"This is a significant step towards starting our 2020 racing season," said Eric Halstrom, the vice president and general manager of racing.  "Our racing department has been working on new plans for the meet including a new calendar and revised stakes schedule. We will announce those changes in the next week."

Alterations to the previously released condition book and stakes schedule will be published on the track's website.

Under the IHRC's timeline, which is subject to change, essential travel restrictions are to be lifted May 11. At that time, horses located in Indiana will be allowed to begin moving onto the backside of state racetracks.

Full training operations on Indiana Grand's one-mile dirt surface will begin May 13, the track said.

On May 24, out-of-state horses will be allowed onto Indiana track backstretches.

Racing is scheduled to begin without spectators, with July 4 anticipated as a date in which pari-mutuel racing and county and state fair racing could begin with spectators, should there be no change to Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb's "Back on Track Indiana" road map. That plan relies on guiding principles to determine the easing of restrictions.

"Our industry leaders, from racetrack management, horsemen associations, and IHRC staff, have been working diligently to advocate for our racing industry to get us to this point," IHRC executive director Deena Pitman said. "We appreciate everyone's cooperation and understanding as we move forward and navigate through this reopening process." 

"We are pleased to be able to accommodate our loyal horsemen by fully opening our barn area," said Mike Rich, the senior vice president and general manager for Indiana Grand. "The suspension of our 2020 meet has been difficult for everyone, and we appreciate the governor, Eric Holcomb, and the Indiana Horse Racing Commission staff for their guidance. We look forward to racing in the near future in a manner whereby we will take every precaution to ensure the health and safety of our employees and horsemen."