Large Fields for Indiana Grand Opening Day June 15

Horsemen enthusiastically greeted the return of racing at Indiana Grand by entering 118 horses and 17 also-eligibles in 11 races for its opening day, June 15, of which nine races are for Thoroughbreds and two are for Quarter Horses.

The meet, the 18th season in track history, was delayed two months due to COVID-19. The 94-day season will follow an amended schedule this year, with racing conducted on a Monday through Thursday basis with a first post of 2:20 p.m. ET. The track will also host four days of exclusively Quarter Horse action on July 4, Aug. 8, Oct. 3, and Oct. 24. The season concludes Nov. 18.

Featured on the Monday card is a $32,500 allowance optional claiming event running one mile on turf, one of three grass races on the card. West Sider, Wild Union, and Mo Hawk are three of the race favorites.

In addition to Indiana-based horsemen, the opening-day card attracted participants from Kentucky. Numerous jockeys that have been riding at Churchill Downs this spring have been named aboard mounts, including Joe Talamo, Rafael Bejarano, Florent Geroux, and James Graham.

Racing is dark at Churchill Downs on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, providing some opportunity for riders to travel from there for choice mounts at Indiana Grand. The two tracks are about two hours away by car.

As usual, the Indiana Grand season is highlighted by the Indiana Derby (G3), which will carry a $300,000 purse and offer qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) after the latter race was postponed until Sept. 5 due to COVID-19. The Indiana Derby is one of six stakes at Indiana Grand July 8.

The full Thoroughbred stakes schedule can be viewed on the track website.