Horseshoe Indianapolis is always seeking ways to take racing to the next level. One of the most important aspects to the team is customer satisfaction. Track management has listened to those who support the racing program in Indiana. As a result, a few changes will be implemented when racing resumes at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 for the 21st season of racing.
"Our team stays engaged with customers year-round and there's no question that the single most requested change from many of our best players was to eliminate the Jackpot Straight Fire 6," said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. "We have listened and are taking the Jackpot Pick 6 off the wagering format in 2023. It will be replaced with an additional Pick 5 on the first five Thoroughbred races daily and we think this will be a win-win for both our customers and horsemen."
The Late Fire 5 joins the current Pick 5, which moves to the first five Thoroughbred races on the program. Both wagers will offer an industry low takeout of 11.99 percent, a very well received option by racing customers two years ago. Each racing program will also retain two pick four wagers on the card, with the first Pick 4 held starting on the second Thoroughbred race and the late pick 4 scheduled for the last four Thoroughbred races on the card. Both Pick 4 wagers also have a reduced takeout of 15 percent. All four wagers begin with a 50-cent minimum and provide separate pools, each with their own carryovers.
"We realize that sometimes our two Pick 5 wagers will overlap in the middle of our program, but we feel this is an additional wager our fans will embrace," added Halstrom. "By offering lower takeouts, an additional Pick 5, and adjusting our post times to work around other tracks running, we feel this is a good combination to engage and enhance our racing presentation to our wagering customers."
In addition to the Pick 5 and Pick 4 wagers, the exotic wagering format also includes a rolling Pick 3 and Daily Double from the first race on, including the Quarter Horse races, a Grand Hi 5 (top five finishers in one race) beginning in the sixth race on the remaining Thoroughbred races daily, and a Grand Hi-5 on all Quarter Horse races. Each of the Grand Hi 5 wagers offer a 10-cent minimum and provide carryovers.
The 21st season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing will resume Tuesday, April 18 for a 123-day meet. The season extends through Friday, Nov. 17. Live racing will be held Monday through Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. with Thursday post time set for 2:10 p.m. Saturday racing will be held during the summer months featuring six all-Quarter Horse dates June 3, July 1, July 22, Aug. 12, Sept. 2, and Oct. 7 beginning at 10:45 a.m. Indiana's featured event, the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby is set for Saturday, July 8 with a first post time of 12 p.m.
For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis.