Indiana Grand — Back of the Track

The back of the racetrack is a different world. A visit is always a learning experience but not everyone gets to go backstage.
Today, Iʼll take you to one part of a track with restricted access and one part that is wide open to the public that might surprise you.
Most of my writing for America’s Best Racing focuses on the experiences available any day for anyone. I enjoy making recommendations you can easily try. Getting into the paddock and sitting in box seats is always special and fun, but leaning into the paddock for a better view and being in a crowd at the rail as horses thunder past are integral parts of racing for me.
However, no one in their right mind would deny special access or privileges if they become available. My first time in the paddock at Churchill Downs and then following the horses out to the racetrack gave me goose bumps. Watching morning workouts at Fair Grounds and Churchill from the opposite side of the stands makes me feel more “in the know.” Emphasis on the word feel, since one time I still managed to take pictures of the wrong horse for Miss Wright.

The back of the track at Indiana Grand may not have the sizzle of wandering more famous barns, but you still get to see things others donʼt: horses getting re-shod, lots of cats and even goats — nervous horses enjoy their company. This goat had the run of the place, and the horses seemed OK with sharing their food.

The real point is to get up close and personal with a favorite Thoroughbred. Always remember to ask permission for access, contact, etc., if a trainer is not escorting you.
At Indiana Grand, the access process is fairly formal compared with some other places, including a famous track that I shall leave nameless. Someone must have the proper pass and then others in the party are asked to provide identification and given a wristband to show that they officially are approved visitors.

If you get a chance to visit the back of the track, any track, do it. It may not change your life, but it can be a wonderful experience, especially if you go while workouts are happening. Rarely do most people see that much hustle and bustle in the early morning hours.
Indiana Grand offers a fantastic bonus that anyone can enjoy. The Backstretch Café is open for breakfast, naturally, and also offers lunch. There is nothing fancy about this place, the communal tables and general decor gave me flashbacks to school cafeterias, but there are also betting machines under the TVs. I donʼt remember those in high school.

Another difference is the dry-goods section featuring snacks, toiletries, detergent, lighters, lots of Q-Tips and sundries (I always wanted to use that last word) for the convenience of the hardworking, early rising horse people.

But we didnʼt visit Backstretch Café to shop or sightsee, we were hungry.
The prices surprised me, in a happy way! The Big Breakfast, “two bacon, one sausage, two eggs, toast and hash browns,” is a mere $4.95. Sandwich Special, 1/2 sandwich and either side salad or soup is the same price. As is the Blue Plate Special and the BLT on Toast, which we ordered, plus some onion rings ($1.95). I didnʼt think about the size when I ordered a soda and 32 oz appeared (99 cents), I canʼt imagine how large “The Monster” ($2.50) is. Appropriately, the menu is available in both English and Spanish.
We waited inside at a table to have our number called and then carried our food out to the small porch, where we enjoyed a shaded meal and considered how interesting this perch would be for racing. Missing the stretch run would prevent this from being a prime location, but having Thoroughbreds flying past during a very inexpensive lunch makes it worth it. An obstacle for some might be that no alcohol is available for sale here.

My BLT was delicious, much better than I expected for the price, and Miss Wrightʼs special — meatloaf, potatoes and succotash — over delivered as well. The onion rings were fried to perfection and I would recommend eating here often, for the experience, the prices and, yes, the quality. Plus, itʼs not common knowledge that this is available, so you can feel, “in the know” as well.
There are still a few weeks left of racing at Indiana Grand, get out and enjoy some racing. Backstretch Café is open seven days, check for hours if youʼre going later in the day.
My next few posts will be about the Breederʼs Cup, so stay tuned.