Indiana Champions Day Saturday at Horseshoe Indianapolis

The state's top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses will take center stage Saturday in Shelbyville for the fifth annual Indiana Champions Day at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

A record $1.5 million will be offered on the 13-race program featuring seven Thoroughbred races followed by six Quarter Horse events. First post for the day is noon.

Highlighting the Thoroughbred portion of the program is the fifth running of the $250,000 Unreachable Star Handicap. The race is the final Thoroughbred event for the day with an estimated post time of 3:22 p.m. A full field of 12 will enter the gate seeking the title of the Unreachable Star, named in honor of former Indiana Horse of the Year with earnings surpassing $780,000.

“It’s one of the top three events we have in terms of purse money events for the entire season,” said Horseshoe Indianapolis track analyst Rachel McLaughlin. “I tell people it’s half Thoroughbred and half Quarter Horse in one day. For a normal card you might get eight Thoroughbreds and two Quarter Horses at the end of the day. It’s double the fun and double the purse money with a million dollar in purses. It’s going to be a huge day.”

Hoosier Daddy Now, from post three with jockey Marcelino Pedroza Jr. aboard, has been tagged as the early morning line favorite at odds of 3-1. The Charming Kitten gelding, owned by Stuart Kendall and trained by John Langemeier, has three wins this season, including the $100,000 Snack Handicap title.

The Quarter Horse portion of the program will be capped off with the 16^th running of the $235,600 Miss Roxie Little Futurity, which runs as a Restricted Grade 3 event for the first time in 2024. The race is one of two elevated to Grade 3 status this season, joining the RG3 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Futurity held earlier this year.

WRs Mynameisrip was the fastest qualifier with a time of 17.937 seconds. He leads the final field of 10 from 51 two-year-olds from the trials seeking a spot in the final. WRs Mynameisrip begins from post 10 as the favorite in the 13^th race. Juan Marquez will ride at odds of 3-1 for trainer Natasha Perez and owners Gwen and Randy Williams.

Many activities will take place throughout the Indiana Champions Day program, including a cigar rolling station with free cigars to the first 400 21 years of age and older, Magic Mirror Selfie station, winner’s circle giveaways, and facepainting.

A drawing for a $3,000 Megabet for Race 7 will be held as well as a $3,000 Megabet drawing for Race 13, with a $2,500 Champions Day Thoroughbred Legends contest provided by the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and a $1,000 Champions Day Quarter Horse Legends contest provided by Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana.

The day will also feature “Pink Out” raising funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Month. Several additional promotions will be offered with all proceeds going to Indiana Women in Need, a local organization geared toward the care and support of cancer patients and their families.

General admission and parking are free for Indiana Champions Day. Reservations may be obtained for the Clubhouse by calling Beth Litteral at (317) 421-8801.

Look for more information on Indiana Champions Day on social media @HSIndyRacing.

The 22^nd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Nov. 14. Racing is held at 2:10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find the track on Social Media @HSIndyRacing.

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