Anderson at Muncie Free Press - Delaware County Indiana | News and Information

Free Press Report

ANDERSON, IN - Hoosier Park is taking bets on the Kentucky Derby as a day of fun and racing begin Saturday afternoon.

Fans can wager on the entire card at Churchill Downs through simulcasts and then watch a night of live harness racing, according to Rick Moore, Hoosier Park's general manager of racing.

 There also will be mint juleps and women's hats to bring the derby home to Hoosier Park.

Thunder Steeler Wins $24,000 Invitational Pace

Free Press Report

Tim Konkle Named Racing Scholar at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino

By: Zach Groth

ANDERSON, IN - Tim Konkle, 53, has a professional goal to promote and help grow the Indiana harness racing industry; plain and simple. With more than 50 years of horse racing experience, 15 years at Hoosier Park alone, Konkle brings a level of professionalism and expertise that is unparalleled in the greater Indiana region. For this reason, Hoosier Park has transitioned Konkle from backside maintenance manager and recently declared Konkle as Hoosier Park’s first racing scholar. In this new role, Konkle will educate racing fans, answer racing questions, and give professional insight into the sport.

Konkle currently offers brief sessions to groups that visit Hoosier Park to expand their knowledge of harness racing and to give patrons tips on how to go through the wagering process. Konkle offers insight into the new FastBet Mobile way of wagering as well as offering advice on how to efficiently read the programs distributed nightly. Although there are racing fans at Hoosier Park that do not need professional tips, they can still be found asking Konkle for an answer to the potential million dollar question – “Who would you pick to win?”.

Free Press Report

ANDERSON,IN - Shaint To Shabby, dismissed at 16-1, was an upset winner in the $15,000 Miss Windfall series final for three-and-four year old, Indiana sired fillies and mares on Tuesday, April 16 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Roger Cullipher piloted the three-year-old filly to a 1:56.1 triumph for her second win in three starts, as she sent her career bankroll over $10,000.

The heavily favored Mystic Karissa, seeking her fifth straight victory this year, got away poorly in sixth from post nine. Long shot Gm’s Best Ann left the gate alertly and reached the front through the opening quarter time in :27.4. Starting from post eight, Cullipher placed Shaint To Shabby fifth along the rail and waited patiently to make a move. Gm’s Best Ann and Tyler Smith yielded the lead to Fritzie Chic and Trace Tetrick down the backside through the half mile time in :58.2.

Hawaiian Angel and Don Eash followed intently in third while Rhinestone Robin was along the rail in fourth. Mystic Karissa was the first to take aim at the leader as Ricky Macomber Jr. tipped her to the outer flow approaching the final turn. Fritzie Chic continued to lead the field of ten to the three-quarter mark in 1:27.4 as she braced herself for the cavalry charge to the wire.

Free Press Report

ANDERSON, IN -  Betterluvnexttime rattled off a sharp front end effort taking home the featured event, a $24,000 Invitational pace for fillies and mares, to notch her second consecutive victory at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, April 12.

Pete Wrenn left no room error as he sent the five-year-old mare to the front from post seven. The duo would have to work for their position as Trace Tetrick also sent Aqua Artist out of the gate alertly. Betterluvnexttime reached the front through a brisk opening panel in :26.3 and continued to call the shots down the backside. The field of eight remained in single file lane as they reached the half in :55.4.

Aqua Artist benefitted from a pocket trip while Queenies Alibi and Tyler Smith followed intently in third. Shabalabadingdong was the first to commit as Lewayne Miller tipped her to the outside around the three-quarter clocking in 1:26. Aqua Artist also took aim at the leader as the field turned for home but Betterluvnexttime found another gear.

By Rick Yencer

ANDERSON, IN -  A group of bi-partisan lawmakers joined with the gaming industry Friday to make one last pass at having live dealers at Hoosier Downs and Indiana Downs.

As Sen. Tim Lanane, D-Anderson said, he was willing to fight over creating 600 new jobs from live table games in a bill that Lanane called exclusive job creation.

The scene was in front Hoosier Park where 600 signs resembling grave markers could be found under a banner that said ""Live dealers = 600 jobs."

The image was created by media graphics who work for gaming giant Centaur that owns the new horse racing tracks.

Veteran Rep. Jack Lutz, R-Anderson said the live table games did not cost the state a dime and  would help the economy.by putting hundreds to work in Anderson besides Shelbyville where Indiana Downs was located.

Free Press Report

ANDERSON, IN - Racing fans are reminded to participate in the guaranteed $10,000 Pick-4 pool offered at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday, April 11. In partnership with the Unites States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering program and the Indiana Standardbred Association, Hoosier Park will offer this signature wager on Thursdays.

New Era of Harness Racing in Indiana

Free Press Report

ANDERSON, IN - The opening week of live harness racing action at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino saw measurable success on all fronts. Excitement pervaded throughout the grandstand as large, enthusiastic crowds welcomed the 20th season of harness racing back to the seven-eighths mile oval.

On the racing front, Abc Mercedes and driver Trace Tetrick both returned to their winning ways as they wired the field in the co-featured event, a $24,000 Invitational trot. The eight-year-old gelding reached the front and never looked back before stopping the clock in 1:55.4. Ricky Macomber Jr. and I Trust You followed suit on the pacing side of things and benefitted from fast early fractions to capture the $24,000 Invitational pace in 1:52.4. Trained by Ron Burke, I Trust You brushed home in :28.4 to post the first win of his 2013 season.

Hoosier Park’s track surface, with the addition of a brown limestone material, proved to be in mint condition for the opening week of live racing. The track, now a noticeably darker color, has been meticulously groomed by Hoosier Park’s track superintendent, Jimmy Shelton, and received rave reviews from all who encountered it.

By Rick Yencer

ANDERSON, IN -  Hoosier Park is getting an early start to horse racing, kicking off the new season Tuesday with a twelve race card and more than 120 entries.

For returning general manager of racing Rick Moore, the anticipation is high for the new season that is expanded and will feature only standardbred racing. Moore was part of the track opening team 20 years ago and just returned to oversee operations again.

"I can't wait to get this season kicked off," said Moore.

And like any Hoosier Park event, there's plenty of promotions, giveaways and specials for patrons besides some big purses for the opening days races.

By Rick Yencer

ANDERSON, IN - A $350 million venture to build a 2,100 acre reservoir on White River near Mounds Park already has some big backers in the community.