(Horseshoe Indianapolis / Photos by Coady Media)

From the Horseshoe Indianapolis Media Team / Tammy Knox:

RECAP OF 2025 RACING SEASON AT HORSESHOE INDIANAPOLIS

SHELBYVILLE, Ind.; – Dec. 19, 2025 – Below is a list of the top five racing stories, quotes and a timeline prepared by the race marketing department at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The 123-day racing season was conducted from Tuesday, April 15 through Thursday, Nov. 13.

TOP FIVE STORIES

  1. Record Handle again in 2025

 

For the fifth straight year, record handle was recorded at Horseshoe Indianapolis. A total of $287 million was wagered on racing compared to $282 million in 2024. The final tally does not include international money which is anticipated to boost the final total to more than $325 million. A total of 14 days showed handle of $3 million or more.

Total handle per race was up with a 6.39 percent increase of $252,886 compared to $236,886 last season. On track handle saw a slight jump to $4,818,434 compared to $4,724,140, a two percent increase year over year.

A total of 1,142 races were conducted with 931 dedicated to Thoroughbred racing. A total of 198 turf races were held compared to 237 turf races in 2024, specifically related to weather causing races to be taken off the turf.

For Quarter Horse racing, a total of 211 races were conducted compared to 220 in 2024.

  1. Tip Top Thomas tops record setting Indiana Derby

Tip Top Thomas and Hall of Fame Jockey John Velazquez won the 31st running of the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby. The Todd Pletcher trained chestnut son of Volatile paid $7.40 for the win, his third in five career starts.

The winning effort by Tip Top Thomas also established a new track record in 1:41.15 for one and one-sixteenth miles. The previous record was set in 2011 by Brazilian bred Jardim in 1:41.19. Estimated attendance for the afternoon program exceeded 5,100.

The Indiana Derby capped off another record setting day, with all-source handle surging over the $9.163 million, more than one million over the previous year’s total of $81.47 million. The 2025 Indiana Derby now marks the largest handle ever accumulated in the 23-year history of racing at the track.

Silks ‘N Roses

Horseshoe Indianapolis created a new event in 2025 dedicated to females in racing. The evening featured numerous activities geared toward women, including a flower bouquet station, Kilwin’s chocolate station, premier gift giveaway, and a silent auction for a lawn jockey painted in pink silks. All proceeds were earmarked to Indiana Women in Need (I.W.I.N.) with more than $3,800 raised for the cause.

Part of the activities for the evening included a female handicapper challenge. A total of 15 handicappers from across the United States placed $100 wagers into the Pink Out Classic on the card and raised more than $1,300 to place into the money raised for I.W.I.N. A special handicapping contest was also held, attracting a total of 195 entries with $2,500 in prize money allotted to the top six finishers.

Quarter Horse completes record setting year

Indiana Quarter Horse racing took a step forward in 2025, recording the richest all-Quarter Horse racing program in track history. More than $1.273 million was wagered on the first of six days dedicated to the sprinters Saturday, May 31, a new record. The second Quarter Horse program of the year also eclipsed the $1 million mark, with $1.142 million wagered Saturday, June 29. It was the first time in track history two Quarter Horse specific programs topped the $1 million mark in one season.

The second year of Restricted Grade 3 action for Quarter Horses was also held with A Flare for Politics and Jorge Torres winning the $230,111 Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) Stallion Service Auction Futurity Saturday, August 30. The freshman son of Flare for Ivory owned by Phil Harrison was joined by Rock N the Beach, winner of the other Restricted Grade 3 event for Quarter Horses on Indiana Champions Day. The Escondido Beach freshman scored the win in the $359,600 Miss Roxie Little Futurity, the richest race ever recorded in Indiana for any breed. Rolando Pina was aboard for the win. Tim Eggleston trains both horses and will have his silks displayed on both Quarter Horse jockey statues outside the winner’s circle depicting the two Graded Stakes winners.

The races were part of the richest Indiana Champions Day ever held with purses exceeding $1.4 million for the entire card and more than $2.765 million wagered, a new record for the event.

Community Center added to facility

Ground was broken Wednesday, March 5 for a new Community Center, which will benefit the horsemen and women on the backstretch. The facility will house all breed organizations with offices plus offer a new chapel for weekly Bible Study sessions as well as dedicated events for all participants who live and work in the barn area.

The project, which topped $1.4 million, was completed at the end of 2025. It was funded by the Racing Capital Fund Advisory Committee for specific projects related to racing over the course of 10 years, funded by Caesars Entertainment.

The structure, located just outside the stable gate to the barn area, is approximately 7,000 square feet and includes a kitchen with ample seating for specialty dinner programs provided throughout the racing year for the horsemen and women at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Elite provided the construction for the project. 

MEMORABLE QUOTES

Vice President and General Manager Eric Halstrom on the launch of the artificial intelligence handicapper A. I. Alan with Daily Racing Form: “We could not be prouder to partner with DRF on this project. A.I. Alan is our new on-air virtual handicapper. He will eventually be featured daily with auto generated facts from DRF’s new A.I. data system. This information is specifically tailored to our racing product. His presence on our simulcasting program will be the first in the industry powered by A.I.”

Chris Duke, President of QHRAI and owner of Elite, the company that provided the construction on the new Community Center: “In the last two years, Quarter Horses have been able to train and stable here year round, so we have a lot of more full time residents here. This community center will be a special opportunity for them to enjoy and get a lot out of this building. I want to thank the City of Shelbyville for being so easy to work with on this project. We appreciate their efforts in bringing this project to the community.”

Trainer Randy Klopp on the repeat title as Horse of the Meet for Cupid’s Runaway: “He is a real hard knocking horse that always gives you everything he has. If he gets beat, it is usually a trainer or jock mistake. He has been a pleasure to have in the barn.”

Tom Congalosi, winner of the 2023 Road to Louisville option to purchase a horse from the ITOBA Fall Sale and seeing his horse, Highspeed Justice, win her first start April 22:“This is well over our expectations. I did my own regular handicapping on this race, and didn’t think she would be better than fifth, so this was a great surprise. Tim (Eggleston) said she was starting to put on some weight and was training really well. Jockey Andres (Ulloa) had been working her in the mornings, so that was important to me to know he had been working her. This experience has been more than we expected.”

Hannah Leahey following her win aboard Hot Middles in the Hoosier Breeders Sophomore Fillies Handicap: “I get on her every morning. She is very quirky, and I like to say, ‘we are living in Hot Middles world.’ I take my time with her and let her do her own thing. She is aggressive in her works, and after I galloped her a few times this year as a three-year-old, I could see a big difference in her. She has so much talent and ability. I told Tianna she had a stakes horse.”

Quarter Horse Owner-Breeder Sheri Miller on the passing of longtime Indiana stallion Escondido Beach in August 2025: “The careers of both Beach Cartel and Beach Mercedes shows the longevity of the foals by Escondido Beach. Those horses were our dream team and will never be matched for their success on the track. That’s the thing about Escondido Beach; he could take an ordinary mare and make a stakes winner. We are thankful to everyone who believed in him over the years. His legacy will continue through his broodmares.”

Trainer Brendan Walsh following his win with Clicquot in the Grade 3 $200,000 Indiana Oaks: “From the get-go she’s always been very nice. Looks like she’s still improving, and it was her second time going two turns. So, she looks like she’s really, really top drawer. We’ve been lucky enough to have some nice fillies the last couple of years. I think this filly is up there with the best of them. We’re taking it one step at a time, and this looks like a good next step for her. They’re only three once, so it is nice to get a Graded stakes win it’s very important for fillies.”

Hall of Fame Jockey John Velazquez on winning the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby with Tip Top Thomas: “He (Tip Top Thomas) wasn’t standing as good as I wanted him to in the gate. The first jump out of the gate wasn’t very good. I knew the horse on the inside (Master Controller) was going to go to the lead. We were just not in it for the first few jumps out of there, and then he got aggressive. I was told not to be in the mouth too much because he throws his head up. He was going quickly, kind of relaxed, giving me a good feeling. At the three-eighths pole, when they came at him, and I asked him, he was game. I love that. I love it when they come to him, and you ask them for more and they give it to you. He fought the whole way down the stretch. When I went with him (Coal Battle), I knew he wasn’t going to pass me.”

Jockey Luis Contreras on his move to Indiana in 2025 after a highly successful career in Canada: “In Canada, the jockeys are a little closer, you don’t have as many jockeys coming from different places. I really like it here (America). It’s more competitive, you have riders coming from different places here in the States, it’s a challenge, different cultures, different jockeys. It’s always a challenge to ride with them. It brings me more energy, I feel stronger, more tough. I want to show them I can ride with them.”

 Local Trainer Michelle Elliott on finishing second to Clicquot in the Grade 3 $200,000 Indiana Oaks: “I’m so excited. She ran huge. Especially that I haven’t run her long one time since we hit the dirt. I’m so very proud of her. I thought she could go the distance, and I think we went a pretty good time, too. I was pretty stoked.”

Quarter Horse Jockey and Trainer German Rodriguez on playing a dual role for the first time in 2025: “It was a lot of bookwork. Me and my fiancé (Ryleigh Fisher) stayed up studying for that test for a while. There is an advantage to being the jockey and the trainer. You can ride your horse in the morning; the trainer is not gonna ride him in the morning, so you have to believe everything the rider is telling you on your horse. I don’t have to tell that to myself.”

Leading Jockey Fernando De La Cruz on having his parents in the winner’s circle for his trophy presentation: “My mom and dad visit us often from Peru, but to have them in the winner’s circle for this presentation makes it extra special. I’m very lucky to have my family supporting me.”

Thoroughbred Owner-Trainer John Langemeier on the success of his brood mare Amberly Village, who had three foals racing in stakes action in 2025: “Amberly Village is a full sister to Plainfield, who was such a nice horse and so special to us, but he had some soundness issues. It’s important to us to make sure these Thoroughbreds, who are the greatest athletes in the world, get into second careers. So, Plainfield is now training to be a three-day event horse, which is really cool for him to go on to this. Amberly Village raced well for us, and at the end of her racing career, I actually gave her to a kid to be a pentathlon horse, but the kid got hurt and couldn’t keep her, so we got her back. I did a little research and Flatter brood mares have proven to do very well, so we decided to keep her and raise foals.”

2025 RACING TIMELINE

 

02/06    The Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse premier racing season schedule is released with $5.24 million allotted for 46 races for Thoroughbreds and a record $2.381 million for 30 stakes races offered for Quarter Horse racing.

03/02    A record 712 horses are on property for the official start to the training season. The previous three-plus months of winter training had a perfect safety record for equine athletes.

03/05    Ground was broken for the addition of the $1.4 million Community Center located just outside the stable gate to benefit the horsemen and women along with all racing breed organizations, complete with a kitchen, meeting space, and a chapel.

04/15    Mondavila, trained by 2024 Leading Trainer Randy Klopp kicked off the season opener with a win in the first race. Joe Ramos is aboard for owners Liz Klopp and Jill Patrick. The day marked a record for an opening day with more than $2.6 million wagered.

04/16    Jose Rodriguez earned his first win as a trainer. The former assistant to Aaron West won with Galpin Sunday to establish his first win in his new role.

04/22    Highspeed Justice, the filly purchased by 2023 Road to Louisville winner Tom Congalosi, makes her first career start and is a winner for the Georgetown, Ky. resident. The Harry’s Holiday filly is trained by Tim Eggleston and waited until three to make her racing debut.

05/01    Approximately 250 backstretch workers enjoy a free lunch during the annual Welcome Back BBQ in the Trackside Café.

05/03    Richard Bruckert won the 16-week Road to Louisville contest which includes a trip to the Indiana Derby and a $10,000 bankroll. The contest concluded on Kentucky Derby Day.

05/14    Smoken Boy wins the $150,000 Caesars which was taken off the turf due to rain. The afternoon recorded more than $3.6 million despite being off the turf.

05/26    The Senior Leadership Team from Horseshoe Indianapolis competed in an inflatable animal race out of the starting gate to raise money for various local charities. The event is part of the special Memorial Day racing program.

05/31    The first all Quarter Horse racing program is held with a new record handle of $1.273 million.

06/12    Fox Sports begins coverage of Thoroughbred racing for Thursdays in June, September, and October.

06/15    Horseshoe Indianapolis and Daily Racing Form announce a partnership on the first artificial intelligent handicapper. A.I. Alan is launched powered by DRF’s database. DRF also becomes the sponsor of the Indiana Oaks.

06/26    More than $3.4 million is wagered on the program featuring the Nobody Listens and Checkered Flag Handicaps with both races featured on Fox Sports.

06/28    For the second time in 2025 the all Quarter Horse racing program records more than $1.1 million on the card, which is a first for two Quarter Horse programs to top $1 million in one season.

07/04    Joe Coppola of Franklin, Tennessee wins the first National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) Qualifier, advancing to the 2026 NHC Finals.

07/05    Tip Top Thomas wins the 31st running of the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby in track record time with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez aboard for Todd Pletcher. Clicquot, trained by Brendan Walsh wins the Grade 3 $200,000 Indiana Oaks. Erik Fannin wins the second NHC Qualifier to advance to the finals in Las Vegas.

07/19    German Rodriguez makes history when he becomes the first Quarter Horse Jockey-Trainer to win a stakes race, guiding Heza Hawkeye in the $172,000 Heartland Futurity during the third all-Quarter Horse program of the meet.

08/08    Silks ‘N Roses is added to the promotional calendar featuring a night dedicated to females in racing. Numerous activities geared toward ladies is offered, including premier giveaways, a chocolate station, and a flower bouquet station with all proceeds to Indiana Women in Need. More than $3,800 is collected for the cause.

08/16    The seventh annual Empire of Hope was held to raise funding and awareness for racehorse aftercare. A total of eight organizations were in attendance with information on adopting horses from their programs.

08/29    A Flare for Politics and Jorge Torres won the QHRAI SSA Futurity, the first Restricted Grade 3 race of the season. Tim Eggleston trains the freshman for owner Phillip Harrison.

10/01    More than $4.2 million is wagered on the third Hoosier Day, featuring six Thoroughbred premier races during the afternoon program.

10/22    The Indiana Horse Racing Commission held its bi-monthly meeting and approved racing dates for 2026 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

10/25    A record handle of more than $2.765 million is wagered on the sixth annual Indiana Champions Day. Governor Mike Braun and his wife, Maureen, are in attendance featuring a record purse total of more than $1.4 million over the 13-race program. The day also includes the richest Quarter Horse race ever with the Restricted Grade 3 Miss Roxie Little Futurity won by Rock N the Beach and Rolando Pina to give Tim Eggleston his second Graded Stakes win of the season.

11/03    Three individuals are inducted into the Indiana Horse Racing Association Hall of Fame. Rick Moore, Gary Wilcox, and Bob Cherry were inducted during the ceremony held in the Marquee room.

11/11    More than $10,000 is collected for Hoosier Veterans and Families (HVAF) during a special Veterans Day program. The afternoon includes a Pick 5 Challenge with 14 national handicappers placing $250 wagers into the Late Fire Five Pick Five with all proceeds going to HVAF. The afternoon also includes the $2,500 Veterans Day Challenge with Stephen Luca and Bill Bode winning seats to the 2026 NHC Finals.

11/12    Approximately 100 toys are delivered to the CASA of Shelby County office from the annual Jockey Toy Drive.

11/13    The 23rd season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing comes to a close. Fernando De La Cruz wins his third overall Leading Jockey title with Randy Klopp repeating as leading trainer. Haran Thoroughbreds won the title in the owner category with Jose Gutierrez named the Juan Saez Leading Apprentice. Eduardo Diaz won his first Quarter Horse Leading Jockey title joined by Tim Eggleston for his first Quarter Horse Leading Trainer award. Campos Family Ventures repeats as Leading Quarter Horse Owner.

12/06    A total of 148 entries are received in the NHC Qualifier. The event was won by John Nichols of Louisville, Kentucky. Nichols had already qualified twice for the final, so seats were awarded to Philip Lam, Harry Seaman, TJ Taylor, and Brian Feldman.

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