Indiana Downs Raceway
Indiana Downs Raceway is a 152-acre horse and harness racing property in Shelbyville, Indiana with a one-mile main track and a seven furlong turf track. Shelbyville is located 15 miles from the city of Indianapolis, and the track is situated at the intersection of I-74 and Fairland Road (Exit 109).
Indiana Downs Raceway features thoroughbred, quarter horse and standardbred racing. Thoroughbreds usually race from April to May/June while harness racing is typically run from June/July to October.
Since opening in 2002, Indiana Downs Raceway has hosted some of the state’s major stakes events, including the Indiana First Lady Stakes, the Governor’s Stakes, the Checkered Flag Stakes, the Shelby County Stakes, the William Henry Harrison Stakes and the Oliver Stakes.
Indiana Downs Raceway currently has two satellite wagering facilities: one in Evansville, which opened in February 2003; and another in Clarksville which opened in March 2004.
Indiana Downs Raceway is about 42 miles from Hoosier Park. Together, these two tracks contribute to the development of the horse racing industry of the state. Shelby County was selected to be the site of Indiana’s second horse track due to its sufficient population, direct interstate access, and welcoming community.
Indiana Downs Raceway Facts
- Track Opened: December 6, 2002
- Speed Ratings: 1:59.2
- Length of Stretch: 900 feet
- Width of Homestretch: 80 feet
- Starters Behind the Gate: 9
- Hubrail: No
- "Open" Stretch: No
- General Admission: Free
- General Parking: Free
- Grandstand Capacity: 1,200
- Clubhouse Capacity: 400
- Parking Capacity: 1,700
Indiana Downs Raceway History
2000 - In August, developer Paul Estridge Sr.’s proposal to build a standard bred track in Lawrence, Indiana was rejected by a 4 to 1 vote by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission. They had decided that Lawrence was too close to the Anderson, Indiana where Hoosier Park is located. Hoosier Park was Indiana’s sole pari-mutuel track.
2001 - On May 30, the Indiana Horse Racing Commission voted 4-0 to grant a license to the Estridge group to build a new track in Shelby County, instead of Lawrence. This ended Hoosier Park’s seven-year reign as the state’s only pari-mutuel track. Construction of Indianapolis Downs (later renamed Indiana Downs Raceway) commenced shortly thereafter.
2002 - On December 6, Indiana Downs Raceway opened in Shelbyville, Indiana. The first race ever held at the new track was won by Crosswind.
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