by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Back by popular demand, Charity Chariots will once again return to Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday (Aug. 3).

The event, which gives racing fans a chance to experience the thrill of sitting behind a racehorse, will get underway on Aug. 3 and continue through the entire month at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. In this one of a kind experience, racing fans will have the opportunity to take a spin in a double-seated jog cart accompanied by one of the Celebrity Standardbred drivers around the seven-eighths-mile oval at the Anderson, Ind., track prior to the first race post time of 5:30 p.m.

All drivers will donate their time from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. to escort guests around the track. A fee of $10 is charged for each ride and all proceeds go directly to the driver’s selected charity.

Held out of the Grandstand Paddock, Charity Chariots registration begins at 3:55 p.m. near the winner’s circle. The event will be held on a first come, first served basis and will be conducted weather permitting. A group of horses that are currently stabled at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will be utilized during the Charity Chariots which provides racing fans a chance to sit behind a horse that will be racing at Hoosier Park throughout the 2013 meet.

Each driver personally selected a charitable organization to support with fundraising efforts throughout the year, each choosing a charity that has significant meaning. Throughout the past four racing seasons, each driver has participated in numerous events, concerts and promotions to benefit their charitable organizations. The Celebrity Standardbred Drivers continue their work this season and have cumulatively already raised more than $3,500 this year through various fundraising efforts throughout the 2013 harness racing meet.

Last year, Ed Hensley pulled in the highest fundraising total and donated more than $3,000 to Alternatives Inc., an organization that provides shelter for abused women and children throughout Madison County.

Charity Chariots will continue through the remaining four Saturdays in August during the 2013 live racing meet, which concludes on Nov. 9.

Hoosier Park’s ‘Family Fun Days’ also return this Saturday and will continue each weekend throughout the entirety of the Standardbred meet. Activities will include a bounce house, face painting, jugglers, live entertainment, games and winner’s circle giveaways. The official Hoosier Park mascot, Hoosier Buddy, will be on hand to entertain.