by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN —– A once-in-a-lifetime $10,000 Kentucky Derby mega-bet will culminate two of the biggest days in the sport of horse racing on Saturday, May 3 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Hoosier Park will welcome guests with extended hours, advanced wagering, and dining specials to take in the excitement of the 140^th running of the Kentucky Derby.

Indiana’s five simulcast race-wagering locations will be busy as they are the only locations in the state of Indiana to take wagers on the biggest race of the year. Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, Winner’s Circle Pub, Grille, & OTB as well as off-track betting facilities in Merrillville and Fort Wayne will offer several options for racing fans to watch and wager on the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs.

Racing fans at Hoosier Park can enjoy convenient wagering for all races held at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Day, a full simulcast race schedule, official Derby merchandise, live Standardbred racing and entertainment throughout the day. The Derby fashion, dining and entertainment that will be on display at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will culminate two of the biggest days in the sport of horse racing.

“Our goal is to bring the pomp and ceremony of Derby Weekend to our fans at Hoosier Park,” said Rick Moore, Hoosier Park’s vice president and general manager of racing. “Whether it is mint juleps or beautiful women’s hats, one will feel the excitement of racing’s greatest weekend just as though they were in the stands at Churchill Downs.

“Add to that, the buzz being generated by this year’s Derby favorite, California Chrome, who many believe has a great chance to be the first Triple Crown Winner since 1978,” Moore continued. “And you have a weekend that you will not want to miss.”

One lucky Hoosier Park guest will get the chance to place a $10,000 bet on the horse he or she believes will win the Kentucky Derby. The winner must wager the entire $10,000 sum on the horse they believe will place first in the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby. The exclusive mega-bet drawing will take place at approximately 5:15 p.m., with the bet being placed prior to the 6:24 p.m. Kentucky Derby post time. Last year, the winner of the mega-bet promotion walked away over $60,000 richer after he placed his $10,000 win bet on Orb who went on to win the 139^th edition of the Run for the Roses.

The precursor to the Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Oaks, will begin the weekend of horse racing festivities on Friday, May 2, with the Kentucky Derby running the night of Saturday, May 3. Derby weekend will include property-wide dining specials, expanded beverage options, and official Kentucky Derby merchandise sales. Patrons will also have the opportunity to receive a free race wager if they wear a Derby hat.

Advanced wagering will be available at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino for both the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby. Kentucky Oaks advanced wagering began on Thursday, May 1 and Kentucky Derby advanced wagering on Friday, May 2.

Hoosier Park’s ‘Family Fun’ Saturday, May 3 will also offer bounce house activities, face painting, and various other entertainment geared toward the younger racing fans. Live Standardbred racing will begin at its regularly scheduled post of 5:15 p.m. with an action-packed 13-race card. Additionally, Churchill Downs’ full racing card will be shown throughout the Hoosier Park property. Admission is free and open to the public.