by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Tuesday (June 24) will mark the debut of the freshman class of Indiana Sires Stakes competitors as the 2014 stakes season for 2-year-olds is set to get underway at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino with four $20,000 divisions showcasing the top trotting colts in the state.

Revamped for the 2014 live racing season, Hoosier Park has introduced a new and improved Indiana Sires Stakes format approved by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission last year. The 2014 Indiana Sires Stakes program will feature five legs throughout the season, and from each leg the top 20 horses will return to compete in a final and consolation. The stakes program will culminate with the top ten horses from each of the previous finals returning to compete in a $200,000 Super Final on Oct. 18 at Hoosier Park.

The 2-year-old trotting colts will kick-off the Indiana Sires Stakes action on June 24 with the 2-year-old trotting fillies highlighting the 14-race card scheduled for Wednesday (June 25). The 2-year-old pacing fillies will take to the track on Thursday (June 26) and the 2-year-old pacing colts will follow suit on Friday (June 27).

The first of five $75,000 Indiana Sires Stakes finals for the 2-year-old competitors, tagged as Hoosier Champions Night, is scheduled for Saturday (July 5) at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.

Hoosier Park will once again partner with the United States Trotting Association to offer racing fans a great weekend of harness racing action through the fifth annual Back to the Track tour.

Back to the Track is a cooperative effort among the USTA, its member racetracks and horsemen from coast to coast that provides fans across the country with exciting days and nights of harness racing combined with fan-friendly and fun promotions. Hoosier Park will offer racing fans dining specials, handicapping contests, various entertainment and giveaways on July 4 and 5.

Live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule with a daily post time of 5:15 p.m. The 160-day, all harness racing meet will offer an extended stakes schedule and be conducted through Nov. 15.