Anderson, IN — In celebration of the two biggest days in horse racing, the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino is set to host its annual “Let’s Talk Derby” celebration highlighted by a live simulcast of the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday (May 4) from Churchill Downs.

The day will include a full simulcast race schedule, official Derby merchandise, Kentucky Derby mega-bets, live harness racing starting at a special post time of 7:10 p.m., a derby hat contest, and $100 drawings. The signature Kentucky Derby race has an estimated post time of 6:50 p.m. EST on Saturday.

Known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” the Kentucky Derby is a $2 million race at 1-1/4 miles featuring the very best 3-year-old horses in racing. Harrah’s Hoosier Park offers convenient wagering for all races held at Churchill Downs. Advance wagering for the Kentucky Oaks is available Thursday (May 2) and advance wagering for the Kentucky Derby is available Friday (May 3). Special futures wagers are also available, including a Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby double wager and a Pick-3 wager covering the Oaks, the Old Forester Turf Classic and the Derby.

A Grand Derby Day buffet will be offered, beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Kentucky Derby day, for $28.99 per person. The Dan Patch Brewhouse will feature $3 craft beers and $3 pizza by the slice throughout the day. Guests can also take home the official 145th Kentucky Derby collector glass with the purchase of a traditional mint julep for $9. The official 145th Kentucky Oaks collector glass will be available with the purchase of a traditional Oaks Lily for $9. Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s regular dining outlets will also open earlier in the day for racing fans to enjoy while partaking in the Derby festivities.

Harrah’s Hoosier Park is once again partnering with the Standardbred Retirement Foundation as part of the Derby Day programming. Guests who donate $2 to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation will be entered into drawings for $100 in race wagers. Guests can enter as many times as they like, and will receive an entry for each $2 donation. Kentucky Derby $500 mega-bet drawings will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Five people will be drawn to place a $500 MegaBet on the Kentucky Derby.

Beginning at 2 p.m., Kentucky Derby aficionados can test their knowledge with Kentucky Derby trivia on the Terrace Showroom stage and earn wagering vouchers. A special Kentucky Derby Day hat contest will take place at 5 p.m. on The Terrace Showroom stage with a first-place prize of $500. The top three winners will be determined by best presentation, originality and over-all appearance. Registration for the hat contest will begin at 3 p.m.

Guests are encouraged to stick around for live racing on Saturday. Following Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s third race, five lucky winners will be drawn to win $100. The night will also feature winner’s circle giveaways, promotions and a t-shirt toss.

“Family Fun Saturdays” are also set to return to Harrah’s Hoosier Park this Saturday and every Saturday throughout the live racing season. Younger racing fans can enjoy family fun activities, face painting and various entertainment.

For more information on “Let’s Talk Derby,” visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com. Live racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park will follow a Tuesday-through-Saturday schedule through Nov. 9. The live racing meet is highlighted by the $4-million Championship Season, with the signature $300,000 Dan Patch Stakes scheduled for Aug. 9.