Anderson, IN — Live harness racing will take center stage at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino as the 30th season is set to get underway on Friday (March 24).

The 160-day season will offer the most lucrative stakes program in the track’s history, culminated by the return of the prestigious Breeders Crown on Oct. 27 and 28.

A total of 14 races have been carded for Hoosier Park’s opening night and the program will be highlighted by full fields and competitive racing.

“What an exciting week on the 2023 calendar, the start of Spring and the start of a new racing season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park,” noted Vice President and General Manager of Racing, Rick Moore. “In my mind they both speak to the rebirth of a wonderful new year. And, what a special year it should be with the return of the Breeders Crown to Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

“With 14 races carded for each of the first two nights of the meet, the positive momentum has already been established and, hopefully, will continue on. We can’t wait for the curtain to be lifted and racing action to commence this coming Friday.”

Hoosier Park will welcome fans back to the track with the annual Fan Appreciation Days — a variety of promotions, contests, food specials, guaranteed wagers and giveaways geared toward the racing customer.

Racing fans will have the opportunity to win up to $500 with a mystery voucher giveaway starting at 5 p.m. on Friday. The activities will continue with a free Harrah’s Hoosier Park quarter zip giveaway while supplies last. Dining and drink specials will be featured throughout the property, including dollar days on Friday, and fans can play along with a free handicapping contest both Friday and Saturday night. First post is 6:15 p.m.

All of Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s familiar betting options are back for 2023, including the Hoosier High-5 with an industry low takeout of 12 percent and a minimum wager of 20 cents. The Hoosier High-5, which requires a bettor to select the first five finishers in a race in exact order, will be offered on the last race each night, provided there are at least seven entrants. If there are no winning tickets sold, the net money wagered that day will be carried over to the next day’s Hoosier High-5 pool. On opening night, the Hoosier High-5 pool will be guaranteed at $15,000.

In partnership with the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering program and the Indiana Standardbred Association, Hoosier Park will also feature a $10,000 guaranteed Pick-4 pool on Thursday nights in races 11-14.

Harrah’s Hoosier Park will offer a free handicapping contest each night of the week for on-track customers. In addition, racing fans will receive double reward credits for wagering on live races at both Horseshoe Indianapolis and Harrah’s Hoosier Park when they wager using their Caesars Rewards card, which can be used for complementary offers throughout the season.

There will be fun and excitement for both the casual and serious racing fans. Harrah’s Hoosier Park will offer a free, live racing program online every live racing night and also feature several handicapping tools for those that are new to the sport of harness racing.

Live racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will follow a Friday, Saturday schedule the opening week; a Friday, Saturday schedule the second week; and then commence a Wednesday through Saturday schedule before adding Tuesdays beginning on June 27.

On April 8, post time on Saturdays will transition to 7 p.m. throughout the remainder of the season. Live racing will be conducted through Dec. 9 this season.