Horseshoe Indianapolis will maintain its established racing schedule template for 2026, featuring 123 race dates from April 7 to November 13. The mixed-meet format includes 117 Thoroughbred programs and six Quarter Horse events.
The Indiana Horse Racing Commission unanimously approved the 2026 calendar during Tuesday’s monthly meeting.
The track has consistently followed this scheduling framework since 2023, with the only recent deviation occurring in 2024 when officials added a 124th racing date to coincide with the total solar eclipse that crossed North America.
“We worked hard with our horsemen on this calendar,” said Eric Halstrom, Horseshoe Indianapolis general manager. “I know all of you are aware of the HISA [Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority] impact on our racing. And to stay at 123 days is actually a real accomplishment.”
Halstrom noted that HISA fees for next year will approach $3.5 million, with half of that amount coming directly from the track’s purse fund.
“To stay at 123 days took some real work, and we moved some days around here and there to keep those purses where they need to be,” Halstrom explained. He did not specify purse levels for the upcoming meet.
The scheduling of the track’s signature event, the Grade III Indiana Derby, presented a challenge for racing officials. While the race traditionally runs on the first Saturday in July, that date falls on Independence Day in 2026.
“We agonized over this one for quite a while, thought about it, and we’re going to move that to the week after and try not to fight July 4,” Halstrom said. The derby will now take place on July 11, 2026.
Halstrom highlighted the significant growth in handle for Indiana Derby day, which has increased from “a shade over $4 million” in 2019 to “approaching $10 million” in 2025.
