Hoosier Park’s season begins tonight, and here’s what horseplayers need to know.

by Dean Towers

On Feb. 21, Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing and Casino announced that Gabe Prewitt was assuming the duties of vice president/general manager of racing.

The changes announced just this week were fast and furious, so I pinged him to talk shop from a horseplayer perspective, and he was happy to answer some questions.

I’m sure it’s a busy week so thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for your fellow horseplayers. First up, have you made any horseplayer/customer related changes since you came aboard?

“We have made several changes, which I’m sure doesn’t come as a shock. Hoosier Park has always been known as a great spot for horseplayers, but we just wanted to add our own touch. They’ve already baked the cake; we are just trying to light the candles.

“That being said, we slashed the takeouts on the Pick 5 (21.5 per cent to 15 per cent) and Pick 4 (21.5 per cent to 12 per cent). The former Jackpot Pick 6 has been cancelled, we have gone to a traditional Pick 6 and also reduced the takeout (21.5 per cent to 15 per cent). We will attempt the 50-cent minimum with it as well. I have always been a huge fan of their signature 20 cent Hoosier Hi-Five with an industry low 12 per cent takeout in the finale, but we thought if one is good, two is better. We have added another 20 cent Hi-Five at the mid-point of each card with race 7. All wagers have carryover potential, and we will be the first track in North America, to my knowledge, to offer four 12 per cent takeout wagers on each and every card, all with 100 per cent carryover potential.

“Instead of paying consolations, we will switch to all 100 per cent carryover possibility with the exception of the 50-cent Pick 6 which will have 75 per cent added to the carryover, with 25 per cent paid to those with the most winners.”

As a horseplayer, what attracts you to play Hoosier Park? Does anything get you extra-excited for the 2025 meet?

“I’m excited for any racing day. I’ve said many times back in the day I was as jacked up walking into Pompano on a Tuesday night as I was walking into Lexington on Futurity Day. I’m excited to get back into the nightly battle fighting for market share. I really believe we will become the carryover capital of North America. I love the big fields, and we will see what eliminating the passing lane does as well for the racing style.”

You’ve always been in-tune with scheduling and the timing of races to get the most eyes and wallets on the product. What do you see in this regard for Hoosier this year?

“I will be rolling with our schedule as is, obviously, but I will be keeping one eye all year on any other night or timeslot where I think we could maybe do better for next season. The post time management I will take over 100 per cent, it’s like playing poker against the rest of the simulcast world every single night. I really enjoy it, and I’ll enjoy it even more if we get things rolling.”

What’s your broadcast team look like for 2025? What can customers expect when they tune in?

“It will be first class; Rising Star Award winner Jacob Rheinheimer will be a staple. We will rotate in many other talking heads as well, including Emily Ratcliff, Hollywood Heyden, Jenna Otten, and myself (when we are really desperate). Michael Chamberlin will handle the announcing duties.”

I’ve appreciated that Hoosier Park uploads qualifiers to YouTube. Will this continue? Are there any other horseplayer tools available?

“We will continue broadcasting the qualifiers on YouTube, and we have inquired about the possibility of live streaming the entire card potentially in the future as well. Free programs will be available on our website for every card, and opening weekend is available now!”