Hoosier seeks reduced schedule

Hoosier Park plans to cut 10 programs from its live Thoroughbred racing schedule next year, according to a dates application it filed on Thursday, as part of a drastic reduction in live racing at the Indiana track.

Hoosier applied for only 120 live racing days in its application, down from 193 in 2001. Most of the cuts will be felt on the Standardbred side - Hoosier applied for only 60 days of live Standardbred racing, down from 123 in 2001.

State racing law requires tracks to run 120 live racing days at a minimum. The Indiana Horse Racing Commission must approve the dates by Dec. 31.

Rick Moore, the general manager of the track, said Hoosier decided to reduce its live racing schedule because of anticipated competition from a new track in 2003. Hoosier will be required to split the proceeds from a lucrative subsidy from Indiana's riverboat gambling industry with the new track.