Horseshoe Indianapolis projects record handle at recently completed meet

Total handle on the mixed meet at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville, Ind., has been estimated by track management at a record $235 million, the fourth straight year that handle has risen.

Track officials said that the estimated $235 million total for the 123-day meet would be approximately 5 percent higher than total handle last year, when the track ran 27 fewer races. Per race, the estimated handle is expected to jump 9 percent compared to last year, the officials said.

The track estimated its handle totals at the conclusion of the meet last week because some wagering totals from international markets will not be available for the next several weeks, track officials said.

:: DRF Bets members get FREE DRF Past Performances - Formulator or Classic. Join now!

During the meet, average field size for Thoroughbred races was 7.83 horses per race. So far this year, the average field size at U.S. tracks has been 7.23 horses per race, according to Equibase.

Horseshoe Indianapolis had short fields for several weeks in May due to heavy rains and then canceled three cards and moved its post times in June and July during a string of days in which the heat index approached or exceeded 100 degrees.

“Despite difficult weather conditions … we ended up showing a solid season of business in 2022,” Eric Halstrom, the general manager of the track, said in a release.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.