Indiana HBPA’s “Grand Mornings at the Track” returns Saturday to Indiana Grand

Jockey Rolando Aragon provides a demonstration on an Equicizer during Grand Mornings at the track. (Photo courtesy Indiana Grand)

Indiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association’s (HBPA) popular Saturday morning program “Grand Mornings at the Track” returns to Indiana Grand Saturday, June 23. The interactive program is free and open to guests of all ages, providing a look at different aspects of Thoroughbred racing in the state of Indiana.

The “Grand Mornings at the Track” series will be held the fourth Saturday of each month extending from June through September. Events begin at 9 a.m. outside the grandstand at Indiana Grand in the Always Turned On tent located across from the winner’s circle. Guests will enjoy a continental breakfast and watch horses on the track before the selected program, which includes guest speakers, behind the scenes access to racing and free giveaways such as caps and racing programs.

“Grand Mornings at the Track is a great way for our horsemen to show all the interesting components of racing that the general public never gets to see,” said Brian Elmore, executive director for the Indiana HBPA. “Our horsemen and women work so hard to maintain and condition racehorses. We want to show racing fans what it takes to get these magnificent horses to the races, and it also gives us an opportunity to extend a welcome to the community so they have a better understanding of how impactful horse racing is for the entire state of Indiana.”

The first event, slated for this Saturday, will include a trip to Marvin Johnson’s farm, located just north of Indiana Grand along I-74. Johnson, a native of Nebraska, is one of the leading trainers in Indiana. He purchased his working farm near Indiana Grand four years ago. In addition to a barn and pasture space, his facility includes an Equicizer used for conditioning horses off the track. A demonstration will be provided. Johnson also has several brood mares and foals for the group to interact with.

The tour will return to Indiana Grand at approximately 10:15a.m. and the group will be invited to attend the weekly barn visit with the owners of Grand Gesture Stable, Indiana Grand’s racing club. The group will assemble in the Backstretch Café at the entrance to the barn area and will go to the Anthony Granitz Stable to see Bold Concept, the horse owned by Grand Gesture Stable. This is the second year for Grand Gesture Stable, which offers individuals the opportunity to own part of a racehorse for the season at Indiana Grand. The fractional ownership has 44 members and Bold Concept has already raced twice, picking up two second place finishes. “Grand Mornings at the Track” will conclude at approximately 11 a.m. following the trip to see Bold Concept at Indiana Grand.

Additional events for “Grand Mornings at the Track” include Saturday, July 28, Saturday, August 25, and Saturday, September 22. Other topics scheduled for the 2018 series include the jockey’s quarters, starting gate and track maintenance facility and the third floor of the grandstand which includes the audio visual room, steward’s stand, photo finish and suites. All events begin at 9 a.m.

For more information on “Grand Mornings at the Track,” visit www.indianagrand.com.

The 16th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 7. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:05 p.m. EST with Saturday racing beginning at 6:05 p.m. EST. Two special Thursday racing dates will be held July 19 and Sept. 6 with a 2:05 p.m. EST post time.

(from Indiana Grand news release)