This Saturday, Horseshoe Indianapolis is the place to be for horse racing fans and gamblers in the tristate and beyond, as the track and casino in Shelbyville, In., about 30 miles southeast of Indianapolis presents a fantastic day of premier races topped by the 31^st running of the Indiana Derby for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds.

There’s a lot going on Saturday at Horseshoe Indianapolis, and we’ve got you covered with options for food, drink, and activities as well as information on watching and betting on the races. General admission and parking are free for guests of all ages attending the track Saturday.

Premier races galore:

Exciting racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis. (Coady Media)

The action begins at 12 p.m. ET when gates open for the first of 13 races at Horseshoe Indianapolis, with the Indiana Derby scheduled as race 12 and having a 6:33 p.m. post time. The $300,000 Indiana Derby features three horses that competed in this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve: Chunk of Gold, Coal Battle, and Publisher. Chunk of Gold is running back in the Indiana Derby just two weeks after he finished second in the Ohio Derby and will be one of the favorites.

One race before the Indiana Derby, 3-year-old fillies will compete in the $200,000 Daily Racing Form Indiana Oaks (post time 5:55 p.m. ET). Other big races include the $100,000 Michael G. Schaefer Memorial for horses 3 and up and the $100,000 Indiana General Assembly Distaff Handicap for fillies and mares 4 and up. Two of the premier races are restricted to Indiana-breds.

As usual on Indiana Derby day, some of the best-known jockeys in horse racing will travel to Horseshoe Indianapolis for mounts. This year, Hall of Famers Mike Smith and John Velazquez will be on the grounds, pushing the excitement meter up another level.

A fun day at the track:

Fun for all ages. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Get to Horseshoe Indianapolis early Saturday and enjoy a full day of activities in addition to the live racing, and be sure to plan for elevated temperatures with a forecast of sunny skies and a high of 91 degrees. The track will offer winner’s circle giveaways and promotions including T-shirts and hats throughout the day with help from Jeremiah Johnson, courtside analyst for the nearby Indiana Pacers, who came up just short of capturing the NBA championship two weeks ago. 

Kids of all ages and those young at heart can enjoy capturing memories at a free Magic Mirror selfie station, and fashionistas will show off their best millenary in a $1,000 Indiana Derby Hat Contest. If you’re 21 and over and love a good cigar, you can grab a free one (while supplies last) at the rolling station. The selfie station and cigar rolling station are open from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. ET.

Food trucks will be on the grounds at Horseshoe Indianapolis, and of course, dining options at the casino are open, ranging from prime steaks at Jack Binion’s to pub grub at Brew Brothers and quick bites at the Sidewalk Café. And dining is included with reserved clubhouse tickets – click here for more information.

For horseplayers in attendance to bet the 13-race card, contests are scheduled offering a chance to win even more money. These include a $3,000 Derby Megabet drawing and a $2,500 Derby Legends Handicapping Contest courtesy of the Indiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. And those striving for a spot in the 2026 National Horseplayers Championship can buy into a qualifier tournament offering seats to next spring’s NHC in Las Vegas plus $10,000 in prize money.

Watching and betting:

If you’re running late to Horseshoe Indianapolis or can’t make it Saturday, each race will be broadcast on FanDuel TV. Fire up your Caesars Racebook betting app and get your wagers in!

America’s Best Racing has got you covered with two livestream shows focusing on Saturday’s card as well. The first is a don’t-miss “Indiana Derby Preview” show streaming Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABR’s Facebook, X, and YouTube channels. Get betting tips in advance from experts on the Saturday races – and then, on Saturday, stream “Indiana Derby LIVE!” at home at 5 p.m. ET or on your phone while at the track for ongoing coverage. That show also will stream on ABR’s Facebook, X, and YouTube channels.