ANDERSON, Ind. (WISH) — Anderson will host one of harness racing’s premier events for three years beginning in 2027. The Hambletonian Society chose the Hoosier State to host the Hambletonian. The race, generally in early August, will happen at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing Casino in An derson, a parimutuel racetrack that includes slot machines. The race features the top 3-year-old trotters in North America. It attracts owners, trainers, and fans from across the globe. The win resulted from a yearslong partnership between the Indiana Standardbred Association, Indiana Sports Corp, the Madison County Visitors Tourism Bureau, the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, Caesars Entertainment, and Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Circle City Broadcasting reported on Indiana’s bid for the race in February. Harrah’s Hoosier Park previously hosted multiple Breeders Crowns. Tom Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment, said in a news release that the company is proud to partner with the state to host the iconic race. Reeg said Caesars Entertainment and Hoosier Park have the facilities and experience to deliver a world-class event. A Purdue University study shows Indiana’s horse racing industry generates approximately $2 billion in annual economic impact, the release said, and the industry supports thousands of jobs, particularly in rural communities. John DeLong, president of the Indiana Standardbred Association, called the selection a historic moment for the state’s racing industry. DeLong said in the release that winning the bid required a team effort between the state, the racing industry, and tourism leaders. Mike Smith, executive director of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, said in the release that hosting the event is the result of years of investment and partnership. “Indiana has developed a racing and breeding program that is respected throughout North America. Hosting an event of this stature allows us to showcase that success while introducing an entirely new audience to Indiana racing.” Gov. Mike Braun said in the release that the selection boosts Indiana’s economy and its standing as a destination for international sports. The Republican governor also said the win shows Indiana’s ability to compete for major events and highlights the strength of the state’s racing industry. Officials will announce more details, including the race date, schedule, and purse structure, in the coming months. This year’s winning horse, Apex, took home a $500,000 winner’s share of the $1 million total purse. The Hambletonian Stakes has been run in New Jersey’s Meadowlands Racetrack for more than 40 consecutive years. The race, which began in 1926 in Syracuse, New York, spent its first five decades in Lexington, Kentucky; Goshen, New York; and the Illinois State Fair in Du Quoin, Illinois. ...read more read less