Turf Course named in honor of Rod Ratcliff at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (July 14, 2018) — The racing program for the 24th running of the Indiana Derby, Indiana’s richest horse race, was kicked off by an official welcome from Rod Ratcliff, chairman and CEO of Centaur Gaming and Jim Brown, president and COO of Centaur Gaming after the first race. A surprise presentation was made to Ratcliff as Indiana Grand’s seven-eighths mile turf course will now be known as the Rod Ratcliff Turf Course.
“I’m very humbled and speechless,” said Ratcliff. “It is humbling to have something liked this named in my honor. Thanks to the team that made this happen and I hope I will live up to this honor.”
Centaur Gaming acquired full ownership of Hoosier Park in 2007 and purchased Indiana Grand in 2013. At that time, all Standardbred racing was moved to Hoosier Park with all Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing moved to Indiana Grand.
“It’s with sadness and a whole lot of joy tonight as this will be our last Indiana Derby,” said Ratcliff in his welcome speech to the racing fans. “We appreciate all the support from Shelby County, the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, and the horsemen’s organizations and on and on to everyone who has brought Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing to where it is today.”