Hankins honored at Indiana Grand

Pat Hankins has been an integral part of the horse racing program at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino since its inception in 2003. The Shelbyville resident served as the horsemen’s bookkeeper from 2003 through the 2008 racing season before moving to the grandstand as a program seller on the first floor.

Even though she wasn’t working with the horsemen, she continued to maintain friendships with them and greeted them daily from her post in the first floor grandstand. The conclusion of the 2018 racing season marked the end of an era for Hankins as she moves into retirement. She was honored by the Indiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) during the final day of racing for the 2018 season on Nov. 7 at Indiana Grand.

Tianna Richardville and Katie Kunz-Duran, both board members of the Indiana HBPA, made a special winner’s circle presentation to Hankins following the second race of the day for her dedication and assistance to the horsemen in Indiana.

“On behalf of all the horsemen and the Indiana HBPA, this is a token of our appreciation for all your years of service to us as the horsemen’s bookkeeper,” said Richardville in a media release. “You oversaw all the horsemen’s accounts for almost six years and we wanted you to know how much we appreciated you.”

Hankins is a native of Wadsworth, Ohio. While working as a school bus driver, she met her husband, Kenny, who was a truck driver from Shelbyville. After the couple married, they moved to Shelbyville where they have lived for the past 38 years. Together, they have three children, Rich, Connie and Kim, along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“I appreciate this so much, and I was so surprised,” said an emotional Hankins. “I’ve enjoyed every minute working here and I’m so thankful for this honor.”

Racing resumes at Indiana Grand in Shelbyville in April of 2019 with dates expected to be released by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission in December.