Horseshoe Indianapolis: Introducing Heaven and Horseshoes Worship and Community Center
Scheduled to open officially on February 6, 2026, the Heaven and Horseshoes Worship and Community Center will be a 7,000-square-foot venue located near the backstretch entrance of the racetrack in Shelbyville, Indiana. This facility is designed to serve participants from both thoroughbred and quarter horse racing communities by offering space for various events.
Construction began on March 5, 2025, with Elite Construction handling the build. The center, affiliated with the Indiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) and the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI), includes a chapel, full kitchen, two meeting rooms, four offices, and three restrooms. Funded by Caesars Entertainment, this $1.4 million project sits on a 2.5-acre property across from the Racing Administration building, providing easy access for backstretch workers and racing staff.
Joe Davis, chairman of the Indiana HBPA, expressed deep appreciation for Caesars Entertainment’s support, noting that the facility will exceed expectations and enable multiple events that benefit jockeys and other racing participants. The center’s gathering room boasts an expanded 6-foot-high ceiling and accommodates 100 people. It features a modern kitchen equipped with two commercial-grade stoves, three sinks, two large refrigerators, a walk-in freezer, ample counter space, and islands to aid in meal preparation supported by both Indiana HBPA and QHRAI.
QHRAI President Chris Duke highlighted the importance of having a climate-controlled venue with sufficient seating to better serve members and expand event offerings. The chapel can seat 126 guests and is outfitted with a complete audio/visual system, centered around a cross displayed in a window behind the pulpit area.
Pastor Mickey Sajice, serving both QHRAI and Indiana HBPA, emphasized the center’s role in the racing community, noting it will host weekly Bible study and bilingual church services starting February 8. The property includes 60 parking spaces, a summer produce stand, a covered outdoor patio, a soccer field, and ongoing construction of a basketball court expected to open this spring.
Heaven and Horseshoes will hold its ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 6, featuring guest speaker and retired Hall of Fame jockey, Pat Day. For more details, contact Indiana HBPA Executive Director Tim Glyshaw at (318) 286-8888.
Santa Anita: Update on Good Goritism Molly and Upcoming Maiden Races
Good Goritism Molly, half-sister to a California millionaire horse, secured her first win impressively over five and a half furlongs in a state-bred race on the Santa Anita main track. Trained by Ian Kruljack in his second career start and ridden by Hector Berrios, Good Goritism Molly won by nearly three lengths and returned $6.60 to bettors. She shares pedigree ties with Tiz Molly’s Clubhouse Ride, daughter of Tiz Wonderful.
Due to rain-related cancellations, the Las Virgenes Stakes has been postponed by a week, leaving no stakes race on this Sunday’s nine-race card. However, two featured maiden races for 3-year-old fillies—one on dirt and one on turf—remain highlights.
Race 2, set for 1:03 PM PT, is a one-mile maiden race on the main track. The favorite is Wolf Hill (8-5), daughter of Upstart, who narrowly missed victory in her last outing and will be ridden by Diego Herrera. The second choice, Banzai Betty (5-2), trained by George Papaplodromou, is set to run without blinkers and with jockey Edwin Maldonado after Humberto Rispoli’s injury.
Race 5, at 2:36 PM PT, is for sophomore fillies making their first start over six and a half furlongs on turf. European import Silky Sebei, trained by Phil D’Amato, is favored at 5-2, with jockey Emisael Jaramillo expected to make his U.S. debut aboard her. Other notable entries include Not With A Fox, Red Cherry, and Acoustic Kitty, all aiming to break their maidens on what promises to be an exciting turf showcase.
Tampa Bay Downs: Trainer Michael Simone’s Journey and Vision
After achieving his first career triple win on January 11, trainer Michael Simone celebrated with owners at a local restaurant near Tampa Bay Downs. The Queens, New York native reflected on the influence of his late father, Victor, whose career included notable wins such as the G3 New York Gray Rag Handicap and Stymie Handicap.
Though emotional about his father’s legacy, Simone expressed newfound respect for his dad’s achievements as he builds his own stable. Having returned to training in 2020 after a brief retirement following his father’s passing, Simone has steadily risen through Tampa Bay’s ranks. Last season, he tied for eighth in wins with 16 victories.
Simone currently manages a stable of 22 horses, including several owned by supportive clients like John Reilly and Robert Deckert Jr. While none of Simone’s horses are yet superstars, he values consistent performance and focuses on acquiring horses with potential who fit well into his program. He takes pride in carefully attending to their health needs and adapting feeding and care routines to promote their well-being and racing form.
With a strong bond among owners, staff, and horses, Simone remains optimistic about the future. He enjoys the racing lifestyle and hopes one day to train stakes winners himself, honoring both his late parents’ memory and the joy this sport brings him.
Fan Take:
The opening of Heaven and Horseshoes represents a vital community hub for horse racing professionals, combining spiritual support and practical amenities, which strengthens the fabric of the racing world. Meanwhile, standout performances and promising races at Santa Anita and the inspiring journey of trainer Michael Simone highlight the ongoing passion and depth of talent fueling the sport’s future. These developments remind fans that horse racing is as much about community and resilience as it is about competition.
