Indiana Gaming Commission Approves Centaur Indiana Grand Purchase

*Press release*

Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 10, 2013 – Indianapolis-based Centaur Holdings, LLC received the Indiana Gaming Commission’s conditional approval today of its agreement to purchase Indiana Grand Casino and Downs in Shelbyville, Ind. The state commission’s unanimous decision, the second of two state-level regulatory approvals needed, comes after last month’s Indiana Horse Racing Commission endorsement. A final review by the Chairman of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission and several financing and federal regulatory and legal approvals will complete the purchase.

“Both the Indiana Gaming and Horse Racing Commissions’ unanimous approvals place the purchase of Indiana Grand Casino and Downs near completion, with several regulators still needing to fully review the finalized agreement,” said Rod Ratcliff, Centaur Holdings, LLC chairman and chief executive officer. “Centaur is ready to expand our Indiana roots, investment, and positive community relationships through the successful completion of this acquisition.”

Centaur, founded in 1993, is a privately owned company, managed by Hoosiers and headquartered in Indianapolis. “The commissions’ concurrence is a sign of confidence in the Centaur management team’s experience and knowledge in creating quality entertainment experiences for our customers,” concluded Ratcliff.

The addition of Indiana Grand Casino and Downs to Centaur’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, Ind. will nearly double the company’s total workforce to approximately 2,000 Indiana residents. “Centaur places the highest possible value on employees, customers, and community and hopes to continue to build on the overall enhancements made by the current Indiana Grand Casino and Downs management team,” said Jim Brown, Centaur and Hoosier Park’s president and chief operating officer. “Whether it is the quality of the employees’ work environment, the products and services provided to guests, or the support provided to the local community, Centaur is dedicated to its promise of operational excellence.”

Indiana Grand Casino and Downs, located in Shelbyville, Ind., opened its racetrack, Indiana Downs, in December 2002. Indiana Grand Casino, formerly Indiana Live!, opened to the public in June 2008.

Indianapolis-based Centaur Holdings, LLC focuses on bringing the entertainment and economic benefits of casino gaming and horse racing to key communities across Indiana. Centaur currently owns and operates Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, Ind., Hoosier Park’s Winner’s Circle Pub, Grille & OTB in Indianapolis, Ind. and off-track betting facilities in Fort Wayne and Merrillville, Ind.


Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, an in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino Announces 2012 Summer Concert Lineup

(Anderson, Ind) Thousands of visitors from throughout the Midwest are expected to visit Hoosier Park Racing & Casino for a lineup of six top music acts in the Coors Light Summer Music Track II concert series. All concerts will be held in the outdoor music center with the series running through Sun., Sept. 2.

If you are looking for the 2013 Summer Concert Lineup, click here.

Grammy-nominated classic rockers, Foreigner, will kicked off the series Memorial Day weekend, followed by an all-day country music event featuring headliners Gary Allan, Rodney Atkins and Josh Thompson in the
Country Throwdown Tour Sunday, June 3.

Five-time Grammy winner, Wynonna Judd, will perform Saturday, July 7 with progressive rockers, Styx, taking the stage Saturday, Aug. 4. Kool & the Gang, with the Commodores, will bring their blend of funk and soul to the series Friday, Aug. 11. The 2012 Coors Light Summer Music Track II concert series will culminate on Sept. 2 with one last special performance.

All concerts will take place in the Hoosier Park outdoor music center, which accommodates up to 5,500 reserved ticket seats. The music center features a wide variety of ticket options, including premium VIP seating and a private party deck complete with personal beverage service and a private music center entrance. All concerts are scheduled to begin at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Performances 

· Saturday, May 26, Foreigner with special guests The Devonshires

· Sunday, June 3, Country Throwdown Tour (Headliners: Gary Allan, Rodney Atkins & Josh Thompson)

· Saturday, July 7, Wynonna & The Big Noise with special guests Steel Magnolia

· Saturday, Aug. 4, Styx

· Friday, Aug. 11, Kool & the Gang with The Commodores

· Friday, Aug. 31,   Creedence Clearwater Revisited
· Sunday, Sept. 2, Big & Rich with special guests Cowboy Troy and Bradley Gaskin

For more information, tickets and directions, please visit www.hoosierpark.com 

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her new column, Infused at FoodandDrinkDigital.com, and as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, or follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook. Gotta Go is published on GottaGo.us, BroadwayWorld.com and in M magazine and the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Restaurant Review: Hoosier Park's Winner's Circle Pub, Grille & OTB

Hoosier Park's Off-Track Betting establishment, Winner's Circle Pub, Grille & OTB, opened its new location in downtown Indianapolis quietly during the 2011 holidays. I was invited to check out the menu at Indy's newest eatery, located at 20 N. Pennsylvania St.

Upon entering the horseshoe-shaped interior, you are greeted by the pub ahead of you and the restaurant to your left. Individual betting is located to the right and beyond a door is a private party room and a smoker's betting lounge.

The pub is high energy with large screen televisions and a rather cool under-counter lighting system, which I was allowed to change the colors from pink to blue, etc. Although there are martinis on the menu, patrons tend to drink single liquors over ice at this establishment. The wine list is well appointed and local beers are always in rotation.

The dining area is more of a horse country's relaxed country club atmosphere enhanced by over-sized, black and white equine photography displayed on the far wall.

The menu is American comfort food, including faves like baked mac 'n cheese, southern fried chicken and steaks. A few twists, such as appetizers of roasted peppers, sweet potato chips and Asian-inspired beef and pineapple skewers keep the choices fresh and interesting.

An absolute must-try is Executive Chef Brian Seal's dessert menu highlight, Chocolate Brownie with Peanut Butter Ganache (see photo above). It is large enough for two, but too good to share. I'll leave that decision to you.

Bottom Line: Hoosier Park's Winner's Circle Pub, Grille & OTB serves up comfort food with a side of fun.

Images: Izzy Evans; Hoosier Park Racing & Casino
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @GottaGo and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in M magazine and the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Pawn Stars Road Show at Hoosier Park Saturday

Pawn Stars Appraise Local Treasures at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino

Anderson, Ind.; – Nov. 7, 2011 – The cast of History Channel’s “Pawn Stars” reality television series will bring their pawn shop inspired Gold & Silver Road Show to Hoosier Park Racing & Casino Saturday, Nov., 12. Ticket holders will have the opportunity to have their treasures appraised and purchased during three separate shows in the Terrace Showroom.

“Pawn Stars” is the History Channel’s highest-rated series, averaging eight million viewers an episode. The reality series gives viewers a glimpse into the colorful world of the pawn business through the day-to-day operations of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop located in Las Vegas, Nevada. Patriarch Richard is joined by his son Rick, grandson Corey, and family friend Austin ‘Chumlee,’ in running the pawn business that was successfully adapted into one of television’s most watched programs in 2009.

Three separate Gold & Silver Road Show sessions will take place every two hours beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. in Hoosier Park’s Terrace Showroom. Starting at 6 p.m., the cast of “Pawn Stars” will host a private reception for those ticket holders who purchased reception passes.

Tickets: $15 and up

Ticket holders will be allowed to present their items for appraisal and potential purchase. Passes into a private reception with the cast of “Pawn Stars” are being sold for $40. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling 800-745-3000 or by visiting Ticketmaster.com. Tickets may also be purchased directly from the box office located in Shelby’s Gifts at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Club Centaur members will receive a 20 percent discount on tickets purchased at the Hoosier Park Box Office.

For events, directions and details visit Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, at www.hoosierpark.com.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @GottaGo and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in M magazine and the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Indy 500 Bump Day 2011 Danica Makes It!

This is great, updating a little now and then throughout the day. My first motorsports press conference was with Danica Patrick after she qualified for the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 race.

What a great personality. I was impressed with how she handled the same questions being asked over and over again. I am not entirely certain if the people asking questions were listening to the others for that reason...

So, when asked how she felt after the nail-biter rain, race, rain afternoon, Patrick replied honestly, "I need a drink." Love it.
When asked if there was ever another day this scary, she replied, "Well, in 2006, I was doing 211 and 211 is pretty slow..."
She stated she feels very bad for Marco and knows what it feels like to be exactly where is he right now.

All I can say is for a first press conference I couldn't have asked for a better one. Danica drama is at a high speed: catch up or get left behind...
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, music, restaurant and performing arts critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook.
Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino Announces 2011 Summer Concert Lineup

HOOSIER PARK

ANNOUNCES SUMMER MUSIC LINEUP

LEGENDS SMOKEY ROBINSON & LYNYRD SKYNYRD HIGHLIGHT COORS LIGHT SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AT HOOSIER PARK

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino Ready to Welcome Thousands in Six Outdoor Summer Concerts

REO Speedwagon

Anderson, Ind. – April 26, 2011– Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, located minutes north of Indianapolis, will welcome a diverse lineup of six top music acts in the Coors Light Summer Music Track series. All shows will be held in the new outdoor music center and the series will run from June 11 through September 3.
REO Speedwagon will kick off the series of performances, with Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer Smokey Robinson performing in July and legendary southern rockers Lynyrd 

Skynyrd closing out the program.

America

All concerts will take place in the newly designed Hoosier Park outdoor music center, which accommodates up to 5,500 reserved ticket seats and features a wide variety of ticket options, including premium gold-level seating and a private party deck complete with personal beverage service.

Saturday, June 11, 7:45 pm

REO Speedwagon

Josh Turner

Friday, June 17, 7:45 pm

America 40^th Anniversary

Tour with special guest Poco

Saturday, July 2, 7:45 pm

Smokey Robinson

Friday, July 8, 7:45 pm

Gary Allan

Friday, August 5, 7:45 pm

Josh Turner

Saturday, September 3, 7:45 pm

Gary Allan

Lynyrd Skynyrd 

Tickets will go on sale the week of May 2, 2011 and prices will range from $20.00 to $64.00, with special gold-level seating available for an additional charge.  Tickets for any Coors Light Summer Music Track concert can now be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling 800-745-3000 or by visiting Ticketmaster.com.  Concert goers may also purchase directly from the box office located in Shelby’s Gifts at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Club Centaur members will receive a 20 percent discount on tickets purchased at the Hoosier Park Box Office.

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, music, restaurant and performing arts critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook.
Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.