INDIANAPOLIS — The president of USA Swimming, Tim Hinchey, has credited Indianapolis with taking the Olympic swim trials to the next level. After Lucas Oil Stadium became the first NFL venue to hold an Olympic-size pool, the Circle City’s reputation as a trend-setter was cemented.

An announcement came Friday that 2028 Olympic swimming events will be held at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

The trials in Indianapolis drew tens of thousands of visitors from across the country, and some of them said Indy’s memorable level of commitment is what takes major events up another notch.

“It’s bigger and better than I think we ever anticipated,” said Jim Heinz, a native Hoosier and Florida resident of over 40 years. “We’re proud of our Indiana roots, very much so.”

It’s safe to say the Circle City is doing laps around the competition.

“Omaha did a great job, and we enjoyed our time there,” said Adam Calonder, a swimming fan from Iowa. “But this is just a little bigger, a little grander, and this whole outdoor-indoor environment around the area is all about swimming.”

Visitors have been wowed by the Georgia Street festivities and Eiffel Tower replica, and downtown Indianapolis has been buzzing for almost a week.

“You don’t get to see a lot of swimming like you do college basketball or football,” said Adelina Smith, a swimming fan from North Carolina. “I feel like it’s so cool to get to come here and have a full week devoted to swimming and see a state that’s so prideful in all of its swimmers.”

Hinchey agrees with Smith’s sentiment.

“Once you take something to the next level, it’s hard to go backwards,” Hinchey said. “So, I think we’ve set an expectation.”

Although he couldn’t say whether the trials would return to Indy in the future, he made one thing clear — ticket sales have been strong, and he’s liked what he’s seen so far.

“I feel like, for the first time in a long time, our sport got the red carpet treatment here as hosts,” Hinchey said.

Visit Indy says it’s too soon to estimate the full economic impact of the past week, but downtown hotels have been nearly sold out, and all metrics of tourism are up, significantly.

“We feel like we’ve exceeded expectations, yet we know we can’t sit idle,” said Chris Gahl, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Visit Indy. “For this event to continue to be successful, for USA Swimming to continue to think about Indianapolis — we want them leaving wanting more.”

Hinchey also told reporters the organization plans to use what they’ve learned here in Indianapolis during this record-breaking round of trials to continue growing the sport moving forward.

(Tres a Blood captures Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby / All Photos by Coady Media)

From the Horseshoe Indianapolis Media Team / Tammy Knox:

Tres a Blood all heart in Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Thursday, June 20, 2024) – Tres A Blood and Edgar Diaz rallied home winners in the 15^th running of the $126,000 Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby to close out the Thursday, June 10 racing program. The duo covered the 400 yard dash in a time of :19.960 seconds.

Starting from post eight, Tres of Blood was not the first out of the gate as Revvs Cowboy and Rolando Pina had the early lead in the center of the track. Several horses were in contention midway through the sprint with Cleave and Martin Munoz challenging on the outside of Revvs Cowboy and Jon 316 and Alberto Ceron holding their ground along the inside. As the wire neared, Tres of Blood hit another gear and rallied home for the win by a neck over Cleave with Revvs Cowboy holding his ground for third, just a head in front of Jon 316.

“He (Tres of Blood) is way too calm and gentle, and he doesn’t demonstrate what he can do before a race,” said Diaz. “But once he is on the track, he is all business and becomes professional. I knew he could close well today, and he did.”

Tres of Blood paid $10.80 for the win. The Apollitical Blood sophomore was a second place finisher behind Goodtimefreddash in the trials but turned in the second fastest time of the day. He is a recent acquisition by David Campos’ Campos Family Ventures of Indiana. Claudio Barraza trains the small in stature gelding, who is now two for three in 2024.

“Edgar (Diaz) and I actually went out to the sale this winter and picked this horse out,” noted Barraza. “We wanted something we could race in things other than the SSA (Stallion Service Auction) Derby. We had him ready, but we waited for the trials of this race before we started him.”

Tres of Blood relocated into Indiana with back to back wins at Zia Park and Sunland before heading to the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale, where he was purchased by Campos Family Ventures for $72,000. He has now won three of his last four starts and gave his new connections a stakes win already in Indiana. His win in the Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby paid for his purchase price as he now has in excess of $130,000 on his card.

“We were actually worried a little going into the trials,” added Barraza. “He is so quiet, it’s hard to tell when he’s okay. He’s not lazy, he’s just very quiet, so you can’t tell much about him at times. He’s little, but he has a big stride. We thought he raced good in the trials, and he actually surprised me. We are just excited to get this stakes win here today.”

Barraza and Diaz have proven they are a tough pair in recent years in Indiana. The trainer-jockey duo has teamed up for numerous stakes wins, including four of six stakes wins with Indiana standout Mr Michel, who is a perfect two for two this season. Diaz was not aboard for his first win of the year due to injury but was back aboard for his win in the $34,000 Carter Riley Stakes earlier in June.

The win placed Campos Family Ventures over the $100,000 mark this season in earnings. It was their second win of the meet in the Quarter Horse ranks. The team of Barraza and Diaz have two wins for them and have finished in the top three seven of nine starts for 2024.

The 22^nd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Thursday, Nov. 14. Racing is held Monday through Thursday at 2:10 p.m. All Quarter Horse dates are set for 10:45 a.m. Saturdays June 29, July 20, Aug. 10, Aug. 31, and Oct. 5. Indiana’s featured event, the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby is Saturday, July 6 with a first post time of 12 p.m. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find the track on Social Media @HSIndyRacing.