All-Quarter Horse Day features 11 races

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Sept. 29, 2020) – Indiana Grand Racing & Casino is gearing up for the third all-Quarter Horse racing day of 2020 set Saturday, Oct. 3 with 11 races. An early post time of 9:30 a.m. starts the card, including nine trials for three upcoming stakes as well as the $118,900 Sterlie Bertram Memorial and the $84,700 Hoosier Park Classic.

The 12th running of the Sterlie Bertram Memorial Stakes features three-year-old Indiana breds running at a distance of 400 yards. Louisiana Lover has been tagged as the early morning line favorite at odds of 6-5. The son of The Louisiana Cartel was the quickest winner from the trials and will seek his fifth win of 2020 in his sixth outing. Louisiana Lover is trained by Randy Smith, Indiana Grand’s all-time leading Quarter Horse trainer. Duke Racing owns the standout sophomore, who will be ridden by Sammy Mendez from post seven.

Joining Louisiana Lover as a favorite of the field is Beach Benny, the only horse to defeat Louisiana Lover this season. Starting from the inside post one, the Escondido Beach gelding, owned and bred by Pamela Brickley Hann, is currently on a two-race win streak, including his victory in the $107,000 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Derby. Trained by Anthony Cunningham, Beach Benny will be ridden by L.D. Martinez at starting odds of 8-5.

The entire field for the Bertram Memorial Final, in post position order with jockey and odds, includes: Beach Benny (L.D. Martinez, 8-5); Catchey Rhythm (Oscar Macias, 50-1); Jess Z Bob (Juan Marquez, 6-1); Jess a Flyin Beach (German Rodriguez, 15-1); Shakeitonthebeach (Rodney Prescott, 20-1); JJ Zoomin (Giovani Vazquez-Gomez, 30-1); Louisiana Lover (Sammy Mendez, 6-5); Air Born Desi (Juan Cruz, 50-1); Kissmelikethat (Erik Esqueda, 15-1); and Blue Eyed Newman (Antonio Rodriguez, 12-1). The Bertram Memorial is slated as the final race of the day with an estimated post time of 1:52 p.m.

The other stakes final on the card is slated one race before the Bertram Memorial Final in Race 10. The 24th running of the Hoosier Park Classic is one of three inaugural pari-mutuel Quarter Horse stakes in the state of Indiana held at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in 1997. Heading the field in the 400-yard dash is 2019 Indiana Quarter Horse of the Year Beach Treat from post three at odds of 3-5. The five-year-old Escondido Beach gelding has won his last three starts for owner-trainer Ron Brown and will seek to retain his title in the Hoosier Park Classic. Oscar Macias is aboard the standout gelding, who is 12 for 29 in his career.

The entire field for the Hoosier Park Classic, in post position order with jockey and odds, includes: First Habits (Antonio Rodriguez, 50-1); Stinkin Rich (Shanley Jackson, 12-1); Beach Treat (Oscar Macias, 3-5); Abe (Juan Cruz, 20-1); Ima Hot Lil Angel (Giovani Vazquez-Gomez, 30-1); Beach Cartel (Sammy Mendez, 9-2); Beach Mercedes (Juan Marquez, 7-2); and Yadi 1 (Cristian Reyes, 15-1). Estimated post time for the Hoosier Park Classic is 1:24 p.m.

Prior to the stakes finals, nine trials will be held to set up stakes on the final all-Quarter Horse racing day set for Saturday, Oct. 24. Two QHRAI Derby Trials will kick off the morning card followed by three Governor’s Stakes trials. The Miss Roxie Little Futurity will offer four trials to determine the field for the $150,000 upcoming final.

To complement both all-Quarter Horse cards in October, Martha Claussen, nationally known Quarter Horse racing analyst, will be trackside to assist with handicapping on the day. Claussen will also be available to answer questions and provide additional information about Quarter Horse racing.

Photos of Louisiana Lover, Beach Benny and Beach Treat by Coady Photography