Beach Benny shines in QHRAI SSA Derby

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Aug. 26, 2020) – It was only a matter of time before Beach Benny got his moment to shine, and that moment came in the 21st running of the $107,332 Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) Stallion Service Auction (SSA) Derby. The race, boasting the biggest purse in its history, was also a shining moment for Jockey German Rodriguez, who earned his first career stakes win aboard Beach Benny.

A clean break got Beach Benny and Rodriguez into contention early for the lead from post eight and a clear path to advance. The Escondido Beach gelding had to overcome the speedy HH CJ Shake and Juan Marquez on the inside, who led the way for most of the 400-dash. But Beach Benny didn’t give in, digging in with every stride late to score the win by three-quarters of a length over HH CJ Shake in :19.826. Louisiana Lover and Sammy Mendez rounded out the top three spots.

“He broke in front and stayed on the lead,” said Rodriguez. “He just kept going and going.”

Beach Benny is owned by breeder Pam Hann of Leesburg, Ind. in the northern part of the state. It was his first stakes win after coming close in several previous events. The sophomore is now three for 12 lifetime and increased his career bankroll to more than $137,000 with the win. Tony Cunningham trains the gelding, who has had five seconds in his last seven starts and was one of three in the QHRAI SSA Derby final for the barn.

“Danny (L.D. Martinez) picked first and picked the fastest qualifier, so German (Rodriguez) rides second for us and he got second choice and picked (Beach) Benny,” explained Cunningham. “I’m very happy for German. He works very hard and rides second and does a lot of work. I’m very happy to see him get his first stakes win.”

Rodriguez, a native of Guadalajara, Mexico, grew up in Chicago. He graduated from Chicago Kelly High School before venturing into horse racing. His interest in the sport eventually brought him to Cunningham’s farm in Michigan.

A longshot on the board, Beach Benny paid $22.40, $9.00, $4.60 across the board. It was his first win of 2020 in his fourth outing, and it was the first time Rodriguez had been aboard during a race.

“I haven’t ridden him in a race, but I’ve been on him in the mornings,” said Rodriguez, who has worked for Cunningham for the past two years. “I helped break him at the farm.”

The Cunningham Stable, based in Michigan, juggles about 40 horses between Indiana Grand and the farm all summer during racing season. Cunningham relies heavily on his team to keep operations running smoothly at both locations.

“I couldn’t’ do any of this without all of them,” added Cunningham. “I’m blessed to have such a great team, and the whole team makes it happen. When I’m down here, my wife, Lisa, keeps everything running at the farm.”

The successful Indiana operation also attracted the attention of Hann, who has been involved with horses for most of her life. She made the transition over to racing about eight years ago. Raising her own Quarter Horses, when it came time to send them to the track, she called on a friend for a recommendation.

“I got connected with Tony (Cunningham) through a recommendation from Sheri and Glenn Miller,” said Hann. “I think I had my first runner in 2012. I showed Quarter Horses as a kid and ran some barrels but when I got into racing, I got hooked pretty quick. Ben (Beach Benny) is such a good boy. I ride him in the winter. He’s very quiet in the paddock. Sometimes you think he’s asleep.”

Hann owns some Thoroughbreds also that Cunningham trains. She is also a small partner in Ten Strike Racing, also competing on the Indiana circuit.

As far as the future in Quarter Horse racing, Hann has some firepower coming up.

“I have a half sister to Ben named Coco Cartel,” said Hann. “I bred her back to Escondido Beach so the breeding will be very close to Ben. We’ll have a foal in 2021.”

Photos by Coady Photography