Beach Cartel sizzles in Born Runner Classic

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (June 18, 2020) – He’s a little older, a little stronger, and a little lighter in color but he hasn’t lost his big long stride. Beach Cartel and Sammy Mendez rallied late in the stretch for an impressive win in the 11th running of the $84,100 Born Runner Classic Thursday, June 18 at Indiana Grand.

Beach Cartel, an eight-year-old near white son of Escondido Beach, was overlooked in an impressive field of starters, including 2019 Indiana Quarter Horse of the Year Beach Treat. Starting from post eight, he broke well but most of the attention was in the center of the pack as Abe and Edgar Diaz and Beach Bum Eddie with L.D. Martinez were battling it out. Beach Cartel continued to gain momentum and in the final strides of the race, rolled right on by for the win. The Randy Smith-trained veteran was a half-length ahead of stablemate Beach Mercedes ridden by Shanley Jackson, who tracked the big grey to the finish line. Abe bested Beach Bum Eddie in a close photo for third. The time of the 400-yard dash was :19.880 seconds.

“I think he gave all he had, and the crew did really good with him,” noted Smith, who has had the gelding since he began racing. “Every horse has his day, and he was due for his. I won’t say I expected it, but I’ll sure dog-gone take it.”

Smith, Indiana Grand’s all-time leading Quarter Horse trainer, has won 24 career stakes races at Indiana Grand. Of that total, four have been recorded with Beach Cartel, who won divisional honors at three. He was unraced as a two-year-old for owner and breeder Sheri Miller. Miller also stands his sire, Escondido Beach, the state’s top Quarter Horse stallion, at her farm in Shipshewana, Ind.

Beach Cartel, overlooked by bettors, paid $20.20, $9.20, $5.20 across the board. The win in the Born Runner Classic is his second title. He scored the win during the 2016 edition of the event. The win also moved him into fifth place on the list of all-time leading Indiana Quarter Horses with a tally of $449,908 during his career. He now has 16 wins in 34 career starts, all recorded at Indiana Grand.

Live racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 18 with action held Monday through Thursday beginning at 2:20 p.m. Four Saturday programs are slated for all-Quarter Horse days with a preliminary first post set at 2:20 p.m. July 4, Aug. 8, Oct. 23 and Oct. 24. Continuing in line with Governor Holcomb’s plan to return to full operations for businesses in the state of Indiana, no spectators are allowed at this time.

(Photos by Coady Photography - Trophy Presentation by Eric Halstrom (far right), VP & GM of racing at Indiana Grand)