SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Aug. 22, 2019) – An extra incentive will be on the line for the $173,370 Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) Stallion Service Auction (SSA) Futurity Saturday, Aug. 24. A special $5,000 bonus will go to the sire of the winner of the race. Escondido Beach has five entrants in the final, including Blue Eyed Newman, who has been tagged as the early morning line favorite for the race.
Owned and bred by Gordon Timm of Michigan, Blue Eyed Newman comes into the final with three wins in four starts. He won the second fastest of four trials to set up the QHRAI SSA Futurity final and has drawn post one. Indiana Grand’s leading Quarter Horse jockey Berkley Packer will ride the Escondido Beach gelding at odds of 2-1 for trainer Randy Smith.
The second favorite of the field also hails from the Smith barn as Shakeitonthebeach has been selected as the second choice of the field at odds of 5-2. Owned by breeder Sheri Miller, who also owns Escondido Beach, Shakeitonthebeach finished second in her trial and has two wins in four starts during his young career. Jose Beltran has been named to ride since Packer, who rode her in the trials, opted to ride Blue Eyed Newman.
The entire field for the final of the QHRAI SSA Futurity, in post position order with jockey and odds includes: Blue Eyed Newman (Berkley Packer, 2-1); SBM Soulja Boy (Cristian Reyes, 30-1); Catchey Rhythm (German Rodriguez, 12-1); Beach Benny (L.D. Martinez, 12-1); Louisiana Lover (Cody Smith, 4-1); HH CJ Shake (Juan Marquez, 9-2); Coronado Coast (Giovani Vazquez-Gomez, 30-1); DNA Dales Cece (Samuel Mendez, 30-1); Cinnamon Beach (Shanley Jackson, 30-1); and Shakeitonthebeach (Jose Beltran, 5-2). Estimated post time for the QHRAI SSA Futurity Final is 10 p.m.
Joining the QHRAI SSA Futurity is the $75,506 QHRAI SSA Derby, set as the 10th and final race of the night. WRs Valentino and Packer will represent the Smith Stable and have been selected as the early morning line favorites at odds of 7-5. Owned and bred by Williams Racing Stables, Inc., WRs Valentino has four career wins in eight starts and just missed the win in his trial. The Mighty B Valiant gelding starts from post two in the 10-horse lineup.
The entire field for the QHRAI SSA Derby, in post position order with jockey and odds, includes: Run Happy (L.D. Martinez, 30-1); WRs Valentino (Berkley Packer, 7-5); Shes Sizzling (Giovani Vazquez-Gomez, 4-1); Bits Leaving You (Juan Galvan, 20-1); Ja B Valiant (Juan Cruz, 9-5); Daddys Moe (Samuel Mendez, 30-1); Coronados Quiksilver (Fernando Morin, 20-1); RC Rayo (Leonel Bolanos, 30-1); Abe (Jose Beltran, 30-1); and Yadi 1 (Uriel Cervantes, 12-1). Estimated post time for the QHRAI SSA Derby is 10:30 p.m.
The Saturday racing program, which begins at 6:15 p.m., will feature “Boots & Brews” Night. Live entertainment will be provided during the races along with free kids’ activities, including face painting, a mechanical bull and an inflatable. Corona Premier will be the featured beverage of the night.
Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 6. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:15 p.m. and Saturday at 6:15 p.m.
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, which is owned and operated by a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), holds multiple awards for customer service, entertainment, gaming, dining, and diversity. Located in Shelbyville, Ind., Indiana Grand features 2,200 of the latest slots and electronic table games in addition to a one-mile dirt race course and a seven-eighths mile turf course offering live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing each year. Simulcast wagering is also offered year-round at Winner’s Circle Brewpub & OTB located on the casino floor as well as a Winner’s Circle OTB located in Clarksville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.IndianaGrand.com. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing at racetracks and 21 or older to gamble at sports books and casinos. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (1-800-994-8448) ©2019 Caesars License Company, LLC.
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Blue Eyed Newman and WRs Valentino
Photos by Coady Photography
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