Copper Nickel shines in Hoosier Breeders Sophomore Fillies Stakes

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (July 8, 2020)— Copper Nickel and jockey Luis Saez romped in the opener of the Indiana Derby Day racing program Wednesday, July 8. The duo covered the one and one-sixteenth mile distance in a time of 1:44.73 for the 12th running of the $75,000 Hoosier Breeders Sophomore Stakes at Indiana Grand.

Starting from post one, Saez had no problems getting the three-year-old daughter of Stroll on the front end early in the six-horse field. Once on top, the filly relaxed and kept a good hold of the lead with Shes the Cause and DeShawn Parker sitting at her heels.

Around the final turn, Copper Nickel kicked into another gear and rallied home for the win by seven and three-quarter lengths as the heavy favorite. Wellington Wonder and Alex Achard maintained ground for second followed by Dontyouremember and Rodney Prescott for third.

Saez, who had never been aboard Copper Nickel before, got some encouragement from trainer Mike Lauer in the paddock before the race.

“He (Mike Lauer) told me to ride her like I owned her,” said Saez, who won the 2014 Indiana Derby aboard East Hall. “She broke big and she was all alone. I could feel her energy. She was relaxed on the lead and picked it up in the stretch and galloped out strong.”

Copper Nickel, still owned by breeder Frank Brown along with Doris Book and Mike South, has two stakes wins to her credit. She was victorious last fall in the $100,000 Miss Indiana Stakes. She now has in excess of $150,000 in career earnings and four wins in eight starts for Lauer.

“The only concern I had coming into the race was she only had one route in her in the last three months,” said Lauer. “But I felt pretty good when no one went after her and she was by herself the first half and going along so easy. I really liked her post today. She is very easy to deal with in the barn and a pleasure to be around. I wish I had a dozen more just like her.”

Lauer, who is Indiana’s all-time leading stakes winning trainer, also saddled third place finisher in the race Dontyouremember. Copper Nickel is now two for two at Indiana Grand this year, winning an allowance sprint to set her up for her first stakes of the season.

“I was impressed more so with this win by her (Copper Nickel) today because it was a better field,” added Lauer. “She won over a route of ground last year and she likes this track.”

Photos by Coady Photography