SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022) – Two horses could not be separated at the finish line for the title of the $35,000 Shelbyville Stakes Saturday, Oct. 22. Empire of Grace and On a New Note shared the title in a dead heat with a final time of :20.563.
Empire of Grace and Erik Esqueda got out of the gate quickly and were in contention for the lead from the inside. Dugan Chapel Baby and James Flores had a short lead through the early stages. It wasn’t until later in the 400-yard dash that On A New Note and Juan Marquez got into the mix. Closing in rapidly, On a New Note joined Empire of Grace at the finish line for the win. Dugan Chapel Baby finished third, just a neck back off the winners.
Empire of Grace paid $6.60 for the win while On A New Note paid $2.20 as the race favorite. On a New Note is trained locally by Randy Smith for Brian Gunder while Empire of Grace shipped in from New Mexico to make her racing debut in Indiana for trainer Eloy Navarro and owner Jose Mendoza.
“This was a great opportunity to come up to Indiana and we appreciate the invite,” said Navarro. “She (Empire of Grace) really impressed us tonight and that’s probably the best race she’s had with our stable. She came up from Ruidoso and adapted well to the weather. It’s a little chilly for us, but it didn’t bother her. She raced well and did her job.”
Empire of Grace earned her second career win for her connections in her fourth start for Navarro. It was her first win of 2022, and she increased her bankroll to more than $16,000 with the win. The sorrel four-year-old mare by FDD Dynasty was bred in Texas by Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches LP. Empire of Grace was a $30,000 purchase from the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale in 2019.
For On a New Note, it was her second win in five starts for 2022. The One Fabulous Eagle four-year-old mare was a stakes winner earlier this season in the Horseshoe Indianapolis Classic. She increased her bankroll to more than $167,000. She was a $22,000 purchase from the Heritage Place Yearling Sale in 2019.
Photos by Coady Photography
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