SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Aug. 21, 2019) – There were no expectations from Expect Indy in the 17th running of the $100,000 Shelby County Stakes. She finished second in last year’s race and had ventured off to other states to compete. She came back to Indiana earlier this summer and her connections had her primed and ready for this year’s edition. Expect Indy and Emmanuel
Esquivel breezed right on by for the win Wednesday, Aug. 21.
Starting from post seven in the bulky field of 12, Expect Indy and Esquivel got away in mid-pack during the six-furlong race as race favorite Unbridled Class and Rodney Prescott rolled out to the lead as expected. Unbridled Class had company down the backstretch with Polarizing and Fernando De La Cruz to her outside and Niece Jackie Davis and Jack Gilligan traveling to the outside of Polarizing in the early stages of the race.
Around the turn, Unbridled Class was able to shake loose from her opponents and was in a prime position to finish strong in the stretch. First Lady Maggie and Angel Serpa were on the outside and appeared to be the only threat for the final quarter. However, Expect Indy had saved ground along the inside and quickly came up the rail to place herself in contention. As soon as he had daylight, Esquivel moved Expect Indy out alongside Unbridled Class and took control of the race, winning by one-half length in 1:10.88. Unbridled Class finished a strong second over Hay Little Bit and Andres Ulloa, who closed from the back to finish third.
“She (Expect Indy) broke well and she breaks best when you leave her alone at the break,” said Esquivel, who flew in from Pennsylvania to ride Expect Indy. “She settled into a nice spot and we worked our way through and then I let her go. I’m very happy with her performance and thank her connections for allowing me to ride.”
Owned by Andrew Berg’s Gumpster Stable, Expect Indy earned her 10th career win in 34 starts and her second stakes win at Indiana Grand. Cipriano Contreras trains the six-year-old mare by Mr. Mabee, who stood at Lake Shore Farm in Scottsburg, Ind.
“She (Expect Indy) ran a big race, maybe the best effort so far,” said Contreras. “She’s been racing out of state against some tough competition. She’s probably a little better going longer but she ran so well in her last start at six furlongs, we decided to wait for this stakes race to run her.”
Expect Indy, the second choice of the field, paid $6.60, $2.80, $2.10 across the board. She increased her career bankroll to more than $375,000. Breeder Gale Bess was trackside to see his former foal from Lake Shore Farm perform.
“She (Expect Indy) is actually by one of the stallions we stood at our farm,” said Gale Bess, manager at Lake Shore Farms. “We don’t have her mother anymore. We sold her at Keeneland. Between 2010 and 2016 we stood six stallions and had about 30 brood mares of our own, but we have scaled back. It was great to watch her win as the breeder.”
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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Photos by Coady Photography
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