Indiana-bred Carimba beats the boys in first career start

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Aug. 6, 2020) – It’s not often you see an Indiana bred weanling bring $155,000 at the sales. But the weanling has blossomed into a winner already. Carimba proved she was worth the investment as she defeated a group of two-year-old colts and geldings in her first career start Wednesday, Aug. 6 at Indiana Grand.

Trained by Wesley Ward, Carimba rallied out of the gate in a flash and led the field of nine from start to finish in the five-furlong $31,000 turf event. As she neared the wire, the advantage for the Kantharos filly continued to increase, eventually winning the race by eight and one-half lengths with jockey DeShawn Parker aboard. Verrazanointhesky and Fernando De La Cruz won a tight photo to finish second over Rockstar Ro and Alex Achard for third. The time of the sprint was 1:00.85.

“She (Carimba) did everything good,” noted Parker. “She broke out good and handled the turf like a professional. She will be really tough moving forward. I didn’t get any instructions on riding her, just got a leg up. But I always know everything from Wesley (Ward) is fast. She got out of the gate and just carried on from there.”

Carimba is owned by Stonestreet Stables and was bred by H. Allen Poindexter, longtime owner and breeder based in Missouri. Earlier this year, Blood Horse did a profile on Poindexter, who noted he currently has 60 mares and although most of his focus is on other states, he had nine Indiana foals this year alone, showing a growing interest in the Indiana breeding program.

Photos by Coady Photography