Krystal Stone tops Greene Derby trials

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (May 17, 2022) – Krystal Stone, ridden by Jose Beltran, turned in the quickest time of four trials for the Harley Greene Derby Tuesday, May 17. A total of 37 three-year-olds vied for a spot in the upcoming $75,000 final set for Saturday, June 4.

Starting from post four in the second trial, Krystal Stone was in contention early on for the lead with Lexus Beach and Juan Marquez matching strides. The two Indiana sired sophomores battled to the wire with Krystal Stone getting the edge by a nose at the wire in :17.862. Lexus Beach ended up second on the final list of qualifiers with a time of :17.864.

Owned by Rodrigo Rodriguez, Krystal Stone was making his first start of 2022. The Brimmstone sorrel gelding had three starts last year with no trips to the winner’s circle, making this year’s trip in the Greene Derby trials a maiden breaking effort. Karin Yike trains Brimmstone, who was bred by Indiana’s 2021 Leading Breeder Sheri Miller.

The third fastest qualifier was the winner of the third trial as Sweet Beach scored the win in :17.883. Trained by Randy Smith, the Escondido Beach gelding closed in gamely for jockey Juan Marquez at the finish to win by a nose in a close three-horse photo over Clovis Two Sox (Oscar Macias) and Motoring Molly (German Rodriguez).

Sweet Beach, owned by Keith Bode, was one of two trial winners on the night for Smith, who is the track’s all-time leading Quarter Horse trainer in wins and earnings. Smith also saddled FE Stone Crusher to a win in the final trial with a time of :17.891 seconds. The Brimmstone gelding, owned by Debbie Smith, was ridden to victory by German Rodriguez.

The final trial winner was Stormi Spirits for the Tim Eggleston barn. The Jess Zoomin gelding was making his first start of 2022 after winning three of seven starts last year at two. Ridden by Rolando Pina, Stormi Spirits was a head in front of Our Game Changer and Juan Marquez at the wire. Easy Torero and Erik Esqueda finished another neck back in third. The time of :18.049 was not among the top 10 qualifiers for the final.

The top 10 qualifiers heading to the Greene Derby final, in order of trial time with jockey includes: Krystal Stone (Jose Beltran, :17.862); Lexus Beach (Juan Marquez, :17.864); Sweet Beach (Juan Marquez, :17.883); Clovis Two Sox (Oscar Macias, :17.887); FE Stone Crusher (German Rodriguez, :17.891); Fast N Fancy Stone (German Rodriguez, :17.894); Nachor Favorite (Sergio Ramirez, :17.896); My Royal Maiden (Juan Marquez, :17.900); Motoring Molly (German Rodriguez, :17.905); and Sarahs Violin (Erik Esqueda, :17.912). Randy Smith will saddle six in the final (Lexus Beach, Sweet Beach, FE Stone Crusher, Fast N Fancy Stone, My Royal Maiden, Motoring Molly).

The Harley Greene Derby Final is part of the first All-Quarter Horse racing day of 2022 set for Saturday, June 4. The card will begin at 10 a.m. and will include the $75,000 Born Runner Classic Final as well as trials for the Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby. A total of 26 Quarter Horse stakes are slated for the 2022 racing season, highlighted by the 2022 AQHA Bank of America Challenge Championships set for Saturday, Oct. 22 beginning at 7 p.m. It is the first time the Challenge Championships have been held in Indiana.

Photos by Coady Photography