Louisiana Lover tops Bertram Trials

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Sept. 17, 2020) – Louisiana Lover and Sammy Mendez got back to their winning ways Thursday, Sept. 17 in the first of two trials for the Sterlie Bertram Memorial. The sophomore son of The Louisiana Cartel, earned his fourth win of the year in his fifth start at Indiana Grand, posting the quickest time of :19.663 in the trials.

Starting from the outside post eight, Louisiana Lover wasn’t a main contender early on in the 400 yard dash, but once he got his rhythm, he began to gobble up ground on the outside, striding past Jess Z Bob and Juan Marquez for the win by one-half length. Jess A Flyin Beach and L.D. Martinez finished third.

Owned by Duke Racing LLC, Louisiana Lover was the favorite of the field, paying $3.40, $2.20, $2.10 across the board. Trained by Randy Smith, Indiana Grand’s all-time leading trainer, Louisiana Lover is now eight for 12 in his career.

“I was a little worried about the outside post because I thought he might try to get away from the other horses,” said Smith. “But he’s a racehorse. We will try to get him the best we can get him for the final.”

Louisiana Lover will meet up with other trial winner for the Bertram Final as Beach Benny scored an impressive victory in a time of :19.833, the third fastest behind Louisiana Lover and Jess Z Bob. Beach Benny also started from the outside post and was a little slow to get started but turned it on in the latter half of the race, rolling right on by Kissmelikethat and Erik Esqueda to win by three-quarters of a length. Shakeitonthebeach and Sergio Ramirez led most of the way before finishing third.

Beach Benny is owned and bred by Pam Brickley Hann. He now has two wins in a row, piecing his Bertram trial win with his victory in the $107,000 QHRAI SSA Derby in his last start. Tony Cunningham trains the sorrel son of Escondido Beach, Indiana’s top Quarter Horse stallion.

The entire field for the Bertram Memorial Final, in order of time with jockey, includes: Louisiana Lover (Sammy Mendez, :19.663); Jess Z Bob (Juan Marquez, :19.747); Beach Benny (L.D. Martinez, :19.833); Jess a Flyin Beach (L.D. Martinez, :19.935); Kissmelikethat (Erik Esqueda, :19.976); Shakeitonthebeach (Sergio Ramirez, :20.006); JJ Zoomin (Giovani Vazquez-Gomez, :20.334); Blue Eyed Newman (Sammy Mendez, :20.348); Catchey Rhythm (German Rodriguez, :20.399); and Air Born Desi (Juan Cruz, : 20.573). Both Smith (Louisiana Lover, Shakeitonthebeach, Blue Eyed Newman) and Cunningham (Beach Benny, Jess a Flyin Beach, Catchey Rhythm) will saddle three for the $100,000 final set for the next all-Quarter Horse day Saturday, Oct. 3 with a first post of 9:30 a.m.

Photos by Coady Photography