SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022) – Nothin Like You was nothing less than spectacular in the $158,127 Grade 3 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship. Ridden by veteran jockey Stormy Smith, the gelding completed the 400-yard dash in gate to wire fashion in :20.021 seconds.
Nothin Like You was visible from the start with his four yellow race bandages and black and yellow silks. He shot out of the gate and was leading the way early on in the 400-yard dash. Cruising down the center of the track, the gelding continued to dominate his opponents all the way to the wire for the win by one length over B Leaving and Francisco Calderon. Hes Jess Dealin and Ali Rivera finished a nose back in third.
Nothin Like You was one of the favorites, paying $6.20 to win. The Favorite Cartel gelding got back on the winning track after finishing third in his last start and is five for eight in 2022. He pushed his career earnings over the $296,000 mark.
“He ran a perfect race like he does almost always does every time,” said Smith. “He’s a pleasure to ride. After he won the Valley Junction Futurity (at Prairie Meadows) last year, he really matured a lot. After he had the winter off, he came back bigger and stouter.”
Smith noted it wasn’t his first time to ride in Indiana. He used to be a frequent visitor to the state about a decade ago.
“I actually used to come in quite a bit and ride for Connie Barnes,” said Smith. “She trained for Mari Hulman George, and I rode quite a few horses for them.”
The trophy presentation was made by a jockey that has ridden quite a few horses over his career. G.R. Carter, a world champion jockey with nearly 4,000 career wins, presented the trophy to the connections of Nothin Like You and Smith, who he rode against before his retirement. Smith noted he “chased him a lot” during his riding career.
“This is such a great AQHA racing event at the end of the year,” added Carter. “I miss being out there in the action and being part of the show.”
One person that was part of the show for the Adequan Derby was Ron Sheedy, who won the $1,000 Megabet drawing. Sheedy placed his wager on Nothin Like You and went home a winner with more than $3,000 from the winning promotion thanks to the win from Nothin Like You and Smith.
Photos by Coady Photography
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