SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Saturday, June 4, 2022) – Four trials were held to determine the top 10 for the upcoming Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby. One Night Too Long was the fastest of 31 entrants in the preliminary rounds to lead the way into the final at Horseshoe Indianapolis Tuesday, June 28.
One Night Too Long and German Rodriguez were the heavy favorites in the second trial and lived up to the ranking as they coasted home to the win by one length in :20.015, turning in a speed index of 92. Oscar Mike and Cristian Esqueda finished a tight second over Separate Rose and L.D. Martinez for third.
One Night Too Long is trained by Horseshoe Indianapolis’ all-time leading trainer Randy Smith. The filly by Cap de Capi was a $20,000 purchase from the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale for Owner Jeff Wiley. The Texas bred filly is now two for two since arriving in Indiana. She has been among the top three in six of her eight career outings, which were exclusively in Texas before arriving in the Hoosier State.
Newcomer Rock Candy Blue was the second fastest qualifier. He was a convincing winner to kick off the trials. The sorrel gelding by Jess Louisiana Blue is a new addition to the Jessi Vazquez barn for Campos Family Ventures. With Giovani Vazquez-Gomez aboard, Rock Candy Blue took over from the start and led throughout the 400-yard dash, scoring the win by one length in :20.073. A Little Louie and Erik Esqueda finished second over Hidden Prize and Martin Munoz.
Rock Candy Blue was making his first start of 2022, paying $4.80 for the win. The Oklahoma bred was making his first start for his new connections and in Indiana after being purchased out of the Heritage Place Mixed Sale for $88,000 this past winter.
“He was the most interesting horse in the sale,” said trainer Jessi Vazquez about their intent to secure Rock Candy Blue. “And, when we saw him personally, he was huge and beautiful. He was our top choice and the only one we got.”
Since arriving in Indiana, Vazquez noted he’s been a welcome addition to their stable. “He’s been perfect so far in training. He gave us a rodeo at first and he’s a hyper one, that’s for sure. My husband, Giovani, has worked with him from day one. He gallops and grooms and does everything in the barn. We don’t have to do anything special with this horse. We treat him like everyone else in the barn.”
The third quickest trial on the day was secured by Paradyce and Erik Esqueda, another filly purchased out of the Heritage Mixed Sale this past winter for $45,000. Trained by Claudio Barraza, the grey daughter of Corona Cartel, bred by Bobby Cox in Oklahoma, rallied late to get in front of the field, winning by one-half length over Skip to My Lew and Francisco Quintero. Incredible and Rolando Pina finished third.
Paradyce is also owned by Barraza and is now two for two since joining his stable.
Kiss Me at Midnight was the final winner on the day, stopping the timer in :20.210. Trained by Smith, the three-year-old gelding was making his first start of 2022 and made an impressive return for the victory. Juan Marquez rode the Kiss My Hocks gelding to victory, one and one-half lengths ahead of Carter Can and James Flores followed by MG to Fancy Macho and L.D. Martinez.
Kiss Me at Midnight is owned by Gordon Timm and Debbie Smith. He is now four for seven in his young career.
The entire field for the Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby Final, with jockey and time, includes: One Night Too Long (German Rodriguez, :20.015); Rock Candy Blue (Giovani Vazquez Gomez, :20.073); Oscar Mike (Cristian Esqueda, :20.161); Paradyce (Erik Esqueda, :10.183); Separate Rose (L.D. Martinez, :20.205); Kiss Me at Midnight (Juan Marquez, :20.210); A Little Louie (Erik Esqueda, :20.258); Skip to My Lew (Francisco Quintero, :20.289); Incredible (Rolando Pina, :20.321); and Screenshot (Jose Ruiz, :20.352). Trainers Randy Smith (One Night Too Long, Kiss Me at Midnight), Tony Cunningham (Separate Rose, Skip To My Lew) and Claudio Barraza (Paradyce, A Little Louie) will all saddle two for the final.
Photos by Coady Photography
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