Packer, Smith win Quarter Horse titles

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Nov. 6, 2019) – Over the past few years, the tough team of Jockey Berkley Packer and Trainer Randy Smith have dominated the Quarter Horse ranks at Indiana Grand. 2019 was no different as Packer earned his third title in the past four years in Indiana.

A native of Idaho, Packer brought 28 horses home as winners during the season out of 159 starts. He earned the most purse earnings of any other Quarter Horse jockey with a little more than $487,000 earned during the 120-day meet that generally includes at least one Quarter Horse race on the card. Packer completed the season with a win in the final race of the year aboard maiden Triple Cranky for Smith.

When asked about his success and who to attribute it to, he immediately turned the attention to Smith.

“Randy’s the man,” said Packer. “They all ran pretty good all year long. I have to thank Randy and his team for the success.”

Packer, who is headed on vacation to Hawaii at the conclusion of the meet at Indiana Grand, will resume riding in Oklahoma at Remington Park in March. His three titles at Indiana Grand is added to seven accumulated in Idaho and one in California at the fairs. Packer claimed the top spot in 2016, 2017 and in 2019.

Packer, who holds a few Quarter Horse riding records at the Indiana track, including most wins by a jockey in one evening five victories in 2016, moves into fifth on the list of all-time leading Quarter Horse jockeys with his success from 2019.

Smith scored his fifth consecutive title in 2019, earning 37 wins in 271 starts with purses in excess of $815,000. The Broughton, Ill. native, who is Indiana’s all-time leading Quarter Horse trainer, now has 250 career wins at the Shelbyville, Ind. track. Smith won two stakes during the season, the Leader of the Class Sale Futurity with Cinnamon Beach and the Gordon Mobley Futurity with Shakeitonthebeach.

“It takes a team,” said Smith. “You have to have a team that works together and works hard to have success.”

Smith, who owns a farm near Indiana Grand, will begin breaking babies soon for the 2020 racing season. He will shuttle back and forth this winter between Indiana and Florida to get his stock prepared for next season. And, if he has any spare time, he may revisit an old hobby this winter.

“A few winters ago, I got in a few roping events in Florida, so if I have time, I may do that again,” added Smith. “It was a lot of fun.”

Kevin Greely (left) director of racing, and Jon Schuster (right) vice president and general manager, make the presentation to Jockey Berkley Packer and Trainer Randy Smith for Leading Quarter Horse Jockey and Trainer. Also in the photo is Rachel McLaughlin, on-air racing analyst for Indiana Grand. Photo by Coady Photography