SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Sept. 11, 2019) – Unbridled Class is always a factor in racing in Indiana. The 25th running of the $100,000 Merrillville Stakes proved to be her time to shine Wednesday, Sept. 11 as the four-year-old grey filly guided by Rodney Prescott scored an impressive win in a time of 1:11.10.
Unbridled Class started off 2019 with four straight wins before finishing second in her last two outings, both stakes races at Indiana Grand. The uber consistent filly was primed and ready for her opponents in the Merrillville Stakes and was out quickly from the gate in the six-furlong contest.
Ever Wonder and Eddie Perez sped out to the lead from the inside, but they were quickly tracked by Unbridled Class and Prescott. The duo opted to sit patiently to the outside as the early tempo was swift, putting a lot of distance between the top three and the rest of the field heading into the only turn of the race.
By the time the field had reached the top of the stretch, Unbridled Class had taken over as the leader and was then tasked with fending off the late chargers, including Expect Indy and Emmanuel Esquivel, winners in the last stakes race, the Shelby County Stakes, at Indiana Grand. But Prescott kept Unbridled Class focused on her job and she was strong through the wire to win by three-quarters of a length over Expect Indy. Obsolete and Jon Court rallied up late to finish third.
“I think she (Unbridled Class) was due,” said owner Ron Hillerich. “We are totally excited about this win. She’s a gift and hasn’t missed the board now in 16 career starts. (Rodney) Prescott rode the hair off of her today. I’m not sure where she will go next, but I will talk to my partner and brains of the operation (Bernie Flint) and let him decide.”
Unbridled Class, owned by Hillerich Racing and Bernie Flint’s L.T.B. Inc., is now eight for 16 in her career. Her bankroll increased to more than $300,000 with the win in the Merrillville Stakes, which was her first career stakes victory. She is now six for nine in 2019.
For Prescott, it was his 75th win of the year at Indiana Grand. The state’s all-time leading jockey is currently ranked second on the list of leading riders this season behind Marcelino Pedroza. A native of Portland, Ind., Prescott has more than 3,800 career wins and has competed in all 25 seasons of racing in the state of Indiana. It was the third win in the historic Merrillville Stakes for Prescott, who also connected for a victory in 2016 with Carmalley Chrome and 2007 with Basin Banannie.
The Merrillville Stakes joins the Indiana Derby as the two oldest stakes races in the state of Indiana. Both began during the inaugural season of pari-mutuel racing at Hoosier Park in 1995.
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