Valiantinecandyrocks rolls in Indiana Grand Classic

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Aug. 14, 2021) – It’s always nice to see an owner reap rewards with a horse they have raised from a baby, but when that horse is tagged as a favorite, it’s even extra special. That was the scenario for owners Lance and Tammy Finlinson as they watched Valiantinecandyrocks and Sammy Mendez battle for the win in the 19th running of the Indiana Grand Classic Saturday, Sept. 4 at Indiana Grand.

“When this mare was born, Lance immediately liked her,” said Tammy. “I can’t describe how much this mare means to him. This is his baby. He’s just so excited every time she runs.”

Valiantinecandyrocks is out of the Finlinson’s top mare, Jesses Candy, who has produced a roll call of stakes winners in the state of Indiana. The five-year-old mare is part of that heritage as she is now a two-time stakes winner.

Starting from post two, Valiantinecandyrocks and Sammy Mendez rallied out of the gate and was a contender from the start. As the 400-yard dash came to a close, it was evident that Valiantinecandyrocks was the one with the best stride as she pulled away to a one-length win under the wire under a hand ride by Mendez. Relentless Chick and Erik Esqueda held their ground in the center of the track for second followed by Beach Diva and Rolando Pina for third. The time of the sprint was :19.647.

Trained by Randy Smith, Valiantinecandyrocks is now two for three this season. The Valiant Hero mare has in excess of $172,000 in career earnings.

“She is really fast,” continued Tammy. “We thought she had a great chance to win and she has proved herself, but you never know, so we are excited for the win. Whenever she can get out of the gate well, she’s good, and that happened today. Our mare didn’t get in foal so we don’t have any babies coming up next year, but we will have a few for Randy (Smith) in the next few years.”

It was the seventh win of the season for the Finlinsons, who are in second place on the list of leading owners for 2021. They are carrying a 47 percent win percentage this season from their horses.

For Smith, it was one of five wins on the card. Indiana Grand’s all-time leading trainer scored his 52nd win of the year, which brings him two wins away from the record he set in 2019 for most wins in one season by a Quarter Horse trainer (54).

Indiana Grand will host two more all-Quarter Horse racing Saturdays in 2021. The programs for the sprinters are set for Saturday, Sept. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 9. Both days will begin at 10 a.m. Quarter Horse racing will also be featured on Indiana Champions Day Saturday, Oct. 30. More than $1 million in purses are earmarked for the card that begins with four Thoroughbred stakes followed by six Quarter Horse stakes. First post for Indiana Champions Day is 12 p.m.

Photos by Coady Photography