Unbridled Victory, Cash Logistics Victorious On Indiana Champions Day

The state's best Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses were in the spotlight Saturday, Oct. 30 during Indiana Champions Day at Indiana Grand in Shelbyville, Ind., featuring purses in excess of $1.3 million. Included on the card were four Thoroughbred Stakes, kicking off the day with the 24th running of the Indiana Stallion Stakes – Filly Division.

Unbridled Victory and Marcelino Pedroza Jr. made their presence known early and went straight to the lead in the six-furlong sprint over a very muddy track. The duo held tough throughout to win by one length at the wire over Everything's Rosy and Eddie Perez. No Trust and Sammy Bermudez closed late for third.

Unbridled Victory is trained by Bernie Flint and owned by Miles Childers, Ed Wright Cattle Company, and L.T.B. Inc. It was the second career win in the third start for the Unbridled Express freshman filly, who just broke her maiden in the start before in early October.

Joining Unbridled Victory as a two-year-old winner on the card was Mr Chaos in the 23rd running of the Crown Ambassador Stakes. Ridden by Rodney Prescott, the Turbo Compressor gelding was making only his second career start in the event, but was an impressive winner in his racing debut to be tagged as the favorite. Prescott got away in mid-pack before moving up into third to track the leaders a little closer as the field turned for home.

In the stretch, Mr Chaos got the lead and was a comfortable winner by one and three-quarter lengths, giving Prescott his 3,997th career win. Too Bad Justice and Joe Ramos held gamely for second while Me and Chili and Marcelino Pedroza Jr. finished third.

“He stepped back a little at the break, but he finished strong and ran a real nice race,” said Prescott. “Rob (Dobbs) has done a really nice job with this horse.”

Mr Chaos is trained by Robert Dobbs Jr. and is owned by Judy Dorris and Ken Sentel. The freshman is now two for two in his brief career with earnings in excess of $80,000.

Older horses were featured in the second running of the $150,000 Unreachable Star Stakes. Cash Logistics and Alex Achard got away near the lead and sat along the outside of Barefootbootlegger and Eddie Perez early before moving on and opening up on the field in the stretch. The four-year-old son of Unbridled Express was a winner by five and three-quarter lengths at the wire over Uphold and Tommy Pompell. Max Express and Sammy Bermudez finished third.

Cash Logistics is trained by Genevieve Londono for owners James and Charlie Hancock. It was his fourth win of the year in eight starts with seven career wins now tallied. He moved his career earnings over $358,000.

The connections of Unreachable Star were trackside to provide a $500 donation to Friends of Ferdinand in honor of the former Indiana champion who was the 2009 Horse of the Year and earned more than $775,000 during his career. David and Loren Osborne have been big supporters of racehorse aftercare programs and wanted to do something to give back to Indiana racing during Indiana Champions Day. Friends of Ferdinand is the only accredited Thoroughbred aftercare program and works directly with many trainers at Indiana Grand to retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds once their racing days have been completed.

[Story Continues Below]

The final Thoroughbred stakes race of the day also honored a former champion with the $150,000 Lady Fog Horn Stakes. The race, named in honor of Indiana's all-time leading mare, Lady Fog Horn, who has in excess of $824,000 in earnings, brought out the state's best older females. Fireball Baby was the race favorite and she proved why she deserved so much support with an impressive win by four lengths, well under wraps by Marcelino Pedroza Jr. The Noble's Promise was behind horses for most of the one and one-sixteenth mile event, but found the room she needed along the inside, scooting through and exploding to the lead. Diamond Solitaire and John McKee were widest in the stretch to close for second over Expect Indy and Emmanuel Esquivel for third.

Fireball Baby is a homebred by Richard and Tammy Rigney's Rigney Racing. It was her seventh career win and a repeat in the Lady Fog Horn. The win also catapulted her into the state's top five all-time earners with a tally of nearly $550,000 in career earnings. Philip Bauer has handled the training duties for the flashy chestnut mare, who is now five.

“I had a lot of confidence in this mare today,” said Pedroza Jr., who scored three wins on the card. “I worked her earlier in the week and she worked amazing, so that gave me a lot of confidence coming into today. I told Philip (Bauer) she has a lot of heart, and she showed it today.”

The Thoroughbred portion of the afternoon was presented by the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association with numerous giveaways and a reception in the first floor Derby Suite. The day brought a successful Indiana stakes season to a close, which offered more than $4 million in purses on the year throughout the 123-day racing season.

The 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is now in progress and continues through Thursday, Nov. 11. Live racing is conducted at 2:25 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 11. First post all other Thursdays leading up to the end of the meet begin at 3:25 p.m. A special Indiana Champions Day highlighting the state's top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses will be held Saturday, Oct. 30, beginning at noon. More information about the 2021 racing season is available at www.caesars.com/indiana-grand.

The post Unbridled Victory, Cash Logistics Victorious On Indiana Champions Day appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Carmichael, Gaskin Inducted Into Indiana Horse Racing Hall of Fame

The Indiana Horse Racing Association held its annual banquet to honor and induct two new members to the Hall of Fame Sunday, Oct. 24 at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. Dr. James Carmichael, inducted posthumously, and Ernie Gaskin were the 18th and 19th individuals added to the list of leaders who have worked tirelessly to promote and support horse racing in the state of Indiana.

Dr. James Carmichael was a career advocate for Quarter Horse racing. The graduate of Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine owned a veterinary practice in Sullivan, Ind. prior to his death in 2009. He was one of the initial members appointed to the Quarter Horse Breed Development Committee.

Gaskin was an initial member of the Standardbred Breed Development committee and brought a wealth of knowledge on racing. Rick Moore, Vice President and General Manager of Racing at Harrah's Hoosier Park, pointed out Gaskin's endless hours working to establish a breeding and racing program in the state as well as his work on related projects such as lobbying for casino gaming at racetracks, enhancing the breed development funding, and providing positive solutions to better the sport. Moore also noted Gaskin's success as a trainer in the state.

The post Carmichael, Gaskin Inducted Into Indiana Horse Racing Hall of Fame appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

‘So Much More Potential’: California Angel Has Leonard Excited For First Breeders’ Cup

California Angel, the 2-year-old filly phenom from the stable of trainer George Leonard III, turned in her final work in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at her training base of Indiana Grand. The filly worked five furlongs under former jockey and exercise rider Emmanuel Cosme in an easy 1:01.0.

“She (California Angel) worked really well,” said the soft-spoken Leonard. “Everything went as planned. She will ship out Monday to California.”

California Angel, the daughter of California Chrome, will be sent via Fed Ex Monday, Nov. 1 to her destination in California. Leonard will leave ahead of the filly on Sunday while owners Chris and Alan Walsh of Columbus, Ind. are slated to leave Wednesday. Several friends and family members from Indiana as well as Leonard's home state of Louisiana are also making the journey out to support California Angel for the event.

Purchased for $5,500 at the Ocala Breeders' June Sale, Leonard immediately knew he had a nice addition to his barn.

“I've trained a lot of horses, but I knew right away she was something special,” said Leonard. “I've only had her four months, but she does everything so easy.

I have the best horse I've ever touched.”

California Angel has had three starts so far, winning two, including the Grade 2, $200,000 Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland Oct. 13 which was a “Win and You're In” race for the Breeders' Cup. This will mark the first start for the Walsh's and Leonard in the prestigious event.

Leonard is not concerned about the filly's come-from-behind style, nor the sixteenth-of-a-mile decrease in distance she'll have to traverse the Breeders' Cup. In fact, the trainer said he was surprised to see California Angel behind horses since she shows so much speed and desire to run during morning training.

“California Angel has not shown her full potential, with the speed she shows in the morning time,” Leonard said on the NTRA media teleconference on Wednesday. “I know she has so much more potential… I'm hoping with a good draw and a little maturity, she'll be able to be a little closer (early on).”

California Angel breezes at Indiana Grand on Oct. 27

The post ‘So Much More Potential’: California Angel Has Leonard Excited For First Breeders’ Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Dr. James Carmichael, Ernie Gaskin Inducted Into Indiana Horse Racing Association Hall Of Fame

The Indiana Horse Racing Association (IHRA) held its annual banquet to honor and induct two new members to the Hall of Fame Sunday, Oct. 24 at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. Dr. James Carmichael, inducted posthumously, and Ernie Gaskin were the 18th and 19th individuals added to the prestigious list of leaders who have worked tirelessly to promote and support horse racing in the state of Indiana. Rachel McLaughlin served as emcee for the ceremony.

Dr. James Carmichael, a longtime resident of Sullivan County, was a career advocate for Quarter Horse racing. The graduate of Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine owned a veterinary practice in Sullivan, Ind. prior to his death in 2009. He was one of the initial members appointed to the Quarter Horse Breed Development Committee. Carmichael was instrumental in developing the program for owners and breeders that has flourished over the past 25 years. He was later appointed to the Thoroughbred Breed Development Committee and was elected chairman.

Randy Beard, longtime friend of Carmichael, provided a look at Carmichael's career in racing and talked about how he joined his father, Eugene, at an early age to run Carmichael Stock Farm. The official resolution was read by Brian Elmore, also a native of Sullivan County and family friend, prior to the unveiling of the portrait of Carmichael.

Jan Carmichael, Jim's wife, accepted the award on behalf of Jim, and was joined by family members during the induction. Jan noted Jim's love of horses and his dedication to racing during his life.

“I want to thank the IHRA for this wonderful honor,” said Jan. “Jim would have been so proud to see how racing has evolved in Indiana, and he would be so happy to be recognized for his involvement. He loved racing and horses so much. My family and I thank you for honoring him with this award.”

Following the induction of Carmichael, Rick Moore, Vice President and General Manager of Racing at Harrah's Hoosier Park, provided a look at Ernie Gaskin's life in racing. He arrived in Indiana in the early 1990s and it didn't take long for industry leaders to recognize his expertise and leadership in the sport. Gaskin was an initial member of the Standardbred Breed Development committee and brought a wealth of knowledge on racing from his days working as an assistant trainer for Bill Haughton, Hall of Fame driver and trainer.

Moore pointed out Gaskin's endless hours working to establish a breeding and racing program in the state as well as his work on related projects such as lobbying for casino gaming at racetracks, enhancing the breed development funding, and providing positive solutions to better the sport. Moore also noted Gaskin's success as a trainer in the state. He has two leading trainer titles to his credit at Harrah's Hoosier Park and conditioned four Indiana Sires Stakes champions in addition to hundreds of other horses that have prospered over the past 25 years.

Following the reading of the resolution by Moore, Gaskin was welcomed to the stage by a standing ovation before delivering an emotional heartfelt speech to the room.

“I have to thank my partner, my wife, Darla,” said Gaskin. “She should be in this photo with me. She has worked so hard right along with me to make racing a success in Indiana. One thing I learned from Bill Haughton is 'surround yourself with good people' and wow, what a great group of people we have here in Indiana. We have come a long way in the program and there are so many people who helped along the way. I'm so very proud of where we are now and what we have all accomplished.”

Both portraits of Carmichael and Gaskin were painted by artist Melinda Spear-Huff of Sheridan, Ind. They will join the other 17 portraits on IHRA Hall of Fame display on the Mezzanine at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino.

The IHRA, a non-profit organization, was formed in 2014 to recognize, educate, and preserve the history of horse racing in the state of Indiana. A board of seven currently oversees the operations of the IHRA, including Joe Davis, President of the Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing at Indiana Grand, Paul Martin, President of the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana, Trent McIntosh, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Harrah's Hoosier Park, Rick Moore, Vice President and General Manager of Racing at Harrah's Hoosier Park, Joe Putnam, President of the Indiana Standardbred Association, and Steve Jarmuz, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino.

The post Dr. James Carmichael, Ernie Gaskin Inducted Into Indiana Horse Racing Association Hall Of Fame appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights