Indiana Grand’s Leading Quarter Horse Jockey Summarily Suspended

Samuel “Sammy” Mendez, currently the leading Quarter Horse jockey at the Indiana Grand meet in Shelbyville, Ind., has been summarily suspended and is awaiting a hearing before the track's board of stewards.

A ruling dated Sept. 15 said Mendez is “hereby summarily suspended for actions not in the best interest of racing and which compromise the integrity of operations at a racetrack.” The ruling said the infraction occurred on Sept. 4, when Mendez won with three of nine starts – all for trainer Randy M. Smith – including the $84,200 Bob Woodward Memorial Classic Stakes and the $108,591 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Derby.

Multiple sources told the Paulick Report that Mendez is being investigated in connection with discovery of an illegal electrical device.

A hearing was originally scheduled for Sept. 20 but has been postponed while an investigation continues, according to Deena Pitman, executive director of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission.

Mendez, who was last seen in the saddle on Sept. 13, primarily rides for Smith, Indiana Grand's all-time leading Quarter Horse conditioner and leading the trainer standings there from 2015-'20.

Mendez won the 2020 Quarter Horse riding title.

Mendez has won with 38 of 138 mounts during the current meet. Smith has 62 wins from 287 starts, more than double his closest pursuer.

The most recent Quarter Horse jockey penalized for possession of an illegal electrical device at Indiana Grand was Juan Guerrero, who was suspended 10 years and fined $5,000 in 2015.

On Aug. 11, 2015, officials were tipped off that Guerrero would have an electrical device with metal prongs sticking out of holes cut in the palm of a glove while riding in the 10th race. After being stopped by security following the race, Guerrero ran off toward the jockeys room and was seen throwing an item toward the track's casino. The next day an electrical device was found in that area. One of Guerrero's gloves had two holes punched in it.

The horse Guerrero rode to victory in the race in question was Stone Toasted, trained by Randy M. Smith.

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Gormley Firster Relishes The Slop at Indiana Grand

2nd-Indiana Grand, $34,000, Msw, 9-20, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:04.86, sy, 3 1/4 lengths.
AWESOMELY SHY (f, 2, Gormley–Awesome Story, by Awesome Again) was pegged at morning-line odds of 9-2, but was completely friendless in the market and was off at 12.50-1 for a high-percentage outfit based south and east at Belterra Park. Straightened out after breaking a bit to her right, the homebred cut out a decent pace on the front end, increased her advantage in upper stretch and was punched out to best even-money Abuela's Humor (Distorted Humor) by 3 1/4 lengths. The 10th winner for her freshman sire (by Malibu Moon), Awesomely Shy is out of a winning daughter of MSW Drexel Monorail (Glitterman), herself a full-sister to the useful MGSW sprinter Champali. Awesome Story foaled a full-sister to the winner this year and was bred back to Cloud Computing. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $20,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart.
O/B-Paul King (KY); T-Aaron M West.

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Indiana Grand Adds to ’21 Season

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) approved Thursday Indiana Grand Racing & Casino's request for four additional racing days for the 2021 season. The track, which will now offer 123 days of live racing in 2021, will run Monday, Oct. 11 (Columbus Day) and continue through Nov. 11. The previous closing day was set for Monday, Nov. 8. Increased business this season has contributed to adding the four additional racing days in addition to the growth of the local horse population, increasing demand for additional racing opportunities in Indiana. Also, the Columbus Day card will be used to make up for the cancellation of a day of racing in August due to extreme heat.

“We're very pleased to be in a position where we are able to request additional racing dates at the end of our current 120-day meet,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “The Indiana horsemen, our loyal partners, are very deserving of these additional opportunities and, upon approval from the IHRC, we'll end our meet with a bang on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11.”

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Indiana Grand Adds Four Race Dates To 2021 Season

Indiana Grand Racing & Casino has requested four additional racing days for the 2021 racing season. The dates were approved Thursday, Sept. 16 by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC). The track will now offer racing on Columbus Day Monday, Oct. 11 and extend the final day of racing to Thursday, Nov. 11. The previous closing day was set for Monday, Nov. 8.

Several factors played into the request for additional racing days. Business levels have exceeded expectations this season to cover purses over four additional racing days plus the horse population is growing for the final two months of racing with horsemen seeking additional racing opportunities in Indiana. Also, one day was canceled in August due to extreme heat, which will be considered a make-up day on Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 11.

“We're very pleased to be in a position where we are able to request additional racing dates at the end of our current 120-day meet,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “The Indiana horsemen, our loyal partners, are very deserving of these additional opportunities and, upon approval from the IHRC, we'll end our meet with a bang on Veteran's Day, November 11.”

The 2021 racing season will now offer 123 days of live action. First post on Monday, Oct. 11 through Thursday, Nov. 11 will be 2:25 p.m.

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, with first post on Thursday through Nov. 4 set 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.

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