Local Sports

WRs Valentino scores top spot in Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby trials at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino

WRs Valentino and jockey Berkley Packer scored the quickest of three trials for the Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby Saturday, June 22. The three-year-old son of Mighty B Valiant won his trial in :19.941 to lead the top 10 into the $50,000 Indiana Grand QHRAI Final set for the second all-Quarter Horse racing night of 2019 Saturday, July 6.

 

Packer had WRs Valentino ready to roll when the gate sprung and was in contention all the way through the 400-yard dash. The Kentucky bred gelding got a small advantage midway through and retained the top spot at the wire, fending off late closers La Jolla Diamante and Edgar Diaz, who finished second by a head. Serious Side, ridden by Fernando Morin, finished third.

 

WRs Valentino picked up his fourth career win in his sixth career start for owners Williams Racing Stable. They also bred the gelding, who was making his first start of the year under the direction of trainer Randy Smith.

 

The win for Packer was significant as it placed him in the lead among all Quarter Horse jockeys for the first time in 2019. Packer now leads the standings with 10 wins over Leonardo Rodriguez, who is in second place with nine wins. Packer has also accumulated the most purse earnings among all Quarter Horse jockeys thus far with more than $167,000 to his credit.'

 

In the first two trials for the Indiana Grand QHRAI, it was two horses from the Ricardo Martinez barn who brought home the top prize. Unwritten Law fought hard throughout to score his victory by a neck in :20.197 to rank fifth on the final list while Packin Secrets scored his trial in a time of :20.185 seconds, the fourth fastest time. Both horses were ridden to victory by Jorge Garcia.

 

The full field set for the Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby, with jockey and time, includes: WRs Valentino (Berkley Packer, :19.941); La Jolla Diamante (Edgar Diaz, :19.965); Serious Side (Fernando Morin, :20.130); Packin Secrets (Jorge Garcia, :20,185); Unwritten Law (Jorge Garcia, :20.197); Pritty (Jose Beltran, :20.252); Hospitaliti (Shanley Jackson, :20.285); Beaus Coupe (Fernando Morin, :20.297); Bits Leaving You (Jose Beltran, :20.320); and Worth Doing Right (L.D. Martinez, :20.333). In addition to Packin Secrets and Unwritten Law, Martinez will saddle Pritty, giving him three for the final.  Trainer J. Guadalupe Arevalo will saddle two, Serious Side and Beaus Coupe.

 

The $50,000 Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby will join the $40,000 Bradford Stakes on Saturday, July 6. The evening, dedicated to all Quarter Horse racing, will include trials for the Blue River Derby and the Heartland Futurity. The evening will also feature special giveaways and contests courtesy of the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana.

 

Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 6. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:15 p.m. and Saturday at 6:15 p.m. More information about the season is available at www.indianagrand.com.

Search

Weather


Obits

Entertainment