The Kid Pataky and Sammy Bermudez were on a mission.
The duo left the gate with authority from post ten and earned the win in the $100,000 Indiana Stallion Fillies Stakes to kick off the premier racing program of Indiana Champions Day Saturday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
The Kid Pataky shot out of the starting gate and was on top of the field of 12 Indiana sired fillies in the six-furlong in the first few strides. Jockey Sammy Bermudez had a big hold on the filly as they moved down the backstretch by open lengths in front of a trio of horses who moved together vying for second early on. Around the turn, The Kid Pataky was still in control on the lead. Martz Rosey and Alberto Pusac saved ground along the inside as Rafaella and Hannah Leahy held their ground on the outside.
As the field turned for home, The Kid Pataky still had an open length lead, but Martz Rosey began to move up the rail and close the gap. Rafaella began to also close in on the outside. Martz Rosey got a head in front a few times, but The Kid Pataky fought back. Rafaella was gaining on the top two as all three fillies were together at the wire. The Kid Pataky got the edge, winning by a head over Rafaella. Martz Rosey finished another head back on the inside.
“Since the first time, I have always liked her,” said Bermudez of The Pataky Kid. “She’s been getting better and better. I noticed in the post parade she was calm today. I could see a big difference. She is like her sister (Zupita). She likes competition and she likes to run.”
The Kid Pataky was the favorite, paying $3.80 for the win. The Pataky Kid two-year-old is owned and bred by Swifty Farms Inc. based in Seymour, Ind. Tony Cunningham trains the filly, who is now two for four in her young career.
“I met Jerri (Harmon) the farm manager at Swifty a few years ago at a Quarter Horse sale,” added Cunningham. “I thank her and the owners for trusting us with these horses.”
The Kid Pataky now has more than $90,000 on her card. Bermudez has been aboard for both of her wins.
“She ran a great race today,” said Cunningham. “She got tough down the lane. I thought she was going to get beat at one point, but she fought for it. I don’t think she saw them, but the way she dug in was really exciting. The funny thing is, the first time I ran her she blew the turn, went five wide, so to see her finish like this was something else.”
For Cunningham, he has a long history of success from the beginning of Quarter Horse racing in the state in 1997. A native of Michigan, he is currently the leading Quarter Horse trainer in 2023 and is the all-time leading owner for the sprinters. He has branched out into Thoroughbreds the past few years and his whole team works with both breeds now in Indiana.
“It’s been unreal this year,” said Cunningham. “To have success with our Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses has been really amazing.”
The 21st season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Friday, Nov. 17. Live racing is held Monday through Thursday. First post Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is 2:30 p.m. Thursday and select Friday racing begins at 2:10 p.m. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis.
