Racing


HH Kentucky Krome wins QHRAI SSA Derby at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
HH Kentucky Krome, under jockey Oscar Macias, winning the $83,901 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Derby Saturday at Indiana Grand.

© Linscott Photography
HH Kentucky Krome wins QHRAI SSA Derby at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino

SHELBYVILLE, IN—AUGUST 26, 2017—It took most of the 400-yard distance but HH Kentucky Krome proved to be the quickest at the end, earning the win in the 18th running of the $83,901 Quarter Horse Racing Association (QHRAI) Stallion Service Auction (SSA) Derby Saturday at Indiana Grand.

Ridden by Oscar Macias, the three-year-old sorrel son of La Jollaroid won the race in a time of :20.098 seconds.

The winning connections HH Kentucky Khrome accept the QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Derby stakes trophy at Indiana Grand on Friday. © Linscott Photography
Starting from post nine in the 10-horse lineup, HH Kentucky Krome was not the first horse who captured the attention out of the starting gate. Trophy Wife B and Cesar Esqueda got the early nod in mid pack while race favorite Gridiron Girl B and Rodney Prescott pressed on right beside her. It wasn’t until the final strides that the big chestnut appeared he might be a threat at the finish as HH Kentucky Krome hit another gear late in the race.

Powering up on the outside, HH Kentucky Krome was able to pass all of his rivals to earn the victory by a neck over Gridiron Girl B for second. DNA Dales Prospect and Cody Smith maintained positioning, just a nose back in the tight photo for third.

Owned by breeders Larry Carter and John Myers, HH Kentucky Krome, the second favorite of the field, paid $7.40, $3.40, $2.60 across the board. The race was his fifth career trip to the winner’s circle in 14 career tries and marked his first career stakes win after several near misses in the finals. He is trained by Paul Martin of Muncie, Ind.

"The outside post was ultra-important for this horse tonight," said Martin, who serves as the president of QHRAI. "He has drawn inside post positions for all of the other finals and just had tough trips. We have been waiting for our luck to change and when he drew outside, it really helped."

HH Kentucky Krome nearly doubled his career earnings with his win in the QHRAI SSA Derby. He now has in excess of $108,000.

"He ran a great race tonight," added Martin. "These owners (Larry Carter and John Myers) have raised him and to my knowledge, this is their first baby that has made it to the track, so I’m very happy for them. And, he has a half-brother coming up next year that looks just like him. If he’s half as good as this one, we will be in great shape."

Dean and Teresa Gibbs Gridiron Girl B picked up $15,942 to bring her bankroll to $41,162. Randy Haffner trains the Texas-bred daughter of Feature Mr Bojangles from the Oak Tree Special mare Fast Prize Ginger. Bielau Oaks is the breeder.

Randy Smith saddled Dna Dales Prospect for owner DNA Quarter Horses LLC. Noel Alexander bred the Coronas Prospect gelding in Indiana from the Okey Dokey Dale mare Chrystal Dale. The $7,551 third-place check boosted Dna Dales Prospect's earnings total to $93,949.

Trophy Wife B, Izzy Blue Bayou, American Cowgirl 42, American Purr, Powerful Stone, Dnachrystalsfighter and Tru Lee Quick completed the field.

The 15th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Friday, Oct. 27. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:05 p.m. with Saturday racing beginning at 6:05 p.m. A special Thursday program will be held the final week of action on Oct. 26 beginning at 2:05 p.m.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

About Indiana Grand Racing & Casino: Indiana Grand Racing & Casino holds multiple awards from industry publications for customer service, entertainment, gaming and dining. Located in Shelbyville, Ind., Indiana Grand features 2,200 of the latest slots and electronic table games in addition to a one-mile dirt race course and a seven-eighths mile turf course offering live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing each year. Simulcast wagering is also offered year-round at Winner’s Circle Brewpub & OTB located on the casino floor as well as an off-track betting facility located in Clarksville, Ind. For more information, please visit  www.IndianaGrand.com.