Racing


LF Curly Stuns Field in $188,200 Miss Roxie Little Futurity at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
Lf Curly (#6) battles to the wire over Be Afraid (#10) and Fish Head (#3) in the $188,200 Miss Roxie Little Futurity at Indiana Grand Saturday.

© Linscott Photography
LF Curly Stuns Field in $188,200 Miss Roxie Little Futurity at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino

SHELBYVILLE, IN—OCTOBER 21, 2017—After just barely making the cut to compete in the final, LF Curly proved she was a legitimate contender as she rallied home the winner in the ninth running of the $188,200 Miss Roxie Little Futurity at Indiana Grand Saturday.

The two-year-old filly stunned the field of nine to fend off Be Afraid and Alonso Rivera at the finish for the win, the first of her career.

Starting from post six, LF Curly had no issues getting out of the starting gate and had a straight path during the 350-yard dash.

The daughter of One Famous Versace had a nose in front early and was being pursued strongly by Be Afraid throughout the race. Be Afraid started closing the gap in the final strides of the exciting finish that awarded LF Curly the win by just a nose over Be Afraid. Fish Head and Luis Guerrero was also on the winning end of a tight photo for third, finishing just a nose ahead of Air Born Rio and James Flores for the show spot. The time of the race was :17.992 seconds.

LF Curly, the slowest qualifier for the Roxie Little Futurity Final, was the second longest shot on the board, paying $49.60, $11.60 and $9.80. The small bay filly is bred and owned by Dan Frazier, who was in South Carolina to meet his latest grandchild and watched the race on television.

Martha Claussen interviews winning jockey Shanley Jackson and trainer Matt Fraizer. © Linscott Photography
"I’m glad we got this win for him (Dan Frazier) tonight," said his son, Matt Frazier, who now handles all the training duties for the stable. "We knew the third time out of the gate that this could be a nice filly. She showed us that night what she could do and she could run. We really have to give credit to the blacksmith. He was able to glue four shoes on that were a size bigger because she is small and has such tiny feet. That helped her a lot tonight."

Another aspect that helped LF Curly for her win was the reconnection with Jockey Shanley Jackson. Jackson, who has been the first call rider for the Frazier Stable for the past few years, was injured in a starting gate mishap earlier this year and missed several months of action. He recently returned to the track just in time to ride LF Curly in the trials of the Miss Roxie Little Futurity.

"First of all, I have to give credit to God and thanks to Mr. Matt (Frazier) and his family for putting me on this filly," said Jackson. "Especially since I’m just coming off an injury and just got back. After she just barely qualified for the final, I was a little worried, but Mr. Matt told me, ‘don’t worry about it. I got you,’ and he did. The credit goes to Mr. Matt and his team. They have worked really hard on her since the trials, and she was really good and happy tonight."

LF Curly scored her maiden breaking win in the Miss Roxie Little Futurity in her fourth career start. The addition of the $103,000 to her bankroll was a big boost for her connections to complete her two-year-old season.

"She (LF Curly) will have a nice long winter out in a cold field," added Frazier. "Then we will get her ready for her three-year-old campaign."

Trainer Ricardo Martinez saddled runner-up Be Afraid for owner Carlos Ramos. Bradley D. Lewis bred the son of Tac It Like A Man in Indiana from the Mr Eye Opener mare Cajun Eye Opener. He earned $37,640 for finishing second.

Thrid-place finisher Fish Head races for owner/breeder Lorenzo Faison and trainer Jeannette Hoover. A gelded son of The Crawfish is out of Kook And Collected by First N Kool, Fish Head picked up $18,820.

Air Born Rio, Stone Cold Leader, Dna Bells Bay, Rockys Candy Shop, Beach Treat and Sixes Loaded To Fly completed the field. Jessalilsecret was scratched.

The 15th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Friday, Oct. 27. Racing will be conducted Tuesday through Friday the final week of the meet with a post time of 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.