SHELBYVILLE, IN—OCTOBER 21, 2017—Trainer Larry Sharp had a lot to cheer about in the final strides of the 21st running of the $134,400 Governor’s Stake.

He saddled three for the final and two of them were battling it out in the final strides for the win. BS Special was able to fend off La Vencedora right at the wire for the mild upset, giving Sharp a one-two finish in the race.

Starting from post nine in the 10-horse final, BS Special had earned her spot in the final by winning her trial, but all eyes were on La Vencedora, the fastest qualifier and the most celebrated horse of the field.

La Vencedora, winner of the RG2 $1 million Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Futurity earlier this year, had a mild misstep out of the gate right to the inside of BS Special, giving Jockey David Pinon the early edge in the 350-yard dash.

It was clear halfway through the race that the top two were the ones to beat. Side by side, BS Special and La Vencedora began their battle, and neither filly was giving in an inch. Jockey

James Flores had ridden both fillies to victory in the trials and it was no surprise he chose La Vencedora in the final. He was aware that BS Special would give it her all en route to the finish line and it would take a big effort to get by her.

Although La Vencedora closed in during the final few strides, BS Special was able to maintain control of the race, winning by just the margin of a head at the finish over La Vencedora.

All American Ease and Cristian Esqueda maintained positioning on the inside to finish a comfortable third in the race that stopped the timer in :17.740 seconds.

"I am surprised every time I ride this filly (BS Special)," said Pinon, who is now undefeated on her in three outings. "Every time, she has given me a little more. I got her out of the gate and looked over and La Vencedora looked like she slipped just a little. If it had been the other way around, I’m not sure what would have happened."

BS Special, owned by Duane Murphy, paid $10.00, $4.00 and $3.20 across the board. The daughter of Freighttrain B is now five for seven lifetime.

The homebred filly bred and raised by Barley and Sharp Farm of Missouri, now has more than $114,000 on her books for Murphy. She and La Vencedora have been stabled side by side at Indiana Grand since before the trials for the Governor’s Stake held Oct. 7.

"I’m pretty winded," added Pinon during a post race interview with Martha Claussen, Wrangler Q-Racing Ace who was on hand to assist with the final all-Quarter Horse racing night of the 2017 meet. "She kept going after the wire. I had trouble pulling her up."

La Vencedora is a daughter of multiple stakes sire Ivory James from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Shakem. John and Brant Barley own the Oklahoma-bred filly who picked up $26,880 to increase her earnings total to $415,086. Bobby D. Cox is the breeder.

Third-place finisher All American Ease was also bred by Bobby Cox. Matt Frazier conditions the American Runaway gelding for owner Glenn Graff. Out of the First Down Dash mare All About Ease, All American Ease earned $13,440. Cesar Gomez was riding.

You Were Right, Racanteur, Sr Shambles, Shonuff Mvp, Scream Baby, Cappy and Wrs Quick Secret completed the field.

Trainer Larry Sharp will return back to Missouri with trophies for three of the five stakes races on the card. In addition to his win with BS Special, he also saddled Tommy The Train to a win in the QHRAI Derby and Apollitical Man to a win in the Indiana Championship Stake.

Sharp completes his 2017 season at Indiana Grand with an impressive stat line of eight wins in 12 starts for a 67 percent win percentage and an 83 percent top three percentage. Horses under his care have raked in more than $272,000 during the season.

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The Governor’s Stake is one of the oldest pari-mutuel Quarter Horse stakes in the state of Indiana. It was part of the trio of races that kicked off pari-mutuel racing in the state in 1997 at Hoosier Park.

The race was moved to Indiana Grand when the state moved all Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing to Indiana Grand and Hoosier Park kept all Standardbred racing at their facility. The race was part of a five-stakes evening for Indiana Grand, which featured more than $572,000 in purses for the sprinters.

In addition to the appearance by Claussen, the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) provided a long-sleeved shirt giveaway along with $2 race wagers to fans attending the final all-Quarter Horse night of 2017.

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.

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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.