SHELBYVILLE, IN—JUNE 22 2018—A Tacky Chick and Jockey Jesus Salazar timed their move just right to win the 16th running of the $48,480 Indiana Grand Classic Friday, June 22 at Indiana Grand. The duo stopped the timer in :20.059 seconds for the 400-yard dash. It was the second straight year for a win in the stakes race, which was formerly known as the Indiana Downs Classic.

Starting from post six in the seven-horse lineup, A Tacky Chick broke well but was out stepped early on by Keen Liaison and Samuel Mendez, who led the field of fillies and mares nearly the entire race. A Tacky Chick put together a late burst that brought her to the wire first, just a neck ahead of Keen Liaison. Apollitical Regard and Cesar Esqueda rounded out the top three finishers.

"I just let her do her job," said Salazar, who is based out of Oklahoma. "Sometimes, when you over ride them, you just get in their way. She did everything perfect today."

It was Salazar's first start at Indiana Grand this season. He is headed back to ride at Fair Meadows in Tulsa on Saturday to ride in the $15,000 Fair Meadows Juvenile Stakes. A regular at Remington Park, the Wichita, Kansas native said he would be back to ride whenever he is needed in Indiana.

Owned by Gilberto Barraza's 3 Colts Racing Corporation, A Tacky Chick paid $8.20, $4.80 and $3.60 across the board. The five-year-old daughter of Tac It Like A Man now has four career wins and in excess of $90,000. She is trained by Claudio Barraza.

"I've had this mare about three months," said Claudio. "My cousin (Gilberto Barraza) owns her. They sent her out to New Mexico to run and found out she was not accredited there, so they brought her back here. She was having trouble at the gate. She kept trying to flip and climb out. We put a flipping halter on her and that seems to have corrected the problem."

The win for Claudio was his first career stakes victory. He's in his first year of training and was making his fifth career start. His first win was recorded opening weekend at Indiana Grand with One Way Outta Here in a maiden event.

"I've been around horses since I was 10," added Claudio. "I've always helped my cousins out. We are stabled at Grant Park in Chicago, so we've been coming down to race this season."

It was the second start of the year for A Tacky Chick. She finished second in her first 2018 start at Indiana Grand in early June in preparation for the Indiana Grand Classic.

Runner-up Keen Liaison races for owner James Black and trainer Erin Thompson. Samuel Mendez had the riding call aboard the Sixes Liaison filly fro the Panther Mountain mare Keens Cat. Gary Hess is the breeder. Keen Liaison earned $9,696.

Trainer Anthony Cunningham saddled third-place finisher Apollitical Regard races for owner-breeder Duke Racing LLC. Cesar Esqueda rode the daughter of leading sire Apollitical Jess from the Corona Cartel mare Cartel Regards.

One Fantastic Gal, BpTres Seis Policy, Cb Come Fly With Me and Prudish Cartel completed the field.

The 16th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 7. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:05 p.m. EST with Saturday racing beginning at 6:05 p.m. EST. Two special Thursday racing dates will be held July 19 and Sept. 6 with a 2:05 p.m. EST post time.

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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.