Racing


BS Special leads way into Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby Final at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
Bs Special, under jockey Berkley Packer, defeats Fast Prize Karen to the fastest qualifying time Saturday night for the Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino.

© Linscott Photography
BS Special leads way into Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby Final at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino

SHELBYVILLE, IN—JUNE 23 2018—BS Special from the Larry Sharp barn proved to be the quickest of 23 vying for a spot in the $50,000 Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby final slated for Saturday, July 7. BS Special, ridden by Berkley Packer, won the first of three trials in a time of :20.065 to lead the top 10 into the final.

Starting from post four in the eight-horse trial, BS Special broke strong from the gate and got his momentum together for the final half of the 400-yard dash, cruising under the wire by one-half length to the victory. Fast Prize Karen and Rodney Prescott maintained ground along the outside for second while All American Ease and Shanley Jackson moved up the inside for third.

Flight To La Jolla, under jockey Shanley Jackson, cruises to the second fastest time for the Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby in second trial on Saturday. © Linscott Photography
Owned by Duane Murphy, BS Special came into the trials as the richest three-year-old with more than $115,000 in earnings thus far in her career. The Freighttrain B filly is no stranger to success in Indiana. She was a winner in the $134,000 Governor’s Stake last fall at Indiana Grand for Sharp. The Barley and Sharp Farm bred filly is now six for nine lifetime.

Twisted Lil Secret (#6) battle My Cousin Perry (#7) in the closing trial Saturday for the Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby.
© Linscott Photography
The second fastest qualifier of the night was Flight to La Jolla, winner of the second trial. The Matt Frazier-trained grey gelding rallied out from the start along the inside and maintained his positioning for the easy win with Shanley Jackson aboard. BP First Down Fling and Gabriel Lagunes finishes second followed by One Dashing Lite and Rodney Prescott for third.

Trainer Randy Haffner had a one-two finish in the final trial of the evening as Twisted Lil Secret and Lagunes rallied home for the win over stablemate My Cousin Perry, taking the race by a slim margin of a nose at the wire. Cappy and Parker rounded out the top three finishers.

CLICK HERE for the top 10 qualifiers for the eighth running of the Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby final, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys.

Haffner will saddle four in the final while trainers Sharp and Frazier will each saddle two.

The Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby will be part of the second all-Quarter Horse racing night of 2018. The evening will also feature the $40,000 Bradford Stakes as well as trials for the Heartland Futurity and Blue River Derby. The Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) will provide t-shirt giveaways along with $2 race wagers to fans stopping by their booth outside the winners circle. Kevin Cox, also known as the Brooklyn Cowboy, will provide additional handicapping assistance during the night.

A total of six all-Quarter Horse racing nights are scheduled for 2018. Other evenings dedicated to the sprinters include Aug. 11, Sept. 15, Oct. 6 and Oct. 27. All dates are Saturday evening programs beginning at 6:05 p.m.

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.

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

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.