Racing


Sweet Performance By Rockys Candy Shop In Blue River Derby At Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
Rockys Candy Shop, under leading jockey Jose Beltran, races to victory in the $130,700 Blue River Derby on Saturday at Indiana Grand.

© Linscott Photography
Sweet Performance By Rockys Candy Shop In Blue River Derby At Indiana Grand Racing & Casino

SHELBYVILLE, IN—JULY 21, 2018—It was no surprise that Rockys Candy Shop was as dominant as he was in the 16th running of the $130,700 Blue River Derby Saturday at Indiana Grand. The three-year-old son of Fantastic Corona Jr has been strong all season and rallied home in a gate to wire performance for his first stakes title.

It was a clean break for all 10 finalists in the Blue River Derby. Rockys Candy Shop broke from post one and had his racing game face on, surging to the early lead. Ridden by Indiana Grand's leading Quarter Horse jockey this season Jose Beltran, the gelding maintained the top spot and shifted over halfway through the 400 yard dash to find a path to the wire more a little wider than the rail. In the end, Rockys Candy Shop was a dominant winner by three-quarters of a length.

The winning connections of Rocks Candy Shop accept the Blue Riber Derby stakes trophy Saturday night at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. © Lingscott Photography
Beltran didn't appear to ever ask the horse for more and pushed his fist in the air as soon as the duo crossed the wire to claim the victory. Jessalilsecret and Berkley Packer tracked Rockys Candy Shop the entire race to finish second over Atempting Love and Luis Guerrero, who closed in well for third. The time of the race was :19.745 seconds, a new stakes record for the Blue River Derby.

"This horse is so special," said Beltran. "All the time he is good, no matter what happens. In the gate, another horse can try to flip and this horse never moves. He just sits there patiently and waits until the gate opens."

Rockys Candy Shop was the fourth fastest qualifier heading into the Blue River Derby Final. Beltran had his pick of several that he rode in the trials, but for good reason, he stuck with Rockys Candy Shop. The betting public agreed on the potential performance from the gelding also, choosing him as the race favorite. He paid $6.00, $4.00, $3.20 across the board.

Rockys Candy Shop earned his fifth career win in eight career starts. He is currently three for three this season for owner Lance Finlinson of Greenwood, Ind. Finlinson serves as Industry Relations for the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana.

"First and foremost, I have to thank God for this win," said Finlinson in a post race interview. "It is such an honor to come out here and be part of this. And, Randy (Smith) and Jose (Beltran) do all the work. I'm just the dummy that writes the checks. But it feels great to get this win and it's a lot of fun."

Jessalilsecret races for owner Keith Bode. Johnny Trotter bred the son of second-crop sire Hez Our Secret from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Cranky. The $26,140 second-place check doubled the geldings earings total to $55,304.

Trainer Ron Raper saddled third-place finisher Atempting Love for owner/breeder Mark Michael. Luis Guerrero had the riding call aboard the $13,070 to bring his earnings total to $41,456.

Beach Treat, Beach Mercedes, Kitty Sixup, HQH Fancy Pants, Apollitical Regard, Just Like Sarah and Bono Rhythm completed the field.

Smith had a good night in the Blue River Derby. He saddled four in the race, finishing first and second with Rockys Candy Shop and Jessalilsecret with Beach Mercedes finishing fifth. Smith continues to lead the Quarter Horse standings for all trainers again in 2018, a position he has held for the past five seasons. Smith scored his 25th win of the meet with Rockys Candy Shop. It also pushed him over the $500,000 purse earnings mark for the season.

A native of Broughton, Ill., Smith has long been associated with Quarter Horses, participating in team roping and other performance events. His grandfather raced Quarter Horses and Smith soon found himself following in those footsteps about eight years ago, and went into training full time about six years ago. Since that time, he has built up a strong 100-plus stable in Indiana, which includes several stakes winners. He is the track's all-time leading Quarter Horse trainer and owner and established new records for most wins and money earned in one season in 2015 and most wins (7) in one night in 2016. The stakes victory with Rockys Candy Shop was his 17th career stakes win at Indiana Grand.

The new Blue River Derby stakes record of :19.745 seconds set by Rockys Candy Shop and Beltran eclipsed the old mark set in 2016. Fantastic Six Pack and Cristian Esqueda held the previous mark in :19.796 seconds for trainer Matt Frazier.

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.