SHELBYVILLE, IN—JULY 28, 2018—Trainer Ricardo Martinez came into the 10th running of the Heartland Futurity Final with three of the top four qualifiers, including two that were undefeated in two previous starts.

Although the heavily favored entry Pritty ran into road trouble out of the gate, it was Packin Secrets that brought home the title to the Martinez barn and remains undefeated in three career starts.

Surging out of the gate from post six in the 10-horse Heartland Futurity Final, Packin Secrets and Sergio Ramirez got a good jump on the field and got the early advantage. The Habits Secret gelding kept his mind on the task and rallied home the winner by a neck over inside invader Filthy Rich and Shanley Jackson.

The Martinez-trained Chicazum and Yordanis Amaro stayed close on the outside for third followed by Pritty and Juan Galvan, who recovered to move in for fourth, putting all three of Martinez's entries in the Heartland Futurity Final in the top four.

"He felt a lot better this time," said Ramirez, who is now 10 for 19 this season at Indiana Grand. "He had a clean start this time. Last time, he didn't and he had a lot of problems. That made all the difference tonight."

Also owned by Martinez, Packin Secrets now has more than $55,000 in career earnings. The two-year-old bay gelding also holds special meaning for Martinez as the horse is by his Indiana sire, Habits Secret. However, he's not a registered Indiana bred.

"For him (Packin Secrets) to win an open race by an Indiana sire is great," said Martinez. "He was born accidentally and was just over the border of Indiana in Kentucky, so the timing just wasn't right and he is not a registered Indiana bred."

John A. Wolpert bred Packin Secrets from the Ivory James mare C U Tamale.

The time of the 300-yard dash was :15.590 seconds. The stakes record is held by Woop Dee Doo, another Martinez-trained standout, in a time of :15.348 seconds set in 2015. Packin Secrets paid $11.40, $4.80, $12.00 across the board as the second favorite of the field behind Pritty.

Packin Secrets has several options ahead of him at Indiana Grand. Both he and Pritty are paid into the upcoming QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Futurity set for Aug. 25 with trials to be run Aug. 11 during the third all-Quarter Horse racing night of 2018.

"He (Packin Secrets) comes back for the SSA," added Martinez. "He's also paid into the Governor's Stakes later on. Pritty is also paid into the SSA but we will have to wait and see with her. She got into a little trouble out of the gate so we will see how she comes out of this race. She eventually is going to Texas for some races."

A homebred for Carolyn Bruce, runner-up Filthy Rich is by world champion One Dashing Eagle from the Sc Chiseled In Stone mare Miss Scarlet. Still a maiden from three starts this season, the gray gelding conditioned by Matt Frazier earned $16,320 for his second-place effort.

Oklahoma-bred Chicazum earned $8,160 for finishing third. Also owned-and-trained by Ricardo Martinez, Chicazum is a Dominyun filly out of Zumbaya by Azoom. Bobby D. Cox is the breeder.

Pritty, Little Haywood, Quick Trick, Bv Bobbie Sue, Aka Falsely Accused, Afraid Of Nothing and Myplaceinheaven 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.