SHELBYVILLE, IN—SEPTEMBER 29, 2018—Be Afraid and Sergio Ramirez showed no fear in the 10th running of the $121,600 Sterlie Bertram Memorial Stakes Saturday.

The duo ran down the competition in the last few strides of the race to win the 400-yard event in a time of :19.730 seconds, establishing a new stakes record. The previous record of :19.819 seconds was set by Fantastic Six Pack and Shanley Jackson during the 2016 Bertram Memorial.

Starting from the far outside post 10, Be Afraid broke all alone on the outside and stayed wide early. Tight quarters in the center of the pack had a few horses tangled early. They were all seeking a clear running path, including Rockys Candy Shop and Jose Beltran.

As the field straightened out and began their quest for the wire, it was evident whoever got the advantage inside would have to tangle with Be Afraid in the final strides. In the end, Be Afraid lengthened his stride out and rolled past the opposition to win by one length over Beach Mercedes and Rodney Prescott. Kitty Sixup and Cesar Esqueda also made a nice late bid to move into third.

Be Afraid, who won his trial and posted the second fastest time behind Rockys Candy Shop in the trials, was tagged as the race favorite, paying $5.00, $3.60, $2.40.

The Tac It Like A Man gelding earned his third career win for Trainer Ricardo Martinez.

"He (Be Afraid) had a good post position tonight and he took advantage of it," said Martinez. "He's pretty much done now for the rest of the season."

Be Afraid completes his three-year-old campaign with three wins in four starts and earnings in excess of $86,000 after a solid campaign at two. He now has more than $200,000 in his career and five wins in 10 lifetime starts for owner Carlos Ramos. Bradley Lewis bred Be Afraid from the Mr Eye Opener mare Cajun Eye Opener.

For Martinez, it was the 17th win of the season in the Quarter Horse ranks. The Chicago-based trainer has had an outstanding season, earning victories in 17 of his 39 starts at the track to maintain a 44 percent win average. Martinez is currently in third place among all Quarter Horse trainers for 2018 with accumulated purse earnings of more than $306,000. He is also leading the Quarter Horse Owner standings for 2018 with eight wins.

Runner-up Beach Mercedes races for owner/breeder Sheri Miller and trainer Randy Smith. Rodney Prescott was aboard the stakes winning Escondido Beach filly from the Feature Mr Jess mare Jess Alive Bully. She earned $24,320 to increase her bankroll to $128,435.

Multiple stakes-placed Kitty Sixup earned $12,160 for third. Erin Thompson conditions the son of Sixes Liaison out of Keens Cat by Panther Mountain. Owned by Thompson and Deane Lehman, Kitty Sixup has banked $54,666 this season. Gary Hess bred the gray gelding.

Completing the official order of finish were Jessalilsecret, Hqh Fancy Pants, Beach Treat, Apollitical Regard, Hf Dont Temp Me, Rockys Candy Shop and Pappa Sleeps N Silk.

Quarter Horses will take center stage Saturday, Oct. 6 for the fifth of six all-Quarter Horse racing nights during the 2018 racing season. The card will feature trials for the Miss Roxie Little Futurity and Governor's Stakes as well as the QHRAI Derby.

The finals are slated for the final all-Quarter Horse night of 2018 set for Saturday, Oct. 27 featuring an appearance by nationally known Quarter Horse racing analyst Martha Claussen. The evening will also include $2 race wagers and long sleeved t-shirts to fans while supplies last courtesy of the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI).

The 16th season of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 7. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:05 p.m. with Saturday racing beginning at 6:05 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.