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SHELBYVILLE, IN—OCTOBER 4, 2018—It was a Ricardo Martinez-trained two-year-old that topped the list of qualifiers for the upcoming $100,000 Governors Stakes Final set for Saturday, Oct. 27, but it wasn’t one of the horses that everyone expected.
Two of Martinez’s top two-year-olds encountered problems in the trials and did not make the cut, but Jess My Joy stepped up to earn the fastest time among the four trials for the Martinez Stable.
In the first of four trials for the Governor’s Stakes, Jess My Joy and Sergio Ramirez broke well from post three and were in contention for the top spot early on in the 350 yard dash.
© Dustin Orona Photography
Owned by Martinez, Jess My Joy earned her first win in only her sixth start. The Texas-bred daughter of Mr Jess Perry began her career on the West Coast at Los Alamitos before shipping to the Midwest and joining the Martinez Stable. Bred in Oklahoma by Weetona Stanley from the Oak Tree Special mare First Prize Joy, Jess My Joy is a $27,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate.
One of the heavy favorites in the trials was Martinez’s Packin Secrets, who had drawn post one in the final trial of the Governors Stakes. Coming out of the gate, Packin Secrets was pushed to the inside and could not stay on course, bumping the rail and unseating Ramirez before traveling on behind the rest of the field.
Recently added to the barn of Trainer Erin Thompson, Thinkin Man earned his second career win in his sixth career outing for owner Brian Gunder. The two-year-old son of Carters Cartel, from the First Down Dash mare Long Stemmed Roses, made his first career start at Indiana Grand to prepare for the Governors Stakes final.
The second fastest trial of the night was recorded by Hospitaliti and Shanley Jackson. The sorrel filly by Mr Jess Perry showed her ability in her last start by breaking her maiden at Indiana Grand in early September.
Out of the Corona Cartel mare Shenoshercorona, Hospitaliti was back with the same talent in her trial, winning a near gate to wire effort by three-quarters of a length in :17.762 seconds.
WRs Valentino and Berkley Packer finished second over Worth Doing Right and L.D. Martinez for third. Hospitaliti is owned by Glenn Graff and trained by Matt Frazier. She heads to the Governors Stakes final as the second fastest qualifier behind Jess My Joy.
It might have been the slowest of the four trials but the race that grabbed the most attention was the second trial where Chicazum and Sergio Ramirez were favored in the contest for Martinez.
Coming out of the gate, Chicazum got tangled with some other horses and Ramirez nearly fell off, holding on like a champion to stay with the Dominyun filly.
However, the seasoned veteran regained his balance and once he was back in the saddle, he kept riding Chicazum to the wire with his legs dangling down on the side of the horse.
Although Ajk Zoomin Beauty and Alejandro Luna captured the win, Chicazum was gaining at the finish for second, but did not make the top 10, finishing 12th on the list of 33 hoping to qualify for the final.
For a list of the top 10 qualifiers for the $100,000 Governor's Stakes final, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.
The Governors Stakes Final will be one of four stakes on the Saturday, Oct. 27 racing program, which will feature purses in excess of $425,000. The evening will include a special appearance by Martha Claussen, nationally known Quarter Horse racing analyst, and QHRAI will provide free long sleeved t-shirts and $2 race wagers while supplies last. The evening program gets underway at 6:05 p.m.
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.
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.