SHELBYVILLE, IN—OCTOBER 27, 2018—Flight To La Jolla and Shanley Jackson soared past their opponents to pick up the victory in the 22nd running of the $122,520 QHRAI Derby at Indiana Grand Saturday. The duo covered the 400-yard dash in a time of :19.659 seconds.

Starting from the extreme outside post 10 seemed to be a disadvantage during the final all-Quarter Horse racing night on Saturday. Several favorites were not able to reach the wire for wins earlier in the card, but Flight To La Jolla and Jackson discredit that opinion.

After a slow start out of the gate, Jackson was able to get the grey son of Hiclass La Jolla in gear and he immediately got into the fray along the outside. Halfway through the race, Flight To La Jolla began to pick up steam and rolled right on by Jess Shantastic and Oscar Cordova for the win, timing their move just right to win by a head. Tres My Heart, the favorite, held steady inside for third.

When asked by Martha Claussen, nationally known Quarter Horse racing analyst in a post-race interview about the lack of winners from post 10 for the evening, Jackson jokingly replied, "I was a little worried about that and I kept thinking about that. I guess it takes an old man to win out of the 10-hole. But, he ran a good race with a lot of heart. He's just a good horse."

After being the second fastest qualifier for the QHRAI Derby final, Flight To La Jolla was the fourth choice of the field by the betting public, paying $11.60, $4.20 and $3.20. The flashy sophomore gelding is now three for nine lifetime for owner Dan Frazier and trainer Matt Frazier.

"He came out of the trial great," said Matt Frazier. "About 10 days ago we had a scare with a stall front and had a little set back, but it wasn't anything that caused any lameness, it was just a superficial wound. He's a horse that just loves his job and has a huge closing stride. He'll take the winter off and then come back next year and we'll see how he likes 440."

Flight To La Jolla was bred in Texas, from the American Champ mare I Fly American, by Linda Loftis who operates a small breeding operation with her daughter, Tiffany, who is a veterinarian. Known by Claussen, she pointed out that Loftis does "everything right" when raising horses from her farm and is very hands on through the whole process.

The win with Flight To La Jolla marked the second victory in the QHRAI Derby for Matt Frazier. He holds the stakes record set by Feature My News, who was also ridden by Jackson, during the 2012 edition of the race, which was the final time it was run at Hoosier Park before being moved to Indiana Grand in 2013. The stakes record for the QHRAI Derby is :19.587 seconds.

Runner-up Jess Shantastic races for owner/breeder Stanley Forbes and trainer Paul Sedillo. Oscar Cordova rode the multiple stakes placed daughter of Fantastic Corona Jr from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jesses Candy.

The brown filly picked up $24,504 to increase her earnings total to $85,769. She entered the trials off a second-place effort in the La Fiesta Derby at Albuquerque.

Fastest qualifier Tres My Heart picked up $12,252 for finishing third. Owned by Jose Plascencia, the daughter of Heart Of The Cartel is conditioned by trainer Hector Sanchez.

Bred in Oklahoma by Canadian River QH LLC, Tres My Heart is out of Famous Mariah by Tres Seis. She has earned $51,923.

Bs Special, Shonuff Mvp, Candida Fits, Lota Cac, Eyesa Llano Senator, First Prize Karen and Tell Im Rockin completed the field.

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.