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© Coady Photography
SHELBYVILLE, IN—JULY 27, 2019—Merciless Fire and Juan Galvan came into the 11th running of the $92,160 Heartland Futurity off a win in the trials and scored the victory in the final Saturday, July 27. The duo covered the 300-yard dash in a time of :15.571 seconds.
Starting from post two in the field reduced down to seven starters, Merciless Fire got a perfect break between two tough contenders from the Randy Smith Stable. The two-year-old sorrel son of leading first-crop sire Hes Relentless kept at task throughout the race, first going by his opponents on the outside and then chasing down the last one on the inside.
The Black Ace and Shanley Jackson had a short lead about 50 yards from the wire, but momentum carried Merciless Fire to the lead for the win by one-half length.
The Black Ace was second just a head over stablemate WRs Apolliticalivory and Berkley Packer for third. Both The Black Ace and WRs Apolliticalivory are trained by Randy Smith.
© Coady Photography
The second-year trainer is based out of the Chicagoland area and having a superb meet in Indiana this year. The Heartland Futurity is the second stakes win this season for the young trainer. He also connected for a win with Tres My Heart in the $49,040 Indiana Grand Classic in June.
"It is a blessing," said Barraza from the winner's circle. "I always wanted to win this race. It was a surprise to me. I was not expecting him to win. He took them on in the trial and came back and delivered today."
Runner-up The Black Ace races for owner Deborah Smith. Bred in Missouri by Barle & Sharp Farm, the gray colt is a son of multiple stakes sire Bodacious Dash from the Chicks Beduino mare Ally Bye Bye. He earned $18,432 for the effort.
Third-place finisher Wrs Apolliticalivory, a son of first-crop sire Apollitical Blood, is a Kentucky homebred for Williams Racing Stables, Inc. Out of the Ivory James mare Sassy Follies, the bay gelding earned $9,216.
Merciless Fire, who was the fastest qualifier from the three trials, was the second choice on the board behind WRs Apolliticalivory, another Heartland Futurity trial winner. He paid $6.60, $3.60, $2.40 across the board for his first stakes victory.
Wrs Quick Blood, First Hero V, Mts Sixty Six Cartel and Katapult completed the field. Chicks A Perry V, Desert Canyon and Secret Passenger were scratched.
Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 6. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:15 p.m. and Saturday at 6:15 p.m. For more information, visit the website at visit www.IndianaGrand.com.