SHELBYVILLE, IN—MAY 24, 2018—It’s the first true test of Quarter Horse power for the 2018 racing season at Indiana Grand as the ninth running of the $84,800 Born Runner Classic takes the spotlight Saturday.

Ten of the state’s best older horses will go to battle in the final race of the night at a distance of 400 yards featuring many champions from the Indiana breeding program.

The favorite of the field is Keen Liaison, a four-year-old daughter of Sixes Liaison. "Keenie" as she’s known in the Erin Thompson barn, had one previous start to prepare for the Born Runner Classic and had a bad start, which took her out of the race early on. Her regular jockey, Ronald Hisby, was involved in an incident on the track earlier in the day and was unable to ride. However, Hisby will be back aboard to ride Keen Liaison at odds of 3-1 from post two for owner James Black.

Another top contender in the field is last year’s Indiana Champion older colt/gelding Beach Cartel, who begins from post seven. Teamed up with Jose Beltran for the Randy Smith Stable, the now six-year-old grey gelding was a winner in the prep for the Born Leader Classic and will look for his 15th career win for owner-breeder Sheri Miller.

Beach Cartel has earned in excess of $324,000 and a win in the Born Runner Classic would boost him into the state’s all-time top five richest Quarter Horses. The stunning grey gelding has been selected as the second choice in the race at odds of 7-2.

Current 300-yard track record holder Beach Bum Eddie from the Anthony Cunningham Stable is the third selection of the field. The five-year-old Escondido Beach gelding finished second to Beach Cartel in the Born Runner Classic prep earlier in May. He will begin from post one at odds of 4-1 with Cesar Esqueda aboard.

One of the biggest matchups of the race will be from the same barn as Trainer Paul Martin will start both HH Kentucky Krome and WH Design By Dash in the race. It’s the first time the horses, both former state divisional winners for Martin, will face each other.

The four-year-old HH Kentucky Krome, ridden by Giovani Vazquez-Gomez, will start from post three at odds of 15-1 and has early speed. His stablemate, the veteran WH Design By Dash, will be using his best stride late for Jockey Gerardo Garrido at odds of 4-1 from post nine. A win from WH Design By Dash would be his second straight title in the Born Runner Classic and would also boost him up into the state’s all-time top five richest Quarter Horses.

The seven-year-old son of Brimmstone currently has in excess of $329,000 in career earnings and 11 career wins in 38 starts for owner Julia Rae Martin. Larry Carter and John Myers, also the breeders, own HH Kentucky Krome.

The entire field for the Born Runner Classic, in post position order with jockey and odds includes:

1. Beach Bum Eddie (Cesar Esqueda, 4-1)
2. Keen Liaison (Ronald Hisby, 3-1)
3. HH Kentucky Krome (Giovani Vazquez-Gomez, 15-1)
4. Dreamers Liaison (Shanley Jackson, 8-1)
5. Jesstotuff (Aron Hunt, 30-1)
6. Tru Lee Quick (Luis Guerrero, 30-1)
7. Beach Cartel (Jose Beltran, 7-2)
8. DHD Nunzio (Natasha Fritz, 30-1)
9. WH Design By Dash (Gerardo Garrido, 4-1)
10. Izzy Bleu Bayou (Rodney Prescott, 6-1).

Estimated post time for the Born Runner Classic is set for 9:49 p.m.

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. Six all-Quarter Horse racing nights have been set during the season to include June 2, July 7, Aug. 11, Sept. 15, Oct. 6 and Oct. 27. All dates are Saturday evening cards with a first post time of 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.