SHELBYVILLE, IN—JULY 20, 2020—The 18th running of the $125,100 Blue River Derby Thursday (July 23) will wrap up a full week of Quarter Horse Stakes action at Indiana Grand.

Favored to take the title is HH CJ Shake from the Paul Martin Stable.

A son of Escondido Beach, HH CJ Shake led the way during his trial and was nabbed right at the wire by Louisiana Lover in the quickest of three trials to set up the final. Last season the gelding soared to victory in five of seven starts.

His trial for the Blue River Derby was his first appearance at Indiana Grand for 2020, having one previous outing at Remington Park in early March before Covid-19 shutdowns occurred. Juan Marquez will ride HH CJ Shake from post five as the 9-5 early morning line favorite.

Joining HH CJ Shake as a major contender will be the fastest qualifier from the trials is Louisiana Lover. Hailing from the Randy Smith barn, The Louisiana Cartel gelding’s first outing for 2020 came in the Blue River Derby trials. He is five for eight lifetime and will start from post nine with Sammy Mendez aboard at odds of 7-2. Duke Racing LLC owns the sophomore gelding.

Another Randy Smith trainee will get a lot of early attention for the Blue River Derby as Blue Eyed Newman was a trial winner and returns as the second fastest qualifier. Ridden by Shanley Jackson, the Escondido Beach gelding will start from post six at odds of 9-2 for owner-breeder Gordon Timm.

The entire field for the Blue River Derby, in post position order with jockey and odds, includes:

1. Beach Benny (L.D. Martinez, 8-1)
2. Shakeitonthebeach (Cristian Reyes, 15-1
3. Rock Hard Candy (Victor Olivo, 15-1)
4. Jess Z Bob (Cesar Esqueda, 6-1)
5. HH CJ Shake (Juan Marquez, 9-5)
6. Blue Eyed Newman (Shanley Jackson, 9-2)
7. AZ Sum Rock (Sergio Ramirez, 20-1)
8. Thunder Beach (Giovani Vazquez-Gomez, 20-1)
9. Louisiana Lover (Sammy Mendez, 7-2);
10. Kissmelikethat (Jose Ruiz, 30-1)

Randy Smith will saddle four in the final (Shakeitonthebeach, Blue Eyed Newman, Thunder Beach, Louisiana Lover) and Paul Martin saddles two (Jess Z Bob, HH CJ Shake).

Estimated post time for the Blue River Derby is 6:04 p.m. (EDT) as the ninth and final race on the card.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Live racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 18 with action held Monday through Thursday beginning at 2:20 p.m. Three more Saturday programs are slated for all-Quarter Horse days Aug. 8, Oct. 23 and Oct. 24. The Aug. 8 program will begin at 10 a.m. (EDT).

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, which is owned and operated by a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), holds multiple awards for customer service, entertainment, gaming, dining, and diversity. Located in Shelbyville, Ind., Indiana Grand features more than 2,100 of the latest slots and table games in addition to a one-mile dirt racecourse and a seven-eighths mile turf course providing live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing each year. Simulcast and sports wagering is also offered year-round at Winner’s Circle Race Sports Pub located on the casino floor as well as a Winner’s Circle Race Sports Pub located in Clarksville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.IndianaGrand.com.

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