SHELBYVILLE, IN—JUNE 16, 2019—It was the biggest matchup of the year thus far as undefeated two-year-old stars Louisiana Love and Kissmelikethat went up against each other for the first time. Both geldings battled to the wire with Kissmelikethat getting the edge by the slimmest margin possible to win the $126,300 Jaguar Rocket Futurity at Indiana Grand Saturday night.

Owned and bred by Mark Michel, Kissmelikethat had a clean start from post eight in the nine-horse lineup with Shanley Jackson aboard. Louisiana Lover and Berkley Packer started from post three and experienced slight bumping out of the gate but quickly bounced back to be a major threat early on.

Louisiana Lover had the advantage early and looked strong through the final stages of the race with Kissmelikethat getting a late rally in place to move in at the very last second for the win in a time of :15.720 seconds in the 300-yard dash. Louisiana Lover was just ahead of stablemate BV Runaround Sue and Juan Marquez for second.

"This horse is really green, and I had to work on him early," said Jackson. "But once he got his mind set on what he was doing, he sure took off. The last 100 yards he was flying."

Kissmelikethat, a freshman son of the hot first-crop sire Kiss My Hocks, is now three for three in his brief career. He increased his career bankroll to more than $85,000 with the win. Ron Raper, who has eight leading Quarter Horse trainer titles to his credit, trains the chestnut gelding. The Indiana homebred is from the Likenothinoyoueversaw mare Lovemelikethat.

"He sure put his head down at the wire," said Raper. "He may not be quite as fast out of the gate, but he made up for it. We wondered how he would take to the water tonight and he took to it pretty good."

Threatening storms were all around the area Saturday night, but besides a large amount of rain, Indiana Grand was spared any severe weather. Just before the Jaguar Rocket went on the track, the rain subsided over the very sloppy track. However, the wet conditions did not put a damper on the win by Kissmelikethat for Michel, who experienced his first career stakes win as an owner.

"I've had stakes win before as a breeder, but this is the first stakes win as an owner for me and I'm very excited," said Michel, who has a small breeding operation in northern Indiana. "I'm glad I decided to keep this colt plus I have two full brothers at home. This is the first year I've used Ron (Raper) as a trainer. He and Jeannette (Hoover) have done a tremendous job and I have to give them lots of credit."

Michel sent Kissmelikethat to Vanessa Wilcox of Urbana, Ill. last fall to get broke. After 45 days of getting him accustomed to the process, he was shipped to Raper in North Carolina, and from there, he began to display his skills. After breaking his maiden in early May, he came back as an easy winner in his trial of the Jaguar Rocket, listed second by time only to Louisiana Lover, the fastest qualifier.

"We didn't do much with him since the trial," added Raper. "We loped him once and stood him in the gate once and that is it. There have been a lot of colds going around the backstretch, so we tried to protect him as much as we could from that and let him relax and rest. He's an excellent eater and is a very quiet colt in the barn. He doesn't have any bad habits and is a pleasure to be around."

Runner-up Louisiana Lover races for owner Dula Racing LLC. Randy Smith conditions the son of champion sire The Louisiana Cartel from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Special Love. Bred by Amy Peoples, Louisiana Lover earned $25,260 for the effort.

Bella Vista Farms LLC's homebred Bv Runaround Sue earned $12,630 for third. Also trained by Smith, the Pyc Paint Your Wagon filly was ridden by jockey Juan Marquez. She is out of the Azoom mare Bv Eyesazoom.

Loveherlikethat, Heza Classy Cartel, Cartels Cash Feature, This Cats Ablazing, Air Born Desi and Dna Dales Cece completed the field.

Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 2:15 p.m. and Saturday at 6:15 p.m. The 120-day racing meet continues through Wednesday, Nov. 6.

For more information, visit the website at visit www.IndianaGrand.com.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 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.