SHELBYVILLE, IN—AUGUST 10 2019—HH CJ Shake and jockey Juan Marquez turned in the fastest time of three trials to set up the final for the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) Stallion Service Auction (SSA) Futurity. The final is for the top 10 horses with the fastest times and will have a purse of $173,370 as part of the Saturday, Aug. 24 racing program at Indiana Grand.

Hailing from the Paul Martin barn, HH CJ Shake began his journey from post seven in the 10-horse lineup. The freshman son of Escondido Beach broke sharply and was a contender throughout, eventually reeling in the win by a neck in a time of :17.798 seconds. Shakeitonthebeach and Berkley Packer finished second over Coronado Coast and L.D. Martinez, who earned the nod in a tight photo for third.

Bred by Larry Carter and John Myers and now co-owned by them and Gary Brandon Bell and Rusty Hawkins, HH CJ Shake earned his second career win in four outings this year.

In other trial action, Blue Eyed Newman from the Randy Smith Stable earned the second fastest time on the qualifiers for the final, winning his trial in :17.810 seconds. Owned by breeder Gordon Timm. The Escondido Beach gelding was an easy one and one-half length winner on the outside over Catchey Rhythm and Martinez and Cinnamon Beach and Samuel Mendez.

The third trial of the evening went to another Smith trainee Louisiana Lover. A son of The Louisiana Cartel, Louisiana Lover was in contention from post eight the entire length of the 350-yard dash before putting a neck in front at the wire for the win in :19.928. Beach Benny and Martinez finished second in a very tight photo over DNA Dales Cece and Mendez for third.

For the entire field for the final of the QHRAI SSA Futurity, including times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE,

Smith, Indiana Grand’s current leading trainer, will saddle five for the final (Blue Eyed Newman, Shakeitonthebeach, Louisiana Lover, DNA Dales Cece and Cinnamon Beach) while Tony Cunningham, Indiana Grand’s current leading owner, will saddle three (Beach Benny, Coronado Coast and Catchey Rhythm).

Also, five of the horses in the final are sons and daughters of Escondido Beach (HH CJ Shake, Blue Eyed Newman, Shakeitonthebeach, Beach Benny, and Cinnamon Beach). Escondido Beach, who stands at Miller Ranch in Shipshewana, Ind., has been the top stallion in Indiana for the past several years.

The QHRAI SSA Futurity will be joined by the QHRAI SSA Derby on the Saturday, Aug. 24 racing program. The event is tagged as Boots ‘N Brews, featuring live entertainment, family activities, brew specials and a mechanical bull. First post is 6:15 p.m. with the QHRAI SSA Futurity and Derby set at the end of the racing program that evening.

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.

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