SHELBYVILLE, IN—AUGUST 10 2019— It might have been the first time JA B Valiant and jockey Juan Cruz had competed over Indiana Grand Racing & Casino’s racetrack, but their performance didn’t show it.

The duo picked up the fastest time in the trials of the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) Stallion Service Auction (SSA) Derby Saturday, Aug. 10. The win marked the first in Indiana for JA B Valiant and one of two wins on the night for Cruz, who was making his riding debut during the card.

No issues came out of the start of the second trial of the night and JA B Valiant was speedy out of the inside post one. Cruz got the son of Mighty B Valiant engaged in the race early and established him as the horse to catch to win the trial. Yadi 1 and Uriel Cervantes were closing in quickly but had to settle for second just a nose back of JA B Valiant. Bits Leaving You and Juan Galvan won a tight photo for third.

Trained by Hector Sanchez and owned by Lorena Guitierrez, JA B Valiant earned his second win of 2019 in six starts. He will lead the field into the Aug. 24 final of the QHRAI SSA Derby as the fastest qualifier with a time of :20.136 for the 400-yard dash.

For Cruz, he was making his riding debut on the night. He connected for a win in the first race aboard the Sanchez trained Pressure to Fly, which marked his first career win. Cruz also earned his first career riding double by guiding JA B Valiant home for the win in the evening’s seventh race.

Joining JA B Valiant as a trial winner for the QHRAI SSA Derby was Shes Sizzling from the Tony Cunningham barn. Ridden by L.D. Martinez, the Sizzling Cartel filly was in a heated battle of three down the stretch with WRs Valentino and Berkley Packer and Coronados Quiksilver and Fernando Morin.

In a very tight photo, Shes Sizzling got the advantage with her third win of the year by the margin of a nose in :20.159 over WRs Valentino. Coronados Quiksilver finished another nose back in third.

Owned by breeders Joyce and Erik Lehtinen of Ontario, Shes Sizzling is now five for 12 lifetime and increased her bankroll to more than $58,000 with the win. The Ontario-bred daughter of Sizzlin Cartel is out of Shenandoah Special by Eyesa Special.

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

Trainers Hector Sanchez (JA B Valiant, RC Rayo), Tony Cunningham (Shes Sizzling, Run Happy), Randy Thompson (Yadi 1, Abe) and Hector Sanchez (JA B Valiant, RC Rayo) will each saddle two horses in the final of the QHRAI SSA Derby.

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.