SHELBYVILLE, IN—AUGUST 8, 2020—A total of 67 two-year-olds were seeking a spot in the upcoming $178,828 Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) Stallion Service Auction (SSA) Futurity during the special All-Quarter Horse program Saturday, Aug. 8 at Indiana Grand.

It took until the last of seven trials to determine the quickest qualifier of the day as Beach Blast scored the win.

The trials were riddled with longshot winners, including the final trial winner Beach Blast, who was one of the longest shots on the board.

Ridden by Sammy Mendez, the Escondido Beach gelding came into the race with only one previous start. He was able to get out of the gate on top and never looked back, winning by three-quarters of a length in :18.003 seconds. ZZ Stones Ablazing and L.D. "Danny" Martinez finished second followed by Heza Fast Kisser and Edgar Diaz for third.

Beach Blast paid $44.40 to win. Owned by Keith Bode and Brock Hutchinson, Beach Blast was a $22,000 purchase at the QHRAI Speed Sale last fall. He is conditioned by Indiana Grand’s all-time leading Quarter Horse trainer Randy Smith.

The second fastest qualifier on the day was also overlooked by racing fans as BP Fancy Lady and Erik Esqueda won their trial in a time of :18.068. Starting from post six, the Im A Fancy Pyc filly found her stride a few steps out of the gate and got an early advantage, fending off a late challenge by Kisses Forever and German Rodriguez for the win by a neck. Beach Diva and Martinez finished third.

Owned by C. W. (Charlie) Mullenix, BP Fancy Lady is now two for five in her career. Randy Thompson took over training a few months ago when racing resumed in Indiana. The Oklahoma bred filly paid $34.00 for the win.

"It took us a little while to figure her out," said Thompson. "She started off in Oklahoma before we got her here."

BP Fancy Lady was bred by Bill Price in Oklahoma. Mullenix purchased her out of the Heritage Place Sale last fall for $6,200.

"I bought her because no one else wanted her," said Mullenix. "I’ve spent 45 years as a student of pedigrees and didn’t even consider her. I thought she would be out of our range considering pedigree and connections. I bid one time and they knocked her down to me, and then I said, ‘Well, let’s go see what we got.’ (Eddie L.) ‘Bubba’ Willis started her out for us."

BP Fancy Lady started twice at Remington Park this spring, earning a win and a third. She made the final of the Heartland Futurity but didn’t have any racing luck.

"Bubba (Willis) had blinkers on her and took them off and she won at Remington," added Mullenix. "We tried blinkers on her here and took them off today and she won. So, I think the blinkers will be off for the final."

The third fastest trial winner of the day was Mitey Persuasive in the very first race. Trained by Thompson, the Jazz Be First gelding was going up against the tough Shez Bodacious, who was lurking near the finish. However, Erik Esqueda was able to hold Shez Bodacious and Natasha Fritz off, winning by three-quarters of a length in :18.110. One Coldhearted Diva and Giovani Vazquez-Gomez finished third.

"He stood really good in the gate today," said Esqueda. "I’ve had chemistry with this horse all along. He was a little slower out of the gate today, but he kept going and got the job done. A special thanks to the owner and to the trainer for putting me back on to ride him."

Mitey Persuasive is now two for four in his brief career for owner-breeder Ted Harpold. The Indiana sired freshman paid $13.20 for the win.

"This is the first time today that he actually didn’t have trouble in the gate," said Thompson. "He’s learning to be a great athlete, and he showed he’s got a lot of speed today."

Another trial winner that will advance to the Thursday, Aug. 27 final of the QHRAI SSA Futurity was Wheel To Win from the Smith barn. The Hearts A Wagon gelding was a winner by a neck for Mendez in :18.175. Beach Runaway finished second with Cesar Esqueda aboard followed by Jess No Foolin and Giovani Vazquez-Gomez for third.

Wheel to Win is owned by breeders Melissa Gibbs and Jeremy Todd of Kentucky. It was his first career win in three starts.

"Early on, he showed to be a racehorse," said Smith. "He really surprised me today because I didn’t think he was a 350-yard horse. That other horse (Beach Runaway) came up on him and he held him off. He showed he was a racehorse today."

For the top 10 qualifiers, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys, for the QHRAI SSA Futurity CLICK HERE.

There was a three-way tie for ninth and 10th places for the finals between Zoomin Policy, Gottasmoochjess and Once A Capo. After a shake, Zoomin Policy and Once A Capo will advance to the final. Gottasmoochjess was 11th on the list and will not advance to the final.

Smith will saddle three in the final (Beach Blast, Inseperable Blood, Wheel to Win) and Tony Cunningham will also saddle three (Kisses Forever, ZZ Stones Ablazing, Beach Diva). Thompson will saddle two in the final (BP Fancy Lady and Mitey Persuasive).

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Live racing is held Monday through Thursday beginning at 2:20 p.m. Three more Saturday programs are slated for all-Quarter Horse days Aug. 8, Oct. 3 and Oct. 24. The Aug. 8 program will begin at 10 a.m.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 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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