Racing


Valiantinecandyrocks Rolls In Hoosier Park Classic at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
Valiantinecandyrocks, under jockey Juan Marquez, posted a 1-¼ length win in the $83,300 Hoosier Park Classic Stakes Tuesday evening at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino.

© Coady Photography
Valiantinecandyrocks Rolls In Hoosier Park Classic at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino

SHELBYVILLE, IN—OCTOBER 12, 2021—Valiantinecandyrocks continues her dominance this season in the older Quarter Horse ranks at Indiana Grand. The five-year-old mare scored her 10th career win in the 25th running of the $83,300 Hoosier Park Classic, earning her third win in a row at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino.

Starting from post one, Valiantinecandyrocks and Juan Marquez came out of the gate strong and had the lead within steps from the gate. The duo hit a high gear early on to lead the way.

About 100 yards into the 400-yard dash, Marquez, tapped the Valiant Hero mare twice. She continued to lead the way under wraps at the wire by one and one-quarter lengths in :19.831.

The winning connections of Valiantinecadyrocks accept the Hoosier Park Classic Stakes trophy Tuesday evening at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. © Coady Photography
Beach Mercedes, last year’s Hoosier Park Classic winner, finished second for jockey German Rodriguez, just a head in front of Jess a Flyin Beach and L.D. Martinez. Randy Smith trains both Valiantinecandyrocks and Beach Mercedes to complete the Hoosier Park Classic double.

It was the 10th career win in 17 career starts for Valiantinecandyrocks, who is owned and bred by Lance and Tammy Finlinson of Greenwood, Ind. The Indiana bred mare increased her career bankroll to more than $264,000. She is now four for five in 2021 and is out of the Finlinson’s fantastic brood mare, Jesses Candy, by Mr Jess Perry.

“It’s just amazing how this mare came on this year,” said Lance, who has liked Valiantinecandyrocks since she was born. “It’s just a testament that you should wait. As a two-year-old, she had to get better to be terrible. Then, at three, she was a little better and was coming on at the end of her four-year-old year. She just goes out and does her job now.”

The Finlinsons own a small breeding operation in Central Indiana. They have had several Indiana champions over the past four years, all stemming back to Jesses Candy. They have plans to continue the bloodlines they have worked so hard to establish.

“That’s it for her this year,” said Lance on her next race. “We’ll take a look at her over the winter and decide. Her value is as a mom. She’s valuable for the little ones. She’s five, so do you bring her back? That’s something we will have to take a look at this winter.”

It was the second straight win in the Hoosier Park Classic for Jockey Juan Marquez who won the race in 2020 aboard Beach Mercedes. Marquez is currently among the track’s top 15 jockeys this season.

Runner-up Beach Mercedes picked up $16,660 for second. Also conditioned by Smith, the 6-year-old daughter of Escondido Beach races for owner-breeder Sheri Miller. German Rodriguez was aboard the $335,192 earner out of Jess Alive Bully by Feature Mr Jess.

Miller also bred third-place finisher Jess A Flyin Beach, who is a full-brother to Beach Mercedes. Owned-and trained by Anthony Cunningham the stakes winning 4-year0old picked up $8,330 to bring his bankroll to $143,706. Daniel Martinez had the riding call aboard the 4-year-old.

Beach Cartel, Hh C J Shake, Hooked On Jordan, Beach Benny and Faclson completed the field.

Randy Smith continues to dominate the trainer standings and has already broke his record of most wins in one season. The win with Valiantinecandyrocks was his 66th of the meet. The previous record was established by Smith with 54 wins last season. He also broke the record for most purse earnings in one season with his win in the Hoosier Park Classic. Horses from his barn have earned in excess of $1.5 million. The previous record of $1.49 million was set by Smith in 2020.

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The 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is now in progress and continues through Thursday, Nov. 11. Live racing is conducted at 2:25 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, with first post on Thursday set at 3:25 p.m. A special Indiana Champions Day highlighting the state’s top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses will be held Saturday, Oct. 30, beginning at noon. More information about the 2021 racing season is available at www.IndianaGrand.com.

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About Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
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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