SHELBYVILLE, IN–SEPTEMBER 19, 2024–HG Favorite Energy lives up to his name in the Tony Cunnigham barn. The sophomore is a barn favorite packed with personality and speed, causing the stable to celebrate a little more vibrantly following his win in the $37,774 Adequan Derby Challenge regional event on Thursday, September 19, at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

HG Favorite Energy began from the outside post eight and was a step or two slow getting into the early action. Full Boogie and Erik Esqueda led the field from the inside early, joined by AJ Pure Gold and Juan Marquez, along with Jess Knew and Edgar Diaz on the inside.

Trailing early, HG Favorite Energy found his best stride midway through the 400-yard sprint and blasted in on the leaders from the far outside. The final stride was the winning blow for HG Favorite Energy to deliver to his opponents, scoring the win by one-half length over Full Boogie.

AJ Pure Gold finished a nose back in third but was placed up to second due to earlier race interference. The time of the sprint was 19.911.

HG Favorite Energy paid $7.20 for the win. Randy and Stacy Hill of Oklahoma bred the sophomore son of Favorite Cartel. Returning to the winner’s circle, jockey Francisco Quintero was fist pumping to start the celebration with his win in the Adequan Derby Challenge.

"I love this horse," said Quintero through translation about HG Favorite Energy. "He is one of my favorites. He’s one I helped break as a baby. I’ve been around him since the start. He’s a big, strong horse, too, and he always runs hard. He runs with his heart."

It was the second win in a row for Quintero and HG Favorite Energy, who also scored the title in the Paul Martin Overnight Stakes in August. He is five for 10 in his career and moved over the $100,000 mark in earnings following his win in the Adequan Derby Regional Challenge.

It also marked his third career stakes win as he scored the victory last fall in the John Deere Juvenile Regional Challenge at Horseshoe Indianapolis with the opportunity to advance to last year’s finals.

Tony Cunningham, the track’s all-time leading Quarter Horse owner, has a long history of producing stakes winners from his barn. He and his wife, Lisa, who owns HG Favorite Energy, were not in attendance for the race as they were at Heritage Place picking out new potential champions for their operation.

The Cunninghams purchased HG Favorite Energy at the Heritage Place September Yearling Sale two years ago, and they scored the gelding for $54,000."He (HG Favorite Energy) is a nice horse and has a big heart," said Sal Villalobos, longtime assistant trainer for the Cunningham barn. "Everybody in the barn likes him. He always runs his best, whatever you ask of him."

HG Favorite Energy receives a spot in the starting gate for the Grade 3 Adequan Derby final during the AQHA Challenge Championships set for Saturday, October 26, at The Downs at Albuquerque.

The regional challenge race at Horseshoe Indianapolis was the eighth of nine set to determine the final field. Will Rogers Downs will host the last regional qualifier in the final week of September.

Rancho El Cabresto Inc. bred runner-up Aj Pure Gold out of the Tres Seis mare Daring Seis in California. Trainer Natasha Perez saddled the son of Apollitical Jess for owner BFD Farms. He has lit the board ten of 14 starts with three wins and $64,475 in earnings.

Ricardo Martinez trains third-place finisher Cleave for owner-breeder Whiting Ranch. The three-time winner has a record of 3-2-1 from eight starts with $57,612 in the bank. Bred in Texas, Cleave is sired by Lota Pyc and out of Valiant Chic by Valiant Hero.

Relentlessly Special, Skyline Spirit, Full Boogie, Jess Knew and Kid Kwik complete the field.

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

The 22nd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Thursday, November 14. Racing is held at 2:10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. One additional all-Quarter Horse racing day is set for 10:45 a.m. Saturday, October 5. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find the track on Social Media @HSIndyRacing.

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

About Horseshoe Indianapolis
Horseshoe Indianapolis, owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR), holds multiple awards for customer service, entertainment, gaming, racing, dining, and diversity. Located just minutes from Indianapolis in Shelbyville, Ind., this one-of-a-kind property has wall to wall excitement on the 105,940 square foot gaming floor, featuring more than 1,600 slots and 72 table games along with a state-of-the-art World Series of Poker Room containing 20 tables. In addition, Horseshoe Indianapolis offers the only live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing in the state showcased on a one-mile dirt racecourse and a seven-eighths mile turf course. Simulcast and sports wagering is offered year-round at Caesars Race & Sportsbook, also located on the casino floor, with additional gaming provided at Caesars Race & Sportsbook in Clarksville, Ind. Players can reap benefits from Caesars Rewards, the industry’s most lucrative bonus program now offered at more than 50 destinations. Please visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis for more information and find Horseshoe Indianapolis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing at racetracks and 21 or older to gamble at sports books and casinos. Please play responsibly. If you think you or someone you care about may have a gambling problem, call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (1-800-994-8448). ©2024 Caesars License Company, LLC.