SHELBYVILLE, IN–SEPTEMBER 19, 2024–Arbitro has been nearly perfect this season. He added to his accolades Thursday, September 19, in the regional race for the $46,376 John Deere Juvenile Challenge at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Not only did he score the local title, but Arbitro also earned a spot in the final during the AQHA Challenge Championships, which will be held on Saturday, October 26, at The Downs at Albuquerque.

Arbitro and Edgar Diaz broke from post six and were immediately tagged as the pair to catch. The freshman colt was joined by stablemate Pluto 22 and Juan Marquez through the early stages of the 350-yard dash. Coco Kiss and Rolando Pina also joined them in the quest for the top spot.

Arbitro and Pluto 22 began to move away from their opponents near the wire. Arbitro gained a slight advantage to edge out Pluto 22 for the win by a neck, giving trainer Claudio Barraza a one-two finish in the race. Coco Kiss finished third in the sprint, timed in at 17.885.

"He (Arbitro) felt tense and nervous today," said Diaz through an interpreter following the race. "He was like that for the first 20 yards, but after that, he was good. He’s still learning. Sometimes, it feels like he is waiting on the other horses, but I’ve liked him all along. He is improving."

Arbitro is owned by Campos Family Ventures. He is now three for four in his young career, with his only defeat, a second-place finish in the Heartland Futurity Final, where he was defeated by a head. He now has nearly $75,000 on his card.

Bred in Texas by Dillon Lane, the Ivory James colt was selected out of the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale late last year for a sale price of $40,000. Barraza was not in the winner’s circle for the win, as both of his horses were brought in for the win photo. The trainer is currently at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale working on next year’s two-year-olds for his barn.

"I have liked this horse since Claudio (Barraza) picked him out at the sale," said David Campos, representing Campos Family Ventures. "He is long and has good form, so I thought he would be good. We rely on Claudio to pick out the horses. He’s the one that picks out the sires for our broodmares, too."

Campos Family Ventures is located outside of Connersville, Ind. They own and operate a training center that includes both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. Campos Family Ventures is currently leading the standings for the second year in a row for leading Quarter Horse owner.

"Right now, we have 12 or 13 racing," added David Campos via translation. "And we have ten coming in for next year (two-year-olds in 2025). That’s added onto whatever Claudio (Barraza) buys at the sale (Heritage Place)."Arbitro is the eighth qualifier for the John Deere Juvenile final during the AQHA Challenge Championships. Horseshoe Indianapolis is the most eastern positioned track in North America to host a regional challenge race.

The series was also contested at Hipodromo de las Americas in Mexico City, where jockey Juan Marquez, second place finisher in Thursday’s challenge, was the winning rider aboard The Perfect Pepper, earning a spot in the prestigious Grade 2 final in New Mexico in late October.

Runner-up Pluto 22 has yet to break his maiden from six starts. The son of Kvn Corona has earned $19,163 for owner Angelica Brizuela. Jahree Standridge bred the gray colt in Oklahoma out of Pollitical Scorpion by Apollitical Jess.

Trainer Tim Eggleston saddled third-place finisher Coco Kiss for owners Jeremy Newton and Connie Nobles. The daughter of Kiss My Hocks has one win from six starts with $16,881 in earnings. Sheri Miller bred the sorrel filly in Indiana out of Coco Beach by Escondido Beach.

You Drive Baby, Farr Lyla, George Straight and Poison Ivy complete the field. Home Team, Macho Chick and Tres First Down were scratched.

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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.

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