Tw Streakin Cowboy, piloted by Diego Villamil Bocanegra, wins the John Deere Horseshoe Indianapolis Juvenile Challenge on Tuesday.

© Coady Media

SHELBYVILLE, IN–SEPTEMBER 16, 2025–TW Streakin Cowboy and Diego Villamil Bocanegra took one step closer to the Grade 2 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship set for Saturday, October 18 at The Downs at Albuquerque. The local duo rallied home for the win in the regional challenge for the $30,000John Deere Juvenile to earn a spot in the final.

TW Streakin Cowboy began from post six and wasn’t the first out of the gate but was surrounded by speed. WR Hott Shott and Horseshoe Indianapolis current leading Quarter Horse Jockey Eduardo Diaz sprinted out to the early lead to the inside of TW Streakin Cowboy.

Mr Booombastic and Martin Munoz also showed early speed along the inside. As the race took shape, those three horses established themselves as the ones to catch.

The winning connections of TW Streakin Cowboy accept the John Deere Juvenile Challenge trophy at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Tuesday. © Coady Media

WR Hott Shott was leading the way before TW Streakin Cowboy stepped in during the final strides, scoring the win by a neck in :17.554. WR Hott Shott was a comfortable second over Mr Booombastic.

TW Streakin Cowboy was making his third career start, and second as a race finisher. In his first race, he reared at the start and lost jockey Villamil in the process. He came back with a second-place finish in July, setting him up for his maiden-breaking win in the John Deere Juvenile Challenge. As one of the favorites of the field, he paid $7.20 for the win.

“He (TW Streakin Cowboy) broke a little tardy,” noted Villamil Bocanegra, who was leading the Quarter Horse jockey standings last summer before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the meet in 2025. “But once he got going, he was good. He does his job very well.”

Waiting for the pair in the winner’s circle was former jockey and current trainer Natasha Perez, who ponies all her horses to post aboard her horse Marshmallow. Perez is a second generation jockey, following her mother, Julie Veltman into the business. She now trains for owner Thomas Wylie of Ohio, who also bred the son of Flying Cowboy 123.

“We felt we had a really good shot today in the race,” said Perez aboard Marshmallow for her post race interview with Rachel McLaughlin, racing analyst at Horseshoe Indianapolis. “This horse has so much potential, and I don’t think he’s shown us yet what he can do. He gets better and better. We are so excited to see his potential. I’m not sure if we will make the trip to the Challenge or not. We will talk about it and see.”

Runner-up Wr Hott Shott, a sorrel gelding by One Famous Eagle, ran gamely under jockey Luis Luna Diaz for trainer Tim Eggleston and owner Raymond Whitmire. Bred in Oklahoma by Whitmire Ranch, he is out of the American Runaway mare Kontemporary. Wr Hott Shott was second in the Heartland Futurity in his previous start and has now compiled two wins and two seconds from five outings with $60,786 earned.

Mr Booombastic, a sorrel colt by Dulce Sin Tacha, finished another head back in third under jockey Martin Munoz. Trained by Ricardo Martinez for owner Carlos Ramos, the $22,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale purchase was bred in Oklahoma by Mr. or Mrs. L. Judd Morse. He is out of the Apollo (TB) mare Dancing Iam. Mr Booombastic entered the race off a win in the Mari Hulman George Stakes and now shows a record of two wins and a third from four starts with earnings of $31,700.

Caelus, One Magic Eagle, The Unsung Hero, Pops Sicario SM, and Lc Dancer Mary round out the order of finish.

The 23rd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing runs through Thursday, Nov. 13. For more information on racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find details 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). ©2025 Caesars License Company, LLC.

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