Paradise Beach defeated Dna Politicalfighter by half-a-length in the second of five trials to set the fastest qualifying time.

© Coady Media

SHELBYVILLE, IN–JUNE 29, 2024–Paradise Beach and Edgar Diaz turned in an easy effort Saturday, to hit the top of the leaderboard among five trials for the Gordon Mobley Futurity.

The top 10 qualifiers advance to the $193,700 final set for Saturday, July 20, during Quarter Horse Stakes Day at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

First time starter Paradise Beach came out of the gate like a pro and was in contention early for the lead during the 350-yard dash. The Escondido Beach dark chestnut took control late in the race and lengthened her stride at the wire to win by one-half length under wraps by Diaz.

DNA Politicalfighter and Leading Jockey Diego Villamil Bocanegra finished second, a neck over Flashy Beach DHD and Francisco Quintero in the sprint timed in :18.272.

Jess A Beach Man, under jockey Edgar Diaz, winning the fourth trial on Saturday. © Coady Media

Paradise Beach was a surprise in the field as a newcomer, paying $21.00 for the win. She is owned by Campos Family Ventures and was bred by Sheri Miller.

"She (Paradise Beach) definitely has the same attitude as Botticelli (Beach)," said Claudio Barraza, who trained both fillies. "Botticelli (Beach) was my first stakes win as an owner, so we had to get her (Paradise Beach)."

Barraza campaigned Botticelli Beach, a deep grey filly, to four wins in eight starts during her career, including the Mobley Futurity Final in 2021.

Barraza owned and trained the Escondido Beach filly, who he purchased out of the Miller Ranch's annual online sale after seeing the filly at the farm. He acquired Paradise Beach the same way.

"We bought her (Paradise Beach) out of Sheri's (Miller) online auction," added Barraza. "I didn't know what to expect today. She's been training well, but she is really big, so that's why we didn't start her in a maiden or anything before today. She needed more time to mature."

Barraza has a barn full of nice two-year-olds for 2024 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. He saddled the second fastest qualifier on the day, Jess A Beach Man, winner of his trial in a time of :18.274.

Barraza also scored a trial win with the Jess Zoomin gelding, Zoomin Feature in the first trial in :18.400. Edgar Diaz was also aboard for both of those wins.

Other trial winners on the day were two from the Natasha Perez barn, including DNA Dales Winner in a time of :18.382 and Escondido Gold in a time of :18.455. Diego Villamil Bocanegra rode both horses to victory.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of Mobley Futurity qualifiers with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders and jockeys.

Barraza saddles three for the final (Paradise Beach, Jess A Beach Man, Zoomin Feature), Natasha Perez saddles three (DNA Politicalfighter, DNA Dales Winner, Escondido Gold), and Tim Eggleston saddles three (HF Just Reno, Apollitical Mission, Sheza Bull Concept).

Escondido Beach led all sires with four qualifiers. Jess Zoomin and Eos A Political In sired two each.

The Mobley Futurity Final joins three other stakes on the day Saturday, July 20, featuring purses over $600,000. The day will include an on-track appearance by Martha Claussen, a nationally known Quarter Horse racing analyst, along with several promotions provided by the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana, including giveaways and face painting.

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The 22nd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Thursday, Nov. 14. Racing is held Monday through Thursday at 2:10 p.m. Six all Quarter Horse dates are set for 10:45 a.m. Saturdays June 1, June 29, July 20, Aug. 10, Aug. 31, and Oct. 5. Indiana's featured event, the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby is set for Saturday, July 6 with a first post time of 12 p.m. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis.

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