Caughtmeatagoodtime (#1) prevails over fastest qualifier Arbitro (#7) in the $168,520 Heartland Futurity on Saturday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

© Coady Media

SHELBYVILLE, IN–JULY 20, 2024– Sometimes, all you need is a little luck and a chance. That is exactly what happened with Caughtmeatagoodtime and Fernando Morin in the $168,520 Heartland Futurity Final on Saturday, July 20 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Everything lined up perfectly for the pair as they rallied home for the win in the richest purse offered ever for the Heartland Futurity in the 16th running of the 350 yard dash for two-year-olds. The journey to the final had a twist for Caughtmeatagoodtime.

Starting from post one, Morin had Caughtmeatagoodtime ready to roll when the gate sprung open. The freshman gelding was in contention for the lead the entire way.

Horses were bearing down on him hard in the final strides, including race favorite Arbitro and Edgar Diaz, the fastest qualifier from the trials. But Caughtmeatagoodtime never wavered. In the end, he was able to repel all his opponents for the win by a head over Arbitro. RR God and Cowboys and L.D. "Daniel" Martinez finished third.

The winning connections of Caughtmeatagoodtime accept the Heartland Futurity stakes trophy.  © Coady Media

"He (Caughtmeatagoodtime) broke really, really good and he responded so well," said Morin, who was aboard for the first time. "He is a great horse. I asked him about half way down the stretch and he responded. Ricardo (Martinez) has done a great job with him. He’s a great trainer."

Caughtmeatagoodtime paid $25.20 for the win. The son of multiple stakes sire Lota Pyc is now a perfect two for two for trainer Ricardo Martinez, who acquired him for Indiana before the trials of the Heartland Futurity. He is a homebred out of Ms Haulin Chic, by Dominyun, born and raised by the owners of Whiting Ranch. Caughtmeatagoodtime is now three for four in his young career after breaking his maiden at Sam Houston before transferring to Martinez.

"He already had a win before I got him," explained Martinez, who saddled three for the Heartland Futurity Final. "The first thing I noticed about him is he is focused all the time. He goes in the gate, and he stands there and doesn’t move. I told Fernando (Morin) I was going to put him up on this horse. I also told him, ‘If anyone blinks, you are done.’ I told him he will take it."

The interesting point for Caughtmeatagoodtime was he wasn’t an automatic qualifier from the 47 horses vying for a spot in the top 10 for the Heartland Final. He won his trial in a time of :18.451, which was also the same time Barr Lyla scored her trial in.

The two tied for the last spot on the finals list. Trainers met in the racing office and an official shake was held, giving Caughtmeatagoodtime to take the last spot in the final lineup over Barr Lyla.

"You never know what is going to happen," added Martinez about saddling three for the Heartland Final. "You are just hoping everyone is okay and everyone comes back good out of the race. That’s all you can ask for."

It was the fourth win in the Heartland Futurity Final for Martinez. He holds the stakes record with his standout sprinter Woop Dee Doo, the sorrel sway backed gelding who was a multiple stakes winner in Indiana. He covered the 300 yard dash in :15.348 in 2015 to set the record. This season is the first year the race was held at 350 yards.

Fastest qualifier Arbitro, a Texas-bred son of multiple stakes sire Ivory James, finished second for owner Campos Family Venture LLC and trainer Claudio Barraza. Dillion D. Lane bred the bay colt from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Dee Dee. The second-place payday was worth $3,3704.

Jason Chinn's Rr God And Cowboys earned $16,852 for third. Anthony Cunningham trains the Big Lew colt from the Apollitical mare First Of 15. Daniel Martinez had the riding call. Reliance Ranches LLC bred Rr God And Cowboys in Oklahoma.

Completing the field were Namor, Chiln, Gringoo, Rr Lotta Runforobyn, Cand D Girl, and Runninagainstdwind.

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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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