A determined Drinkinatacartelbar and jockey Saul Lopez (inside) defeat post-time favorite Thunderous in the 22nd running of the $134,700 Jaguar Rocket Futurity at Horseshoe Indianapolis Saturday.

© Coady Media

SHELBYVILLE, IN–JULY 20, 2024–Drinkinatacartelbar had a lot to celebrate as the quickest qualifier from 34 in the Jaguar Rocket Futurity trials, and she proved that ranking was legitimate.

The freshman filly was facing two undefeated fillies in the final but provided a tough performance to score the win in the 22nd running of the $134,700 final on Saturday, July 20, at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Thunderous, ridden by Aron Hunt, and Macho Chick, ridden by L.D. "Daniel" Martinez, both came into the race undefeated. They joined Drinkinatacartelbar as the only fillies in the final, but girl power prevailed at the wire, taking the top two spots.

Drinkinatacartelbar began from post one and got a quick break out of the gate alongside Thunderous. The two fillies pushed each other down the track, with Thunderous getting a slight advantage before Drinkinatacartelbar came back in the last few strides to score the win. Cadet Ivory and Edgar Diaz finished third after staying in contention in the center of the track the entire way.

Drinkinatacartelbar paid $12.00 for the win. The Five Bar Cartel filly is owned by Brian Elmore and Duke Racing.

The winning connections of Drinkinatacartelbar accept the Jaguar Rocket Futurity stakes trophy. © Coady Media

Despite all the stakes wins he has had over the years, it was the first trip to the winner’s circle in the Jaguar Rocket Futurity Final for trainer Tony Cunningham.

"We've never been able to get this one, so this is a great win for us today," said Cunningham. "We appreciate this team trusting us with such a nice filly. She ran really good today. She had an under the weather thing early on, but she’s pretty honest. Salvadore (Villalobos, Cunningham’s assistant) and the rest of the team back in the barn have done a great job with her."

The filly has the makings of being a stakes winner. She now joins her dam, Tru Lee Quick by La Jollaroid, who also scored a stakes win in Indiana during her racing career for breeder Duane Swingley. The mare has been just as impressive in the broodmare barn. Her other foal, Cisco Beach, was also on the Saturday card as a finalist in the Blue River Derby.

"I didn’t think she had a ghost of a chance after seeing her in the paddock, but I am real proud of her," said Swingley, longtime auctioneer, and horseman in Indiana. "I’m just glad she got with some great people that think a lot of her and are giving her a great chance."

Drinkinatacartelbar was a private purchase by Chris Duke of Duke Racing along with Brian Elmore, former racing executive in Indiana and most recently the executive director of the Indiana HBPA. Elmore’s roots in racing in Western Indiana stem from Quarter Horse racing and he’s made his way back into horse ownership following his retirement. Elmore is also the most recent inductee into the Indiana Horse Racing Association Hall of Fame, which will take place this fall.

"She (Drinkinatacartelbar) ran a super race today," explained Duke. "Her first out, she was really green and didn’t leave very well, but today she got gritty and tough. When I saw the two (Thunderous) was by her, I though we were in trouble, but she dug in. I think she’s a special filly and I think we have a heck of a horse for the rest of this year. And I want to thank Brian Elmore for getting involved with her. We will talk about her next race. She’s paid in to both the SSA (QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Futurity) and the Sale Futurity (Leader of the Class Sale Futurity). She can only run in one, so we’ll talk about which one we are headed to."

Runner-up Thunderous earned $26,940 for her second-place effort under jockey Aron Hunt. Shawna Martin trains the One Fabulous Eagle filly for owner Diaz Farms. Sheri Miller bred the black filly from the Escondido Beach mare Thunder Beach.

Cadet Ivory, a gelding by champion sire Ivory James, picked up $13,470 for finishing third. Claudio Barraza saddled the Indiana homebred for owner-breeder Campos Family Ventures LLC. Cadet Ivory is out of Phat Willie Sister by Willie Wanta Dash.

Hf My Fabulous Boy, Macho Chick, Tw Trumps Secrets, Rafa, Sneaking Whiskey, Wrs Mynameisrip, and Hf Kiss This completed the field.

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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. 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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