Jess A Favorite edges Maleficent Dash by a nose to earn her first career victory in Saturday's $30,000 Maiden Stakes at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

© Coady Media

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

SHELBYVILLE, IN–MAY 30, 2026–Jess A Favorite earned her first career victory Saturday when she outfinished Maleficent Dash by a nose in the $30,000 Maiden Stakes at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

The 3-year-old filly covered 350 yards in 17.787 seconds and earned a 93 speed index while collecting the $16,500 winner's share of the purse. Under jockey Edgar Diaz, Jess A Favorite raced prominently before inching forward in the final strides to secure the narrow victory for owner Ulises Varela and trainer Claudio Barraza.

Jess A Favorite now has $16,960 in earnings from five career starts. The daughter of Favorite Cartel was bred in Oklahoma by Flag Ranch LLC, and is out of Hr Princess Jess, by Apollitical Jess.

Maleficent Dash put in a game effort after dueling for the lead throughout the running and briefly taking command before being caught at the wire. Alberto Ceron-Zamudio rode the bay filly for owner-breeder Humberto De La Cruz and trainer Cesar Esqueda.

The daughter of Uncle D earned the $6,000 runner-up share of the purse. She is out of the Thoroughbred mare Maleficent Beauty, by Exclusive Quality, and remains a maiden after two starts.

Another neck behind the top pair, Keep Her Off Tequila completed the trifecta under Rolando Pina for owner Pattie Marshall and trainer Tim Eggleston. The Oklahoma-bred red roan filly earned $3,000 for third.

The daughter of Kiss My Hocks was bred by Dean Frey, and is out of Counting On You, by Mr Jess Perry. A $57,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate, Keep Her Off Tequila owns a record of 1-2-1 from seven starts with earnings of $16,619.

Coyote Kiss finished fourth, followed by Jess Sinful, Run Dont Walk, Fa Lillys Of Wins and Mi Blood Token.

A photograph will be published when it becomes available from the official photographer.

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