Erik Esqueda guides Winner Spirit to a length victory in the $196,736 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Futurity at Horseshoe Indianapolis

© Coady Photography

SHELBYVILLE, IN–SEPTEMBER 3, 2022–Trainer Randy Smith had four horses qualify for the 23rd running of the $196,736 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Futurity. So he had to move outside of his regular jockeys to cover all four horses and called upon Erik Esqueda to ride Winner Spirit. 

The pairing proved to be a winning connection as Esqueda guided Winner Spirit to victory in the stakes, which sported the largest purse in the history of the race.

It wasn’t the greatest start for Winner Spirit out of the gate. Esqueda had to quickly check and correct the two-year-old gelding, who jumped out of the gate from the extreme outside post, but he quickly got him back on track and focused on his job. 

The winning connections of Stone Lake accept the $196,736 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Futurity. at Horseshoe Indianapolis Saturday afternoon.
© Coady Photography

Flat Out Smoking and Giovani Vazquez Gomez had the early advantage from the inside with Runaway Beach Chic and Francisco Quintero also getting good early positioning. Midway through the 350-yard dash, Winner Spirit began to lengthen his stride and was passing horses to his left with every step. 

Once he was clear of the field, he easily went under the wire as the winner by one length in a time of :17.999 clocking a 88 speed index. Runaway Beach Chic, the longest shot on the board, finished second over Flat Out Smoking.

It was the third win in five starts for Winner Spirit, who paid $13.20 for the win. The freshman son of Apollitical Spirit is owned by breeder Walter “Dick” Harrison and trained by Randy Smith. The gelding only had a little more than $19,000 on his card coming into the event, but he leaves with more than $126,000 on his card after taking home the $108,205 winner’s share.

“The horse didn’t break great, but he was able to pull it together,” said Esqueda, who scored wins in both the QHRAI SSA Derby and Futurity, a first in his career. “I want to thank God, the trainer, and I’m just thankful for the opportunity to ride a great horse like this.”

Esqueda has been among the track’s top five Quarter Horse riders all season. The 21-year-old is having a banner year and on-track to top last year’s tally, his best to date since beginning his riding career in 2019.

“It feels good to win both stakes,” added Esqueda.

Runner-up Runaway Beach Chic, who has yet to break her maiden, has earned $44,558 in lifetime earnings from 5 starts. Trainer Anthony Cunningham saddled the two-year-old daughter of Escondido beach under jockey Francisco Quintero.

Runaway Beach Chic, who is bred by Sheri Millier, is a full sister to Stone Lake who won the Bob Woodard Memorial Classic Stakes earlier today in race seven. Owned by Pamela Brickley Hann, the daughter of Escondido Beach is out of Silly Chic by Shazoom.

Third place finisher Flat Out Smoking, ridden by Giovani Vazquez-Gomez was saddled by Jessica Vazquez. With 2 wins and one third from four starts the gelding son of Escondido Beach has earned $37,424 for owners Campos Family Ventures, LLC. He is out of Botticelli Shake by Genuine Botticelli.

Mary Jane, Jupyter, Flashin Five Bar, We B Flyings, Dan Mr Independent and Cv Struttinforakiss completed the field.

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The 20th season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Wednesday, Nov. 23. Live racing is conducted at 2:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday with Thursday post times set for 2:10 p.m. A total of 12 Saturdays will feature live racing in 2022 highlighted by the 28th running of the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby and the 27th running of the Grade 3 $200,000 Indiana Oaks set for Saturday, July 9. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis.

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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). ©2022 Caesars License Company, LLC.