Beach Blast and Jockey Juan Marquez set a new stakes record in the 26th running of the $83,500 Hoosier Park Classic on Wednesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

© Coady Photography

SHELBYVILLE, IN–OCTOBER 12, 2022–Track Announcer John G. Dooley described it the best. Beach Blast had the best start and exploded to the win in the 26th running of the $83,500 Hoosier Park Classic on Wednesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Beach Blast and Jockey Juan Marquez set a new stakes record in the race, which is one of the original three stakes created during the inaugural season of pari-mutuel Quarter Horse racing in the state of Indiana in 1997, founded at Hoosier Park.

Beach Blast and Marquez exploded out of the gate from the inside post and were clear of all opponents in the race. The duo had open lengths on the field in the first few strides of the 400-yard dash, and they weren’t done yet. They continued to increase their advantage all the way to the wire for the win by two and one-half lengths. HH CJ Shake and Cristian Esqueda moved up for second over Secret Eyes and Edgar Diaz for third.

The winning connections of Beach Blast accept the Hoosier Park Classic stakes trophy at Horseshoe Indianpois.
© Coady Photography

Beach Blast was the favorite of the field, paying $3.20 for the win. The four-year-old sorrel gelding by Escondido Beach is now three for five in 2022 and has not finished off the board all year.

Overall, he has 10 wins in 16 starts and increased his career bankroll to more than $400,000 in earnings. He was a $22,000 yearling purchase from the 2019 QHRAI Speed Sale by Keith Bode and Debbie Smith. Randy Smith, Horseshoe Indianapolis’ all-time leading Quarter Horse trainer, conditions the compact speedster.

“He’s just a great horse, and he always has been,” said Bode. “He’s been on top of his game for a long time. I think he proved tonight he can go another year after this one.”

Bode and his wife, Rose, own numerous Quarter Horses at their farm in Columbus, Ind. Bode is also the president of Growers Farm Service, Inc., which specializes in wholesale fertilizers for farming operations.

The Bodes are also involved in other disciplines of performance for Quarter Horses in addition to racing. Beach Blast is currently the best horse they have in partnership with Debbie Smith. The gelding has now recorded five stakes wins in three years of competition at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

"We are just thrilled with him," added Debbie. "It was quite a race."

Beach Blast adds his name into the record books as the new stakes’ holder of the Hoosier Park Classic. The previous mark was set by Stinkin Rich during the 2016 race in a time of :19.730.

Beach Blast’s time of :19.529 was just a few ticks off the track record for 400-yards at Horseshoe Indianapolis held by Tommy the Train and James Flores set in 2017 in a time of :19.324.

Hooked On Jordan who finished second was disqualified for interference and placed ninth which moved Hh C J Sake to second. Paul Mark conditions the Escondido Beach 5-year-old for owners Larry Carter, John Myers, Bell and Rusty Hawkins.   Bred by Myers and Carter, from the Royal Shake Em mare Shakem Jake, Hh C J Shake pocketed $16,700 to bring his earnings mark to $358,083.

Secret Eyes, a 4-year-old son of Habits Secret earned $8,350 after moving to third. Owned-and-trained by Librado Barraza, the chestnut gelding out of Eyes On Sara by Mr Eye Opener was bred by Miguel Hernandez. Secret Eyes has banked $44,856 in 16 career starts.

Rock Hard Candy, Stone lake, Fire The Cartel, Love To Kiss and Wrs Raise The Bar completed the field.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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.

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. Please visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis for more information and find Horseshoe Indianapolis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.