Tachas Secret, ridden by Fernando Morin, wins the $85,800 Bob Woodard Memorial at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday.

© Coady Media

SHELBYVILLE, IN–AUGUST 31, 2024–Tachas Secret and Fernando Morin rallied home to their second straight stakes victory on Saturday during the fifth all-Quarter Horse racing program at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The duo added the 16th running of the $85,800 Bob Woodard Memorial to their credentials.

Tachas Secret has been consistent throughout her entire career. She is out of trainer Ricardo Martinez’s standout stallion, Habits Secret, who raced and won several stakes in Indiana before retiring to stud duty at Roger Beam’s Midwest Equine and Veterinary Hospital in Trafalgar, Indiana.

Habit Secret continues to produce stakes winners year after year and Tachas Secret is one of those representatives. Martinez also owns her mare Sin Tachas Angel by Pyc Paint Your Wagon.

Tachas Secret and Fernando Morin began from post five and had a clear path down the center of the track. Defending Bob Woodard Memorial champion Mr Michel and Edgar Diaz began from post seven and were in tight quarters early on.

The winning connections of Tachas Secret accept the $85,800 Bob Woodard Memorial Stakes trophy at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday. © Coady Media

Tachas Secret got the jump on the field and kept her mind on her business, making it really tough for any of her opponents to come even close.

Midway through the 400 yard dash, Mr Michel found another speed and began closing in but his efforts were not quick enough to overtake Tachas Secret, who was a winner by a neck over Mr Michel.

Winner Spirit and Juan Marquez, who drew into the race after an early scratch, closed in on the far outside to finish third.

"This win means a lot to our family," said Vicki Duke, part of the ownership team of Duke Racing LLC. "This was one of the toughest races she’s been in and there were tough horses in here. We have to give credit to Ricardo (Martinez) and Fernando (Morin). They have done an excellent job with her."

Tachas Secret paid $6.60 for the win. The four-year-old mare now has three wins in five starts this season and nine wins overall. Her bankroll increased to more than $318,000. The win in the Woodard Memorial Classic was her fifth career stakes win in Indiana.

"This mare (Tachas Secret) has been a sweetheart since she was born," added Vicki. "She is the sweetest, most loveable horse to be around. Winning this race with her also has extra meaning to our family. We were one of the first families to start racing in the state, and to win the Bob Woodard is an honor. The Woodard family is one of the ones that got Quarter Horse racing going in this state."

Named after his breeder Mark Michel, runner-up Mr Michel is owned by Alberto Valadez. The five-year-old son of Kiss My Hocks has lit the board 18 of 23 starts with 12 wins and $459,452 in the bank. The seven-time stakes-winner trained by Claudio Barraza is out of Lovemelikethat by Linenothinyoueversaw.

Tim Eggleston trains third-place finisher Winner Spirit for owner Philip Harrison. The multiple stakes-winning son of Apollitical Spirit has five career victories and $246,969 in the bank. Walter "Dick" Harrison bred the four-year-old gelding out of Ms Victorita by Mighty Invictus.

Seize Greatness, Wheres Wilson, Fun N Fancy Forrest, Hh C J Shake, Dashtrax, High Rolling Seize and Sundays Best round out the order of finish. Streakindownthebeach was scratched.

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The 22nd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Thursday, Nov. 14. Racing is held at 2:10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. One additional all-Quarter Horse racing day is set for 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. 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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About Horseshoe Indianapolis
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