Ap Apollitical Patriot, piloted by Saul Lopez, win the $212,170 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Futurity [RG3] on Saturday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

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SHELBYVILLE, IN–AUGUST 31, 2024–The fifth all-Quarter Horse Day marked a first for Horseshoe Indianapolis as the first ever Restricted Grade 3 was presented for Indiana racing.

In addition to that milestone, an unexpected winner was AP Political Patriot. He surprised everyone, including his connections, with a win in the $212,170 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction (SSA) Futurity [RG3] on Saturday.

AP Political Patriot made his racing debut in the trials and was a winner, ranking fifth on the list of horses advancing to the RG3 final. However, jockey Francisco Quintero opted to ride another entrant in the race, which gave owner-trainer Oscar Preciado the search for a new jockey.

Saul Lopez picked up the ride aboard the homebred gelding, who the Preciado family bred. The horse will forever hold a special place in the family photo albums as he provided the first career stakes win for Preciado, who began training in 2019 after graduating from Notre Dame near his home base in Elkhart, Indiana.

"This horse’s mother (Shes a Real Patriot by Game Patriot) was the first horse I ever trained and gave me my first training win," noted Preciado, who was joined in the winner’s circle by his family, including his father, Alberto. "So, she is very special to us. Then, she was our first broodmare. We name all our homebreds with ‘AP’ to honor my mother (Araceli) and my father (Alberto) Preciado. It now also represents my daughter, Ariella."

Since AP Political Patriot was making only his second career start, the family was hopeful but not anticipating another trip to the winner’s circle. Therefore, when the EOS A Political Win gelding flashed up as the winner, the group was shocked in a great way.

Starting from post ten on the far outside, AP Political Patriot showed a little of his inexperience out of the gate and bore out for Lopez, but he quickly got him corrected and into the race. He was still in contention early on the far outside, but it was hard to judge who was in front as the bulk of the field on the inside seemed to be putting their best strides together for the 350-yard dash.

The winning connections of Ap Political Patriot accept the $212,170 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction (SSA) Futurity [RG3] trophy at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday.
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Beachin Famous and Juan Marquez held their own on the inside joined by Jefris Gold Wagon with Cristian Reyes aboard and Runninagainstdwind and Martin Munoz in the center of the track. The closer the wire came, the clearer it became AP Political Patriot had a big shot to get there first.

He conquered his opponents by one-half length in 17.650 to keep his young career in undefeated mode. Beachin Famous finished second over Runninagainstdwind, who was just a neck ahead of the pair Jefris Gold Wagon and DNA Politicalfighter ridden by Alberto Ceron, who dead-heated for fourth.

Betting was spread evenly across the board on several horses, and AP Political Patriot ended up the bettor’s choice, paying $7.20 for the win. He now has more than $90,000 on his card after only two starts.

"We wanted to start him earlier this year, but every time he went to the track, he wanted to go 100 percent," said Preciado, who has a mechanical engineering and physics degree and trains horses as a side job.

"He had some injury problems and got a little shin sore on us, so we made the decision to kick him out in the field for 90 days and give him some rest. We knew he had a little more after his trial win. The jockey (Francisco Quintero) had a good hold on him when he saw he was going to win. The whip didn’t even come down at all, so we thought he had more to give."

Although Preciado is new to training, he is not new to horses. Growing up, his family worked with horses through his dad’s involvement. His passion for horses has rubbed off on the younger Preciado.

"My dad started it all," added Preciado. "We have owned horses since I was in middle school. We would break horses all the time, mainly for pleasure riding, but eventually got involved in racing. After I graduated from college, we decided to give it a try."

Preciado will return to his mechanical engineering job after the holiday and will have a few extra photos to hang on his office wall. He currently works for Genesis Products in Goshen, Ind. He designs the inside of delivery trucks, a job he had waiting for him upon graduating from Notre Dame.

"I’ve been very fortunate," added Preciado. "I have worked for this company since I graduated. It’s a great company to work for."

As a marker for the first Restricted Grade 3 event for Quarter Horse racing, jockey statues were added this year outside the winner’s circle to commemorate both the QHRAI SSA Futurity and the Miss Roxie Little Futurity, which also gained RG3 status in 2023 and will be run in October.

The black and red silks of the Preciado Stable will be painted on the jockey statue representing the QHRAI SSA Futurity. Representing the first career stakes winner for trainer Oscar Preciado is a good reward.

It was a first for Eos Apolitical Win, a new stallion in the state of Indiana who stands at West Central Veterinary Services and is managed by Pam Hann. AP Political Patriot is now the young stallion’s top performer by purse earnings and his first Restricted Graded Stakes winner.

Tim Eggleston saddled runner-up Beachin Famous for owner-breeder Steve Mullins of Oklahoma. The son of Escondido Beach has a record of 1-2-1 from five starts and $54,862 in the bank. He is out of Famous Dash To Me by One Famous Eagle.

H & E Ranch Inc. bred Runninagainstdwind in Oklahoma out of the Corona Cocktail mare Theslatesclean. Ricardo Martinez trains the winning son of leading freshman sire Uncle D. He has earned $36,465 from five starts for owner Carlos Ramos.

Jefris Gold Wagon (DH), Dna Politicalfighter (DH), Hf Jest Reno, Jess A Beach Man, Killin Time, Escondido Gold and Flashy Beach Dhd complete the order of finish.

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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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