CV Denali and Jockey Edgar Diaz won the $103,000 Harley Greene Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday.

© Coady Media

By Tammy Knox

SHELBYVILLE, IN–MAY 30, 2026–It's been a long ride for Trainer Claudio Barraza with the Botticelli Shake line. He has had nearly all of her foals, including multiple stakes winner Botticelli Beach.

Now, it's CV Denali's turn to shine on the track. The latest stakes winner by Botticelli Shake adds the $103,000 Harley Greene Derby to her credentials recorded during the first all Quarter Horse Day of 2026 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

CV Denali and Jockey Edgar Diaz qualified as the second fastest from the trials and headed into the starting gate from post eight, on the inside of undefeated and fastest qualifier Beachum and Cristian Penaloza. When the gate sprung, she was willing and able to take on all her competition with a front end running spot early on. Midway through the 350-yard dash, she began to surge forward on the outside, and got a length or two on Beachum, who dipped down to her inside in the final strides.

But it was all CV Denali to take top honors in the 12th running of the Greene Derby Final by one and one-half lengths. Beachum finished a neck ahead of Rock N the Beach and Rolando Pina in the sprint timed in :17.499, the second fastest time recorded in the Greene Derby Final.

"She (CV Denali) is anything but calm," noted Diaz, who is among the top four jockeys this season at Horseshoe Indianapolis. "Everything (credit) goes to the trainer, owner, and the barn for this win."

The winning connections of Cv Denali accept the Harley Green Derby stakes trophy at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday. © Coady Media

CV Denali was the favorite, paying $6.20 for the win. The Escondido Beach three-year-old is now five for six lifetime, experiencing her only defeat last year in the Miss Roxie Little Futurity Final to Rock N the Beach. The filly was born and raised on Sheri Miller's farm in Shipshewana, Ind. where Escondido Beach stood until his passing last August. She was purchased privately by Campos Family Ventures of Connersville, Ind. and picked up their farm name of CV Denali to start her racing career last season.

"We have been doing nothing but working with her continuously in the gate," said Barraza. "But she withheld from the pressure today. She is a high energy filly and that energy comes from her mother. Botticelli Beach was the same way. This filly has the same body as Botticelli Beach, she is just a different color."

CV Denali moves into the $266,000 range in career earnings. After winning her Greene Derby trial, she is now two for two in 2026.

The race is named in honor of longtime Indiana State Fair Inspector Harley Greene, who missed the running of the race for the first time in 12 years due to health issues. Brian Elmore, longtime friend of Greene, recently visited with him and brought a message to participants and racing fans.

"There is nobody more important to Indiana Quarter Horse racing than Harley Greene," said Brian Elmore, former Quarter Horse trainer, owner, and executive in Indiana racing. "He could not be here today because his health prevented him from attending and he hated that. He is now 91 years old, and he wanted me to extend his congratulations to the winners. He also sends all his love and admiration to all horsemen and horsewomen and thanks everyone for their friendship over the years."

In addition to CV Denali, Diaz and Barraza teamed up for a win in the $30,000 Maiden Stakes Final with Jess a Favorite. The Favorite Cartel filly earned her first career win in her fifth career start for owner Ulises Varela. The Oklahoma bred filly was a winner by a nose in the four-horse photo that placed her first over Maleficent Dash and Alberto Ceron-Zamudio. Keep Her Off Tequila and Rolando Pina won the photo over Coyote Kiss and Yovani Flores-Munoz for third.

The 24th season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse extends through Friday, November 13. Quarter Horse racing is highlighted on five more days throughout the season. The next all-Quarter Horse day is set for Saturday, June 27 with a first post time of 10:45 a.m. at Horseshoe Indianapolis. For more information on racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find details on social media @HSIndyRacing.

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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). ©2026 Caesars License Company, LLC.

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