Racing


WR Hott Shott Leads Way In Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby Trials
WR Hott Shott, who posted the fastest time on the day in the Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby trials, was ridden by jockey Eduardo Diaz.

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WR Hott Shott Leads Way In Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby Trials

By Tammy Knox

SHELBYVILLE, IN–MAY 30, 2026–It’s officially Quarter Horse Stakes season at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Included on the first all-Quarter Horse racing program of 2026 were three trials for the $112,920 Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby, which will be contested on Thursday, June 18.

Leading the way among 30 starters is WR Hott Shott, who posted the fastest time on the day of :19.856.

WR Hott Shott was the strong morning line favorite but was not the post time favorite in the first trial on the day. The three-year-old son of One Famous Eagle began from post seven and immediately made an impact on the race.

Guided by Eduardo Diaz, the Oklahoma bred gelding rallied gate to wire for the win by a neck over TW Streakin Cowboy, who closed to finish second for Diego Villamil Bocanegra with the second fastest time on the day. Remember Da Queen and Leonardo Rodriguez, who flew in to ride from Louisiana, finished third.

WR Hott Shott paid $9.40 for the win. He is a homebred owned by Raymond Whitmire. It was his first start of 2026 and his third career win for trainer Tim Eggleston, who had five wins on the day.

The second fastest trial on the day was recorded in the final trial with Roses After Midnight and Giovani Vazquez-Gomez taking home the top spot in a time of :20.006. She was able to fend off Heza Hawkeye and Isidro Banuelos to win by one-half length. Dare to Fly and Edgar Diaz finished third.

Roses After Midnight was also making her first start of 2026, paying $15.80 for the win. The lightly raced daughter of The Marfa Lights earned her first career win in only three career starts for trainer Jessi Vazquez. Roses After Midnight, a $20,000 purchase at the Heritage Place September Yearling Sale, is owned by Ventura Racing.

The third trial winner had the fourth fastest time on the day as Sydney Jack completed Eggleston’s five win day. Guided by Rolando Pina, the Dulce Sin Tacha filly held her own along the inside en route to a neck win over Candy Spice and Oscar Macias at the wire in :20.081. Dare To Fly and Edgar Diaz finished third.

Sydney Jack is owned by Jordan Timm, Gabi Timm, and Gordon Timm. She paid $13.40 for the win in her 2026 debut. The Texas born filly was a $12,000 purchase as a yearling at the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale by the Timm family.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

Tim Eggleston will saddle four in the final (WR Hott Shott, Sydney Jack, Remember Da Queen, Heza Hawkeye) with Trainers Jessi Vazquez (Roses After Midnight, Suzys Kristine) and Claudio Barraza (Dare to Fly, Three Eyed Candy) saddling two.

The Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby will be making its 17th run Thursday, June 18. Final purse money is expected to top $100,000.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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