Mr Michel and jockey Edgar Diaz score a narrow victory in the $32,300 Carter Riley Overnight Stakes on June 2 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

© Coady Media

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

SHELBYVILLE, IN–JUNE 2, 2026–Mr Michel added another stakes victory to his impressive record on Tuesday, taking the $32,300 Carter Riley Overnight Stakes at Horseshoe Indianapolis for owner Alberto Valadez and trainer Claudio Barraza.

The 350-yard stakes for 3-year-olds and older saw the accomplished Indiana-bred gelding prevail by a neck under jockey Edgar Diaz.

Breaking sharply from the rail, Mr Michel dueled for the lead before edging clear in the final strides to stop the clock in :17.989 over a fast track.

The son of champion sire Kiss My Hocks was bred by Mark Michel and originally sold for $17,500 in the QHRAI Sale before being repurchased for $200,000 at the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale.

The winning connections of Mr Michel accept the $32,300 Carter Riley Overnight Stakes trophy at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Tuesday. © Coady Media

Out of the stakes-winning Likenothinyoueversaw mare Lovemelikethat ($277,820), Mr Michel is a full brother to stakes winner Kissmelikethat ($100,304). Lovemelikethat is also a full sister to stakes winners One Smart Jess ($82,704) and Heza Fast Kisser ($77,995).

The victory improved Mr Michel's record to 33 starts with 18 wins, six seconds and one third while boosting his earnings to $756,160. He concluded his 2025 campaign with a victory in the Indiana Championship Stakes and has now captured 12 stakes victories, including the Grade 1 Leo Stakes and Grade 2 SLM Big Daddy Stakes.

TW Trumps Secrets, ridden by Diego Villamil Bocanegra for owner-breeder Thomas Wylie and trainer Natasha Perez, finished second after a game effort.

The gelding by Mr Apollitical Dash out of the Mr Eye Opener mare Eyes So Blue now sports a record of 11-2-3-3 with earnings of $69,186. Still seeking his first stakes victory, his best previous stakes finish came when third in the Miss Roxie Little Futurity.

Apololitical Wagon finished another half-length back in third under Giovani Vazquez-Gomez for owner Darryl Murray and trainer Jessica Vazquez.

 Bred by Bob Moore Farms LLC, the $45,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate is by champion Apollitical Blood and out of the stakes-placed PYC Paint Your Wagon mare PYC First Prize Fany ($92,303), a full sister to stakes winners PYC Fun N Fancy ($478,760) and Im A Fancy PYC ($454,765).

The gelding now has a record of 19-4-4-3 with earnings of $144,447 and is a winner of the QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Derby.

After School finished fourth, followed by This Is the One and Famous Lollipop. Beach Burner, Beach Chickz, Flyin Cowgirl and Kelli Girl were scratched from the race.

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

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.