SHELBYVILLE, IN—SEPTEMBER 9, 2020—Beach Mercedes, the standout five-year-old mare from the Randy Smith Stable, has been tagged as the early morning line favorite in the 18th running of the Indiana Grand Classic set for Monday (Sept. 14).

The $86,460 race features older female Quarter Horses running at a distance of 400 yards and will conclude the program as Race 10 on the card.

Slated in post three, Beach Mercedes ran an impressive second to the boys in her last start in the Bob Woodard Memorial Stakes. The Escondido Beach daughter has not been worse than second this season in four outings and will be ridden by Sammy Mendez, who rides first call for Smith.

Smith is the track’s all-time leading trainer and is currently working on his sixth straight title at the track. Beach Mercedes will kick off the wagering as the favorite at odds of 9-5.

Joining Beach Mercedes as a major contender in the Indiana Grand Classic is Valiantinecandyrocks for the Lily Gonzalez Stable. The four-year-old daughter of Valiant Hero had a bad stumble at the start in the Woodard Memorial Classic in her last outing and was never in contention.

Prior to that, she had two straight wins. Valiantinecandyrocks starts from post seven at odds of 2-1 with Victor Olivo in the irons.

The third choice on the morning line is My Pillow from the Jessi Vazquez Stable. The three-year-old was a winner in her last start for owner Daniel Gamez and ran third earlier this year in the QHRAI Derby.

My Pillow starts from post one at odds of 9-2 with Giovani Vazquez-Gomez aboard.

The Indiana Grand Classic began during the inaugural season of racing at Indiana Grand in 2003. The entire field, includes: My Pillow (Giovani Vazquez-Gomez, 9-2); Cause for Corona (Natasha Fritz, 30-1); Beach Mercedes (Sammy Mendez, 9-5); Tres My Heart (Juan Cruz, 20-1); Apollitical B Beast (Sergio Ramirez, 12-1); Shes a Real Patriot (Erik Esqueda, 20-1); Valiantinecandyrocks (Victor Olivo, 2-1); Shes Relentlesswagon (Antonio Rodriguez, 15-1); Southern Belle BP (German Rodriguez, 20-1); and Wagon Dash (Jose Ruiz, 12-1). Ricardo Martinez will saddle two in the final, Apollitical B Beast and Shes Relentlesswagon.

Estimated post time for the Indiana Grand Classic is 6:30 p.m. (EDT).

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Racing is held Monday through Thursday until Wednesday, Nov. 18. All-Quarter Horse racing is set for Saturday, Oct. 3 and Saturday, Oct. 24. For more information, www.IndianaGrand.com.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, which is owned and operated by a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), holds multiple awards for customer service, entertainment, gaming, dining, and diversity. Located in Shelbyville, Ind., Indiana Grand features more than 2,100 of the latest slots and table games in addition to a one-mile dirt racecourse and a seven-eighths mile turf course providing live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing each year. Simulcast and sports wagering is also offered year-round at Winner's Circle Race Sports Pub located on the casino floor as well as a Winner's Circle Race Sports Pub located in Clarksville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.IndianaGrand.com.

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