SHELBYVILLE, IN—JULY 4, 2020— The first all-Quarter Horse racing day for 2020 kicked off in a big way for the Anthony Cunningham Stable. The team sent out three winners in five trials, including the fastest of the day, Stone Lake. The top 10 qualifiers return for the $150,000 final set for Tuesday, July 21.

Stone Lake, owned by Pattie Marshall, was the early favorite for the fourth trial. With L.D. (Daniel) Martinez aboard, the Escondido Beach gelding stepped out of the gate ready to roll, leading the way to the wire in :15.622. Jess Go Blue and Sammy Mendez finished second over Zoomin Policy and Cesar Esqueda for third.

Stone Lake is now two for two heading to the Mobley Final. He was a $15,000 purchase last fall from the QHRAI Speed Sale in Indiana.

Joining Stone Lake as an undefeated candidate for the Mobley Futurity Final is Beach Diva, winner in the first trial. The Escondido Beach daughter was powerful all the way to the finish, winning by one-half length over stablemate Strokin the Stone and German Rodriguez in a time of :15.691. Gottasmoochjess and Natasha Fritz finished a neck back for third.

Beach Diva brings in impressive credentials into the Mobley Futurity Final. She is a full sister to Indiana standout Beach Cartel, top five all-time leading Indiana Quarter Horse for in purse earnings. Sheri Miller owns both Beach Diva and Beach Cartel and stands Indiana’s premier sire Escondido Beach at her farm in northern Indiana.

“Sheri sent this filly to us last year to break,” said Cunningham, top five all-time trainer and owner in Quarter Horse racing at Indiana Grand. “We also bought the six (Strokin the Stone) from Glen (Miller) and Sheri. This filly (Beach Diva) has been good all along and has shown a lot of promise.”

Cunningham will be busy for the Mobley Futurity Final as he has four qualified, including second trial winner ZZ Stones Ablazing. Owned and bred by Craig Zeneberg, the freshman son of Brimmstone rallied home late for jockey Martinez by one-half length in :15.764. Beach Fun and Cesar Esqueda finished second over Ashwins Valentine and Cristian Reyes for third.

The third trial of the day went to Mitey Persuasive and Erik Esqueda. Trained by Randy Thompson for owner-breeder Ted Harpold, the Jazz Be First gelding wasn’t the first out of the gate, but he recovered quickly and got into the mix, posting a one-half length victory in a time of :15.754. Beach Shaking and Martinez moved up to second followed by HF Fillittothe Brim and Giovani Vazquez-Gomez.

“We got him in February and he already had 60 days training on him when we got him,” said Thompson, who currently has 14 in training. “He’s been one of the better ones when we started doing speed work. He’s shown a lot of talent. I’m fortunate to have some really good help. My assistant trainer, Shelby (Weintraut), does a really good job with all of them.”

Erik Esqueda was aboard Mitey Persuasive for the first time in a race, and he felt good about the gelding’s performance.

“He leaned back at the start but after the third jump out he came right back,” said Esqueda. “I kept after him a little and he finished good. He’s a nice one.”

The second quickest winner was recorded in the final trial of the day as Beach Stone captured an impressive victory with Juan Marquez aboard. The Brimmstone gelding held his ground inside, getting the edge by a neck over WH Imastreakinbeach and Erik Esqueda to their inside at the wire. HH Callieforyakrome and Cesar Esqueda finished third. The time for the 300 yards was :15.658.

“We’ve thought all along he was the best two-year-old we had here this year,” said Trainer Paul Martin. “He stumbled in his maiden start, but he broke well today, especially for this colt. Juan (Marquez) did a good job riding him. He’s not a big colt but he’s really quick on his feet. I think he will have more in the tank as he matures out.” Beach Stone is owned by Martin’s son, Tyler. He is the first foal from the tough Indiana race mare Coco Beach, who is a full sister to the dam of Beach Cartel and Beach Diva. Miller is the breeder on Beach Stone and will have a lot to cheer for in the Mobley final as four of the qualifiers were bred by her, including the top three, Stone Lake, Beach Stone and Beach Diva.

For the complete list of qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE

In addition to four saddled by Cunningham (Stone Lake, Beach Diva, ZZ Stones Ablazing, Stroking the Stone), Thompson will saddle two (Mitey Persuasive, Beach Fun) and Paul Martin will saddle two (Beach Stone, Zoomin Policy).

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Live racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 18 with action held Monday through Thursday beginning at 2:20 p.m. Four Saturday programs are slated for all-Quarter Horse days set for July 4, Aug. 8, Oct. 23 and Oct. 24.

About Indiana Grand Racing & Casino: Indiana Grand Racing & Casino holds multiple awards from industry publications for customer service, entertainment, gaming and dining. Located in Shelbyville, Ind., Indiana Grand features 2,200 of the latest slots and electronic table games in addition to a one-mile dirt race course and a seven-eighths mile turf course offering live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing each year. Simulcast wagering is also offered year-round at Winner's Circle Brewpub & OTB located on the casino floor as well as an off-track betting facility located in Clarksville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.IndianaGrand.com.