SHELBYVILLE, IN—OCTOBER 24, 2020—WRs Moonin Thewagon and Sammy Mendez rallied late in the race to win the 24th running of the $132,560 Governor's Stakes today (Oct. 24) at Indiana Grand.

The flashy grey gelding moved in late in the 350-yard dash to score the win in a time of :17.799 seconds.

Starting from post nine in the 10-horse final, WRs Moonin Thewagon was a factor from the start. The Moonin the Eagle gelding was holding his own on the outside as On A New Note and Isidro Banuelos were doing the same on the inside.

On A New Note had a slight advantage in the final stages but WRs Moonin Thewagon began to lengthen his stride and rolled right on by for the win by a length over On a New Note. Kisses Forever and German Rodriguez finished third.

Owned and bred by Gwen and Randy Williams' Williams Racing Stable, WRs Moonin Thewagon was the favorite of the field, paying $3.20, $2.60, $2.10 for the win. It was his third trip to the winner's circle in five starts and marked the third straight win for Trainer Randy Smith. It also marked the first stakes winner for his sire, Moonin The Eagle.

Smith, who has stalls on the grounds at Indiana Grand, splits his stable and his time between the track and his farm just down the road. However, WRs Moonin Thewagon spends as much time as possible at the farm.

"He doesn't ship good at all," said Smith. "He was about to tear the stall down today when we brought him in, so I went in and put a full set of blinkers with cups on him in the stall. He stood there nice a quiet the rest of the day before it was time to race."

The win by WRs Moonin Thewagon was one of three stakes victories on the card for Williams Racing Stable. They still have the gelding's mother at home and are looking forward to next year.

"We have a full brother to Moon at home and he's grey too," said Randy Williams. "We really enjoy watching all our colts play at home. Our house sits in the middle and we have paddocks on three sides, so we watch them a lot. The funny thing about Moon is he was turned out with three others when he was little. They would get to running, and he always ran behind them. He doesn't run behind them anymore."

The Williams work with their babies and prepare them for the next phase of their career. Once the time comes, they hand them off to Smith.

"I enjoy working with them, but once Randy (Smith) comes down and picks them up, I don't have to fool with them anymore," added Randy Williams. "The thing about this is it takes a whole team effort to get here, and everyone has to do their job. It takes a lot of hard work, and we want to thank the entire team and Randy and Deb (Smith) for all their time and work with the horses."

Brian Gunder's On A New Note earned $26,512 for second. Jeff Yoder trains the One Fabulous Eagle filly out of Corona Cerveza by Corona Cartel. Thomas Bradbury bred the brown filly in Colorado. After finishing second in her All American trial at Ruidoso Downs in September, On A New Note broke her maiden in the Governors Stakes trials. Ridden by Isidro Banuelos, she has earned $37,477 this season.

A head back, Anthony Cunningham's owned-and-trained Kisses Forever earned $13,256 for third. German Rodriguez rode the Kiss My Hocks filly out of Forever Bradgelina by Shazoom. Beauprez, Bradbury and Bradbury are the breeders. With a second-place effort in the QHRAI SSA Futurity in August, she has earned $58,954.

Julias Dazzle, Wanna Be A Runaway, Jess Ally, Aa Strom The Mozoomo, Sheza Bodacious, Bp Fancy Lady and Lone Carte completed the official order of finish.

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