Wrs Valentino, under jockey Juan Marquez, defends his title Tuesday to pick up his second consecutive Horseshoe Indianapolis Overnight Stakes victory.

© Coady Photography

SHELBYVILLE, IN–JUNE 6, 2023–Multiple stakes winner and post time favorite Wrs Valentino scored his eighth black type win on Tuesday in a three-quarter length effort in his 2023 debut, the $35,100 Horseshoe Indianapolis Overnight Stakes.

In a determined effort under jockey Juan Marquez, Wrs Valentino completed the 350 yards in :17.692 seconds, equaling a 95 speed index with a 6 mph tailwind, to pick up his second consecutive win  in the Horseshoe Indianapolis Overnight Stakes. It was the 12th career win for the 7-year-old son of multiple stakes sire Mighty B Valiant.

Trainer Randy Smith saddled the Williams Racing Stables Kentucky homebred.  Out of the Teller Cartel mare Wrs Kissandteller, Wrs Valentino earned $19,692 to increase his earnings total to $495,085.

Last year's Horseshoe Indianapolis Overnight Stakes win propelled Wrs Valentino to three wins in four starts. In 2022 he also won the Indiana Championship Stakes in his last start September 29 and the Bradford Stakes.

Making her first start against older horses, Piloted By An Angel earned $7,220 for finishing second. The 3-year-old stakes winning daughter of Paint My Pilot  races for owners Deborah Smith and SJC, Inc. Also from the Randy Smith stable, the filly was bred by Dunn Ranch. 

Antonio Rodriguez had the riding assignment aboard the $151,021 earner.  She won the Jaguar Rocket Futurity and was second in the Leader Of The Class sale Futurity last year.

Colorado-bred On A New Note finished a head back to earn $3,610 for third. Again from the barn of trainer Randy Smith the 5-year-old One Fabulous Eagle mare races for owner Brian Gunder and was ridden by German Rodriguez.  Thomas Bradbury bred the bay mare from the Corona Cartel mare Corona Cerveza. She is a multiple stakes winner of $171,670.

Mr Michael, Hooked On Jordan, Alota Lovin, Kenoma, Nokiddn, Our Louisiana Girl and The Artful Dodger completed the field.

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The 21st season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Friday, Nov. 17. Live racing is held Monday through Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. with Thursday post time set for 2:10 p.m. Saturday racing will be held during the summer months featuring six all-Quarter Horse dates June 3, July 1, July 22, Aug. 12, Sept. 2, and Oct. 7 beginning at 10:45 a.m. Indiana’s featured event, the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby is set for Saturday, July 8 with a first post time of 12 p.m. Also, the Summer Saturday Racing Series includes seven Thoroughbred racing cards beginning Saturday, June 10 through Saturday, Aug. 26. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis.