SHELBYVILLE, IN—JULY 7, 2018— It was a battle to the finish line for the talented field of seven in the 20th running of the $40,000 Bradford Stakes. The final nod was awarded to the small but mighty Woop Dee Doo, who covered the 400-yard dash in a time of :19.885 seconds.

Starting from post three, Woop Dee Doo and Sergio Ramirez were in tight quarters, right in between Encore and Gerardo Garrido to the inside and Tommy The Train and Berkley Packer on the outside. The trio exchanged some pretty strong bumps before both Encore and Woop Dee Doo were able to break away and find a straight path. Encore had the first lead, but Woop Dee Doo soon countered, getting the edge halfway down the stretch before pulling away to a one and one-half length victory. Encore was second, just a nose ahead of Tommy The Train.

Owned and trained by Ricardo Martinez, Woop Dee Doo is just under the $250,000 career earnings mark. The victory for the small but mighty Quarter Horse in the Bradford Stakes was his eighth career trip to the winner's circle, giving him a perfect two for two record this season.

"We raced him here as a two-year-old and then as a three-year-old, we sent him to Oklahoma and he was second in the Heritage Place Derby," said Martinez. "Last year, he battled sickness and didn't really race very well for us, but he seems to have bounced back. He's a very sound horse. We just have trouble finding races for him. We will pay him into the Championships and see how he does."

Woop Dee Doo had one noticeable difference when he stepped onto the track for the Bradford. He was wearing a breastplate.

"He actually lost a couple of races because of that," added Martinez. "His saddle slipped back. He is a little sway back, so we put that (breastplate) on him for the first time tonight, and it really helped. He's really an easy horse to race. He's very sound and doesn't need anything special."

Woop Dee Doo is now four for six over Indiana Grand's racetrack. The five-year-old California-bred son of Good Reason SA out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Racy Eyes now has three stakes victories to his credit. He has only missed the top three twice in 20 career starts, showing his consistency for Martinez. Woop Dee Doo is the former track record holder for 300 yards at Indiana Grand.

The win with Woop Dee Doo was the third on the night for Martinez and the second for Ramirez. Martinez horses swept the early Heartland Futurity Trials, a race Woop Dee Doo won as a two-year-old in 2015 and still holds the stakes record for in a time of :15.348 seconds. Ramirez was aboard the second trial winner, Packin Secrets, for his riding double and Martinez's first winner of the night was Pritty in the first trial of the Heartland Futurity ridden by Juan Galvan.

Encore is a 4-year-old Corona Cartel from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Genuine. Paul Martin conditions the sorrel colt Roger and Kimberly Beam. Gerardo Garrido was riding to earn $10,000. Bobby D. Cox is the breeder.

Trainer Larry Sharp saddled Tommy The Train for owners Jon Barley, Brant Barley and Brad Sharp. Berkley Packer rode the Freighttrain B 4-year-old out of Okie Dokey Annie by Okey Dokey Dale. Duan Murphy bred the multiple stakes winner of more than $224,000.

Hardheaded, Tip It Bac, Wh Kenny G and Sicario completed the field. Stinkin Rich scratched.

The 16th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 7. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:05 p.m. EST with Saturday racing beginning at 6:05 p.m. EST. Thursday racing will be held July 19 and Sept. 6 at 2:05 p.m. EST.

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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.

Pritty, under jockey Juan Galvan, setting the fastest time for the $50,000 Heartland Futurity Saturday at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino.