SHELBYVILLE, IN—OCTOBER 27, 2018—Dominyun Cartel and Jose Beltran may have been overlooked coming into the 10th running of the $180,300 Miss Roxie Little Futurity, but they didn’t let that stop them on the track. The duo came out of the starting gate with guns blazing and never looked back, scoring the win in the 350-yard dash in a time of :17.578 seconds.

Horses from the inside post positions had been faring well all night and the trend continued in the Miss Roxie Little Futurity. Heavily favored Nachito Coronel and Sergio Ramirez caught the attention of racing fans from post three, but it was Dominyun Cartel who got out of the gate the quickest just to his inside from post two.

Dominyun Cartel fought hard to maintain his spot atop the field of 10 finalists in the Miss Roxie Little and his desire to win was evident in the final strides, holding off Nachito Coronel for the win by a neck. Abe with Cristian Esqueda aboard, rallied up late to finish third.

"He (Dominyun Cartel) got out quick and he was still staying on the front," said Beltran. "When I asked him to go, he started going on. I saw the other horse (Nachito Coronel) started catching and catching but he stayed strong all the way to the wire."

Owned by breeder Brian Gunder of Lewisburg, Ohio, Dominyun Cartel rewarded his backers with payoffs of $28.40, $9.40 and $5.60 across the board. The two-year-old chestnut son of Dominyun earned his third win in his sixth career start for Gunder and trainer Erin Thompson. The partnership will have some horses to look forward to in the coming years. He is out of the Corona Cartel mare Dreamers Cartel.

"We have three weanlings coming up from this mare (Dreamers Cartel)," said Gunder. "And, one is by Jess Good Candy. Bart Sachleben also has a yearling that will be running here next year that is a full brother to Dreamers Liaison, so we have a lot to look forward to and be excited about."

Gunder has been in the horse racing industry his whole life. He got started by galloping horses at a young age for trainer Chester Gayheart. Later in life, he got into trucking and currently owns a trucking company, Cordell Transportation, out of Dayton, Ohio. Gunder also has a breeding farm in Richmond, Ind. where all of his brood mares and babies are born and raised.

The breeding operation also includes one stallion, My Royal Wagon, who Gunder campaigned to a third place finish in the $1 million Grade I Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs. The Pyc Paint Your Wagon horse was retired in 2017 and now stands at the Richmond, Ind. operation.

Thompson has had several stakes wins at Indiana Grand the past few years, but the victory with Dominyun Cartel in the Miss Roxie Little Futurity marks her biggest stakes win to date.

"This is a really nice colt and he’s been training great all year long," said Thompson. "It’s definitely a team effort between Brian and his wife, Laura, and Jose. He’ll be back next year."

Earlier this week, Thompson opened up her barn to several hundred National FFA students who were in the area for the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Dominyun Cartel was one of the tour favorites as kids interacted with him during their trip to the barn area.

"This colt has a great personality," added Thompson. "He has happy feet and he is always showing off a lot. He’s just a horse that is always happy."

Another individual that was extremely happy following the win with Dominyun Cartel was Beltran, who is well on his way to earning the 2018 Leading Quarter Horse Jockey title at Indiana Grand. His win aboard Dominyun Cartel was his 30th of the meet and boosted his purse earnings to more than $650,000 this season at Indiana Grand. After thanking the connections of Dominyun Cartel, Beltran was quick to credit Roy and Penny Moore for mentoring him and bringing him to the United States.

"I owe everything to Roy and Penny (Moore)," said Beltran. "For four years, they helped me for my Visa. And, I’ve had a really good year this year at Indiana Grand. If it weren’t for those two, I wouldn’t be here today. I love you guys." Fastest qualifier Nachito Coronel earned $36,06 for finishing second. Trainer Ricardo Martinez saddled the son Habits Secret for owner Patricia Del Rocio Lopez. Sergio Ramirez had the riding assignment.

Also bred by Martinez, the sorrel gelding is out of Sassy Shaelan by Bono Jazz. Also a finalist in the Gordon Mobley Futurity earlier this season, Nachito Coronel has earned $50,360 this season.

The Randy Thompson bred, owned-and-trained Abe picked up $18,030 for third, boosting his earnings total to $136,695. Jockey Cristian Esqueda rode the Indiana homebred by Jazz Be First from the First Illusions mare Magics Born Illusion. In June the brown gelding won the Gordon Mobley Futurity.

Famous Cucuy, Hf Greatbawlsoffire, Rk The Magician, Yadi 1, Daddys Moe, One Smart Jess and Rarely A Tres completed the field.

The 16th season of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 7. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:05 p.m. with Saturday racing beginning at 6:05 p.m.

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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.