SHELBYVILLE, IN—JUNE 1, 2019—First Habits has been the horse that just couldn't get everything together in the past. He always qualified for finals, but could never secure the win. That scenario changed Saturday when First Habits scored his first career stakes win in the fifth running of the $92,200 Harley Greene Derby.

Starting from post eight in the 10-horse field, First Habits did not make a splash early in the race as Rubys Stone and Fernando Morin got the first call from the inside. However, First Habits seemed to make up lost ground early and became a threat halfway down the stretch in the 400-yard dash.

He continued to grind his way to the front and was the winner by three-quarters of a length at the wire in a time of :18.081 seconds. Nacho Binez and Jorge Garcia finished second over Above the Brimm and Berkley Packer for third.

First Habits had a new pilot as Oscar Andrade Jr. flew in from California to ride. However it wasn't the first time Andrade had been aboard the three-year-old son of Habits Secret. Andrade and his mother, Elena, who also made the trip to Indiana, broke several horses for trainer Ricardo Martinez two years ago, and First Habits was one of them.

"This horse has been a problem child from the start," said Andrade Jr., who is a top 10 jockey at Los Alamitos. "He didn't break as sharp as I wanted him to, but he came popping through there and surprised us all. At first, he was very short-strided, but once he got comfortable, he began to lengthen his stride and that is a good sign."

Owned by breeder Gerardo Corral and trained by Martinez, First Habits picked up his third career win and more than doubled his career bankroll to more than $82,000 with the win. Martinez, who finished one-two in the race as the trainer of Nacho Binez, also by the Indiana sire Habits Secret, has a long history with First Habits.

"We raced his mother (Balenciaga) and Gerardo (Corral) bred her to my stud (Habits Secret), so we've had him as a baby," said Martinez. "He always qualifies but never wins. This horse has had so many problems and we just can't figure him out. He can run, but he can't get out of the gate. So I called Oscar (Andrade Jr.) and said since he broke him, we would see if he could wake him up and that seemed to work."

Harley Greene, longtime employee for the Indiana Horse Racing Commission and Runner-up Nacho Binez is also by Habits Secret from the Strawfly Special mare Chikita Espesial. Ricardo Martinez is also the owner trainer and breeder of the 2-year-old gelding. He earned $18,440 for the effort.

Third-place finisher Above The Brimm is a son of Brimmstone from the Toast To Dash mare Csc Cinnamon Toast. Randy Smith trains the sorrel gelding for owners/breeders Gordon Timm and Vicki Lundstrum. He picked up $9,220.

Falcon, Rubys Stone, Nachito Coronel, Eyem Yur Sixes, Cruisin The Beach, Famous Cucuy and Dial In Another Win completed the field.

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Harley Greene, longtime employee for the Indiana Horse Racing Commission and an integral part of Indiana Quarter Horse racing for the past six decades, was trackside to make the presentation to the winning connections of First Habits. Greene was joined by more than 25 friends and family members for the presentation.

Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 6. Racing is held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 2:15 p.m. with Saturdays beginning at 6:15 p.m. For more information, visit the website at visit www.IndianaGrand.com.

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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.