Head Patron, ridden by champion jockey James Flores, wins the $126,000 QHRAI Derby by 1 1/2-lengths Saturday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

© Coady Photography

SHELBYVILLE, IN–OCTOBER 29, 2022–It’s very evident Head Patron loves Horseshoe Indianapolis. The sophomore gelding is now five for six over two years of racing and adds the $126,000 QHRAI Derby to his collection of wins during the third annual Indiana Champions Day at Horseshoe Indianapolis featuring purses more than $1 million.

Head Patron was one of three in the race for Horseshoe Indianapolis’ all-time leading trainer Randy Smith, and he was the longest shot of the trio. Starting from post 10, the chestnut son of Zoomin for Bux was alert and ready to go when the gates opened. 

Jockey James Flores, who won the $2.9 million All American Futurity earlier this year, was aboard for the ride and steered the gelding straight to the finish line for the win. The duo won the stakes race in a comfortable one and one-half length advantage over Scandylous and Roman Cruz from the inside. One Night Too Long, another entrant for Smith ridden by German Rodriguez, finished third.

Head Patron was detected as a good bet by several patrons, lowering his morning line odds of 12-1 down to 2.5 to 1 for the race with the horse paying $7.00 for the win. He was a winner in the trials leading up to the QHRAI Derby, turning in the fourth fastest time heading into the final. 

Head Patrion is owned by Brant Barley and bred by Jon and Brant Barley. The Missouri bred is out of Dash Leader by Special Leader. He now has in excess of $200,000 on his card. 

Head Patrion is owned by Brant Barley and bred by Jon and Brant Barley. The Missouri bred is out of Dash Leader by Special Leader. He now has in excess of $200,000 on his card. 

The winning connections of Head Patron accept the QHRAI Derby stakes trophy Saturday afternoon at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
© Coady Photography

“I want to thank the team behind this horse,” said Flores, who has been aboard Head Patron in four of his five wins at Horseshoe Indianapolis. “It seems like every time he gets to Randy, he does well, and he likes it here. He likes the surface and he’s happy here. I think he ran his best race today.”

Flores also noted the assistant starter helped him get a good start, which catapulted him to the stakes win, his second at Horseshoe Indianapolis, adding the victory to the Governor’s Stakes during last year’s Indiana Champions Day.

“I have to thank the assistant starter because he had his feet squared up and ready to go,” added Flores. “I want to thank the owners, too, for giving me this opportunity to ride this horse. I always enjoy coming up to Horseshoe Indianapolis to ride.”

Trained by Jose Huerta, runner-up Scandylous won her first two out in 2022 and the QHRAI Derby is the first blacktype race of her career. The $28,944 share of the purse ups the daughter of Hez Our Secret’s earnings to $63,755.

Breeder Stanley Forbes repurchased Scandylous for $32,500 in the 2020 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. The Texas bred filly was later sold to her current owner Aguila Negra Racing, Inc. 

Devoted Love was sold for $20,000 in this year's Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale by her breeder Jack Powers to owner Jeff Wiley. The Texas bred filly is out of Devoted Love by Desirio.

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

The 20th season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Wednesday, Nov. 23. Live racing is conducted at 2:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday with Thursday post times set for 2:10 p.m. A total of 12 Saturdays will feature live racing in 2022 highlighted by the 28th running of the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby and the 27th running of the Grade 3 $200,000 Indiana Oaks set for Saturday, July 9. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis.

About Horseshoe Indianapolis
Horseshoe Indianapolis, owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR), holds multiple awards for customer service, entertainment, gaming, racing, dining, and diversity. Located just minutes from Indianapolis in Shelbyville, Ind., this one-of-a-kind property has wall to wall excitement on the 105,940 square foot gaming floor, featuring more than 1,600 slots and 72 table games along with a state-of-the-art World Series of Poker Room containing 20 tables. Please visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis for more information and find Horseshoe Indianapolis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.