Mr Michel (#10), piloted by Edgar Diaz, wins the $111,920 Indiana Championship Stakes by a neck at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday

© Coady Photography

SHELBYVILLE, IN–OCTOBER 28, 2023–Mr Michel came roaring down the stretch in the final strides to win the $111,920 Indiana Championship in thrilling fashion at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The field of 10 was stretched across the track at the finish with Mr Michel and Edgar Diaz getting the nod at the wire.

Coming out of the gate, Mr Michel wasn’t even in the conversation. Wrs Valentino and Daniel Martinez got a good break and had a head in front early over Had to Be Ivory and Berkley Packer. 

The field traveled together through the 440-yard dash and most of the attention was on the inside horses as they came closer to the wire. However, in a big burst of speed, Mr Michel kicked into a different gear late and came sprinting home to the wire for the win by a neck over Tachas Secret and Fernando Morin in the eight-horse photo. Tachas Secret held her own against the older horses to finish second over the veteran Wrs Valentino.

 ''He has always been a big closer and he’s always been good at 400 yards,” said Diaz through interpretation. ''The last 40 yards helped get him the win today.''

The winning connections of Mr Michel accept the $111,920 Indiana Championship Stakes trophy at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday. © Coady Photography

Mr Michel was overlooked at the windows, paying $14.20 for the win. The four-year-old sorrel son of Kiss My Hocks is owned by Alberto Valadez and trained by Claudio Barraza. He was bred by Indiana’s Mark Michel, who he shares a name with.

''This horse is a once in a lifetime horse,” said Barraza, who has had the gelding from the beginning of his racing career. I was watching and at 200 yards, he was still back in the pack and was still trailing. I thought he wasn’t going to be able to get there today. But I looked up and next thing you know he was right there. I really thought the six (Tachas Secret) got it because it was close. But they posted 10 (Mr Michel) and I was very excited.”

Mr Michel earned his ninth career win in the stellar lineup of older race and his third in five starts for 2023. It was his fifth stakes win dating all the way back to his first on Indiana Champions Day two years ago at two when he won the Miss Roxie Little Futurity. Barraza knows the horse well and has campaigned him to more than $388,000 in career earnings.

''He’s a little spoiled,” admits Barraza. ''And, he’s potbellied. That’s what makes him special. But seriously, he’s all heart. He will get a big break now after this race today.”

Barraza trains full time in the Hoosier State near Connersville, Ind. for Campos Family Ventures, but retained Mr Michel in his small stable. He oversees the conditioning of 12 horses and earned his 10th win of the meet with Mr Michel, which secures him in the top 10 Quarter Horse trainers this season.

Runner up Tachas Secret, who was favored to win, broke her four run win streak after placing second. The daughter of Habits Secret has lit the board 10 outs from 12 starts with seven career wins and $194,516 in the bank.

Trainer Ricardo Martinez bred Tachas Secret in Indiana out of Sin Tachas Angel by Pyc Paint Your Wagon. The three-year-old filly is owned by Duke Racing LLC.

Third-place finisher Wrs Valentino has lit the board in eery out from 25 starts with 13 wins and $525,527 in earnings. Tony Cunningham conditions the seven-year-old gelding by Might B Valiant for owner Williams Racing Stables Inc. The eight-time stakes winner is out of Wrs Kissandteller by Teller Cartel.

Hh C J Shake, Had To Be Ivory, Lil Pete El Soruyo, High Rolling Seize, On A New Note, Cv Struttinforakiss and Winner Spirit. Hooked On Jordan, Jess B One, Miss Royal Snow and Oscar Mike were scratched.

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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 Thursday. First post Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is 2:30 p.m. Thursday and select Friday racing begins at 2:10 p.m. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis.

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