Preview Racing


Rockys Candy Shop heads $121,600 Sterlie Bertram Memorial Stakes at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
Rockys Candy Shop will look to extend his win streak to three in the 10th running of the Sterlie Bertram Memorial Stakes Saturday at Indiana Grand.

© Linscott Photography
Rockys Candy Shop heads $121,600 Sterlie Bertram Memorial Stakes at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino

SHELBYVILLE, IN—SEPTEMBER 15, 2018—Rockys Candy Shop has been a top performer at Indiana Grand all season long, and he will look to extend his win streak to three in the 10th running of the $121,600 Sterlie Bertram Memorial Stakes Saturday at Indiana Grand.

The 400-yard sprint is carded as the ninth race on the program with an estimated post time of 9:49 p.m.

Owned by Lance Finlinson of Greenwood, Ind., Rockys Candy Shop raced with little impact as a two-year-old but has returned to the scene in 2018 with different results. The son of Fantastic Corona Jr. has won five of his six starts this season, including the $131,000 Blue River Derby and the $76,000 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Derby.

The well-bred Rockys Candy Shop cruised in his trial, turning in the fastest time of :19.697 seconds to lead the field into the final. Rockys Candy Shop will begin from post seven in the 10-horse lineup as the 1-1 favorite for jockey Jose Beltran and trainer Randy Smith. Both Beltran and Smith are currently atop the standings in their respective categories.

Trainer Erin Thompson is putting the final touches on Kitty Sixup in anticipation of the Sterlie Bertram Memorial Stakes Saturday at Indiana Grand. © Tammy Knox
Be Afraid will be the biggest obstacle for Rockys Candy Shop. The three-year-old son of Tac It Like A Man was the second fastest qualifier in the trials with a time of :19.741 seconds and was a winner in his trial. Owned by Carlos Ramos and trained by Ricardo Martinez, Be Afraid begins his journey from post 10 at odds of 3-1.

Beach Mercedes, a stablemate to Rockys Candy Shop in the Smith barn, is the third choice on the morning line at odds of 6-1. The Escondido Beach filly is the only horse to defeat Rockys Candy Shop this year, scoring the win in the QHRAI SSA Derby trials. Beach Mercedes starts from post eight with Rodney Prescott aboard.

The entire field for the Bertram Memorial Final, in post-position order with jockey and odds, includes:

  1. HQH Fancy Pants (Juan Galvan, 30-1)
  2. Apollitical Regard (L.D. Martinez, 20-1)
  3. Jessalilsecret (Shanley Jackson, 12-1)
  4. Beach Treat (Giovani Vasquez-Gomez, 12-1)
  5. Pappa Sleeps N Silk (Ruben Cacho, 30-1)
  6. HF Dont Tempt Me (Luis Guerrero, 30-1)
  7. Rockys Candy Shop (Jose Beltran, 1-1)
  8. Beach Mercedes (Rodney Prescott, 6-1)
  9. Kitty Sixup (Cesar Esqueda, 12-1)
  10. Be Afraid (Sergio Ramirez, 3-1)

Smith will saddle three in the final, including Jessalilsecret, Rockys Candy Shop and Beach Mercedes.

The race will be the nightcap on a busy night at Indiana Grand, which features Pink Out Night and Boots ‘N Brews. Pink Out Night will kick off with a Cancer Survivors Walk along the track into the barn area leading into live racing at 6:05 p.m. The first race is dedicated as the "Cancer Survivors Classic" to celebrate those who have overcome the disease along with their family and friends who have been affected by cancer.

Boots ‘N Brews is presented by the Indiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) and will feature numerous free activities during racing, including live entertainment, a mechanical bull, rodeo roper, bounce house, face painting, brew specials and a laptop giveaway drawing open to all students with a valid student identification card.

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.