SHELBYVILLE, IN—JULY 29, 2016—A break from racing since the end of May had little effect on Beach Cartel, who rallied home the winner in a $20,000 Quarter Horse allowance race Friday, July 29. Now four, 2015 Three-Year-Old Quarter Horse of the Year is nine for 12 lifetime.

Starting from post eight in the nine-horse lineup, Beach Cartel had a clean break and exploded out of the gate for good early positioning. Halfway through the 400-yard dash, the son of Escondido Beach seemed to switch into another gear that lengthened his stride and made him float across the finish line for the one-half length win under the direction of Berkley Packer. Tinys First Pepsi and Jose Beltran landed the second spot to his inside while Sparky McClone and Jose Ruiz finished third. The time of the sprint was :19.965 seconds.

Owned and bred by Sheri Miller, who also stands Escondido Beach at her farm in Shipshewana, Ind., Beach Cartel increased his career earnings to more than $235,000. Randy Smith, Indiana Grand’s leading Quarter Horse trainer, conditions the horse known as “Earl” around the stable.

Beach Cartel has now won eight of his last nine starts. His victories include three stakes wins. Heavily favored in the race, Beach Cartel paid $3.40, $2.40, $2.10 across the board.

Beach Cartel most likely used the race as a tune up for the upcoming $75,000 Bob Woodard Memorial Classic set for Saturday, Aug. 27. Trials will be held Saturday, Aug. 13 during the third night of all-Quarter Horse racing at Indiana Grand. In addition to the trials for the Woodard Memorial, trials will also be held for the $100,000 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Futurity and Derby as well as the $30,000 Speed Sale Futurity and the $30,000 Leader of the Class Stakes.

The evening will also include additional promotions off the track for “Hometown Showdown Throwdown,” an event featuring Indiana University versus Purdue University. Yogi Ferrel of IU, who recently signed with the Brooklyn Nets, will be included in a meet and greet session with Purdue University basketball player Robbie Hummel. The pair will also participate in some fun skills games during racing.

Additional all-Quarter Horse nights for 2016 include Saturday, Sept. 10, Saturday, Oct. 8 and Saturday, Oct. 22. A total of 20 stakes races are offered for Quarter Horses at Indiana Grand in 2016 with stakes money in excess of $1.5 million.

Live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is conducted Tuesday through Friday at 2:05 PM EST with Saturday racing beginning at 6:05 PM. The 120-day season runs through Saturday, Oct. 29.

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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.