Racing


Tommy The Train on the fast track in Governor’s Stakes at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
Tommy The Train (#4), under jockey David Pinon, defeating Damm Strait (#7) in the $139,440 Governor’s Stakes Saturday at Indiana Grand.

© Linscott Photography
Tommy The Train on the fast track in Governor’s Stakes at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino

SHELBYVILLE, IN—OCTOBER 22, 2016—Tommy the Train was impressive in his Governor’s Stakes trial for. He was even more impressive in the final of the 20th running of the $139,440 Governor’s Stakes Saturday as part of the all-Quarter Horse racing program at Indiana Grand.

The top qualifier rolled to victory in the race, which is one of three original stakes races that began the first year of pari-mutuel Quarter Horse racing in the state of Indiana in 1997 held at Hoosier Park.

Starting from post four in the 10-horse lineup, Tommy the Train and jockey David Pinon had a slight misstep out of the gate that allowed others to grab an early lead. The Freighttrain B freshman quickly recovered and halfway through the 350-yard dash, he was making up ground on early leaders Wrs Whoseyourdaddy and Juan Galvan as well as Damn Strait and Rodney Prescott.

The winning connections of Tommy The Train accept Governor's Stakes trophy. © Linscott Photography
The power from Tommy the Train was very evident in the final strides as the gelding moved up for the win by a nose on the inside of Damn Strait in another photo finish between several horses at the finish line. Eyes So Sweet and Alejandro Luna rallied up along the inside to get the edge for third. The time of the race was :17.640 seconds.

“It takes a good horse to stumble and come back and pass horses like that,” said Pinon. “He (Tommy the Train) is a good horse and I’m very blessed to ride him. He ran a perfect race and you couldn’t ask for more.”

Tommy the Train paid $4.40, $3.20 and $2.40 as the favorite. Owned by Brant and Jon Barley as well as Brad Sharp, he is now on a three-race win streak. The Missouri-bred had turned in all of his starts on Oklahoma tracks before shipping to Indiana for trainer Larry Sharp.

“He (Tommy the Train) is amazing,” said Sharp. “He just keeps getting better. I think he will be a real big three-year-old. His half sister (Sudden Separation) just ran second in the earlier stakes (Indiana Championships). If he lives up to her, he will be fine.”

Tommy the Train increased his career bankroll to just under the $100,000 mark with his win. He is now four for six in his career.

“I was a little worried about him being the fastest qualifier,” said Brant Barley. “Sometimes that’s not the best. But I thought if he could leave, he’d be right there.”

Tommy the Train will now get a break from racing, and Sharp says they will let him take some time off before they bring him back as a three-year-old.

Damm Strait is a Dominyun gelding race for owner M.C. Stucks and trainer Rodney Reed. Bred by Bobby D. Cox, the sorrel gelding earned $27,888 for second.

Sacramento Chavez saddled Eyes So Sweet, a One Sweet Jess filly for owner Jose Chavez. Sunflower Supply Co. bred the bay in Missouri. Ridden by Alejandro Luna, Eyes So Sweet picked up $13,944 for third.

Ladys Live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse continues through Saturday, Oct. 29. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:05 PM EST with Saturday racing beginning at 6:05 PM.

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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.