SHELBYVILLE, IN—JUNE 16 2018—Another impressive performance landed Nachito Coronel in the winner's circle at Indiana Grand. Now three for three in his brief career, the two-year-old son of Habits Secret scored the top spot in the ninth running of the $181.900 Gordon Mobley Futurity Saturday in a stakes record winning time of :15.264 seconds.

Starting from post eight in the 10-horse final, Nachito Coronel made his presence known early in the 300-yard dash. The sorrel gelding took command of the race from the start and found a perfect path to the finish line, untouched by his rivals. He was a half-length winner over Abe and Aron Hunt, who tracked the leader well to finish second. Cruisin the Beach and Giovani Vazquez-Gomez rallied home to finish third.

"I feel very good about this race tonight and Im very happy," said Sergio Ramirez through interpretation by trainer Ricardo Martinez during a post race interview with Nancy Holthus, on-air paddock analyst. "Sergio lives in Georgia. He used to race at Hialeah but when they closed, he stopped racing. I was looking for a jockey for Indiana and a friend of mine suggested Sergio, so that is how he got back into racing."

When Ramirez arrived in Indiana June 1, he had not ridden at a recognized track in four years. After going through some additional testing, including a physical to prove he was fit and ready to ride, Ramirez received his license and he is now four for five. His win aboard Nachito Coronel was his second straight trip to the winner's circle at Indiana Grand.

The overwhelming favorite, Nachito Coronel paid $3.20, $2.60, $2.20 across the board for his win in the Gordon Mobley Futurity. He increased his career bankroll to more than $111,000 for owner Patricia Del Rocio Lopez and Martinez, who is also the breeder. Martinez, who now has six wins in 10 starts for 2018 at Indiana Grand, has a lot of history behind his latest star, Nachito Coronel.

Martinez trained Habits Secret and won several stakes races during his career, including the Governor's Stakes and the Bradford Stakes at Indiana Grand. He bred a few mares with him and retired the chestnut horse at the conclusion of his 2016 campaign. Nachito Coronel is part of the first crop from the No Secrets Here stallion.

"We stand him at Roger Beam's Midwest Equine and Veterinary Hospital (in Trafalgar, Ind.)," said Martinez. "He hasn't gotten a lot of mares, but he has five babies and four of them have wins so far."

Martinez, who is based out of the Chicago area, used to race at Hialeah Park during the winter months until they closed. The past few years he has stayed in the Midwest, but this last season, he decided to relocate to Remington Park and break his babies and get his racehorses going for Indiana. One of those horses at Remington was Nachito Coronel, who was not a star pupil in his early training in the Martinez barn.

"He (Nachito Coronel) gave us little problems in Remington," explained Martinez. "We had him in some schooling races there and he did not do very well. We brought him to Indiana and he was the same way in his first schooling race. But in his second schooling race, he won it. I think he just needed some time and he's starting to figure it all out now."

Besides his speed, Martinez said Nachito Coronel is known for another trait around his barn, eating.

"He probably just wants to go home and eat now," smiled Martinez. "This horse loves to eat."

Although Nachito Coronel could be a contender in the Bradford Stakes just like his father in a few years, Martinez will have to rely on another star in his stable to vie for this year's title. Woop Dee Doo, multiple stakes winner of earnings in excess of $220,000, is pointing to the Bradford Stakes and will try to give Martinez his third win in the past five years in the stakes race. Martinez scored the title with Habits Secret in 2014 and came back with Mesa Marvel to win in 2015.

"We are getting Woop Dee Do ready for the Bradford," said Martinez. "And Sergio will be riding him in that race."

The Bradford Stakes will be part of the second of six all-Quarter Horse racing nights in 2018. The race is now in its 10th running and will be one of two stakes on the program Saturday, July 7, joining the $50,000 Indiana Grand QHRAI Derby.

The Heartland Futurity and Blue River Derby trials are also slated for that evening that will include t-shirt and $2 racing voucher giveaways courtesy of the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) and an appearance by Kevin Cox, nationally known handicapper. Cox will join the broadcast team at Indiana Grand to provide an in-depth look at Quarter Horse racing. Post time for the event is 6:05 p.m.

The 16th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 7. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:05 p.m. EST with Saturday racing beginning at 6:05 p.m. EST. Two special Thursday racing dates will be held July 19 and Sept. 6 with a 2:05 p.m. EST post time.

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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.