Racing


One Smart Jess Wins 2018 Speed Sale Futurity at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
One Smart Jess (#7) holds off stablemate Jesslikethat (#8) to win the $44,800 Speed Sale Futurity Saturday night at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino.

© Linscott Photography
One Smart Jess Wins 2018 Speed Sale Futurity at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino

SHELBYVILLE, IN—SEPTEMBER 15, 2018—It was a John McCreary-trained one-two punch in the sixth running of the $44,800 2018 Speed Sale Futurity Saturday, Sept. 15 at Indiana Grand. The stablemates started side by side and finished side by side at the wire in a time of :16.742 seconds in the 330-yard dash.

One Smart Jess and Leonardo Rodriguez were a threat from the start. With a clean break they were right on point for the lead in the early stages, tracked closely by stablemate Jesslikethat and Luis Guerrero on the outside.

Winning connections of One Smart Jess accept the Speed Sale Futurity stakes trophy Saturday evening at Indiana Grand & Casino. © Linscott Photography
Stoneburner and Jose Beltran stayed close from the inside but couldn't overtake the top two in the final strides as One Smart Jess broke his maiden with the victory, just a head in front of Jesslikethat. Stoneburner was three-quarters of a length back in third.

"He's a horse that has had talent, he just hasn't had a chance to use it," said McCreary. "He and the filly that finished second (Jesslikethat) are three-quarter siblings. One Smart Jess' dam, First Smart Stride, is the dam of Lovemelikethat, the dam of Jesslikethat. This is great to have good owners like this and get to run horses like this."

Owned by Jeff Bonnell and John Murphy's Brushy Valley Farm of Knoxville, Tenn., One Smart Jess was a major surprise in the race, paying $38.40, $11.80 and $4.00 across the board. The two-year-old son of One Sweet Jess earned his first trip to the winner's circle in his fifth start, pushing his career earnings tally over the $30,000 mark. Mark Michel is the breeder.

Trainer John McCreary saddled the 1-2 finishers in the $44,800 Speed Sale Futurity Saturday night at Indiana Grand & Casino. © Linscott Photography
"I've actually wanted to own a racehorse since I was 13," said Bonnell, who made the trip up to Indiana from Knoxville with his mother, Ann Bonnell, for the race. "This is the first time I've owned a racehorse. I contacted Cooter Daniels and bought a horse off him to run in barrels and that was my connection to John (McCreary). My partner (John Murphy) wasn't able to come to the race tonight, but I'm glad I got to be here."

Another component of the win that came in especially for the race was jockey Rodriguez, who just started riding about a month ago. He comes from a family of successful jockeys in Louisiana and caught the eye of McCreary this past winter.

"Leonardo (Rodriguez) rode for me in Louisiana this past winter, and this is only his 11th or 12th start," said McCreary. "When he was ready to start riding (in races), we brought him up and he's really riding well. We are really lucky to have him."

McCreary, a native of Tennessee, relocated to Indiana about 10 years ago. He and his wife, Jane, who is a veterinarian, own and operate a small farm near Indiana Grand. McCreary keeps a small string at Indiana Grand each season. He's conditioned several successful horses on the Indiana circuit, including Lovemelikethat, who earned nearly $300,000 during her career. She is now among the horses in his brood mare band and is the dam of Jesslikethat, the second place finisher in the Speed Sale Stakes.

Also a 2-year-old by One Sweet Jess, Jesslikethat races for owners Shelly and Chris Burke. The Indiana-bred filly from the Likenothinyoueversaw mare Lovemelikethat. Bred by Mark Michel, Jesslikethat earned $8,960 for the effort. Also a finalist in the Jaguar Rocket the chestnut filly has earned $22,888.

Stoneburner races for owner Gerald Keesling and is conditioned by Randy Smith. Jose Beltran rode the Brimmstone gelding out of Luella Joy by Corona For Me. He earned $4,480 to boost his bankroll to $26,687.

Aboe The Brimm, Six On The Brimm, Hh Jces Shadow, My Secret Money and Wh Big Boy Holiday completed the field. Regal Beach was scratched.

The Speed Sale Stakes was the featured event during the fourth all-Quarter Horse racing program of 2018 at Indiana Grand.

The final two nights for all-Quarter Horse racing include Saturday, Oct. 6 and Saturday, Oct. 27, which will include four stakes on the card with purses in excess of $425,000.

Martha Claussen, nationally known on-air racing personality, will be in attendance to help promote the card and will provide $2 racing wagers and long-sleeved t-shirts to the first 100 fans. The vouchers and t-shirts are courtesy of the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI).

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.