SHELBYVILLE, IN—MAY 18, 2019—The two $5,000 trials for Indiana Grand's first stakes race of 2019 seemed to have a theme. The first trial was won by first time jockey Jorge Garcia while the second trial was awarded to Edgar Diaz, who just won his first career race earlier in the week. Both jockeys look to have a great shot to win the upcoming $75,000 Harley Greene Derby set for Saturday, June 1, the first all-Quarter Horse racing night of 2019.

The quickest qualifier of the night was Diaz aboard Nachito Coronel. The powerful sorrel gelding made his 2019 debut a noteworthy performance, topping the trials with a :18.021 clocking for the 350-yard dash.

Starting from the outside post nine in the second of two trials on the night, Nachito Coronel broke in mid pack and was vying for the top spot with Cruisin the Beach and L.D. Martinez throughout most of the sprint. At the finish, Nachito Coronel was able to move slightly by Cruisin the Beach for the win by the margin of a head. First Habits and Garcia rounded out the top three.

Owned by Patricia De Rocio Lopez, Nachito Coronel was the heavy favorite of the field simply off his performances at Indiana Grand as a two-year-old. The Indiana sired son of Habits Secret was three for five last year, just missing the win by a neck in his final race of the year, the $180,000 Miss Roxie Little Futurity.

"I just got this horse in February," said trainer Claudio Barraza. "He was already a good horse when I got him. I am just trying to keep him healthy. He doesn't require anything special. He's very gentle to work with and a true professional. And, he loves to eat."

Nachito Coronel is now four for six in his career with a boost to his bankroll that is more than $50,000. He will most certainly head into the Greene Derby final as the favorite.

The big story in the first trial was the debut of jockey Garcia, who was making his first official start as a jockey. Garcia was aboard Nacho Binez for owner-trainer Ricardo Martinez and looked like a seasoned veteran.

The three-year-old son of Habits Secret broke well from the center of the track and was in contention early on. It wasn't until the latter stages that he began to power on through, getting the win by a head at the wire in a time of :18.141, the fourth fastest of the final list for the Greene Derby. Falcon, ridden by Oscar Macias finished second while Rubys Stone and Fernando Morin finished third.

Nacho Binez was also making his first start of 2019 for Martinez. He was a winner twice in his four starts at Indiana Grand last year, but Martinez hopes to see some improvement in the big lanky gelding this season.

"He (Nacho Binez) was that size last year as a two-year-old, too, and he was really clumsy," said Martinez. "I'm hoping he has grown into his size and his mind too and can put it together."

Martinez said Nacho Binez stayed at home this winter and got some time off from the track before returning to training. He brought the sophomore gelding down from his home base near Chicago earlier this spring to get an official work in him to prepare for the 2019-racing season.

For Garcia, the win was a thrill aboard Nacho Binez and one that he won't forget for a long time. A native of Houston, Texas, Garcia brought his first horse into the winner's circle in the trial. Overcome with excitement, he nearly forgot to unsaddle his horse and weigh in after the win.

"It felt very good to get my first win in my very first race," said Garcia. "And, I just turned 20 years old, so it makes this so much better. I hope to have many more wins."

Garcia, who is the first from his family to venture into racing, always had a desire to get into riding. When he got the opportunity to begin working with horses, he pursued his dream of becoming a jockey. Garcia recently got the call from Martinez to come up and ride for him this season, a call he readily accepted.

Garcia will have a big decision on his hands for the Harley Greene Derby final. He rode both First Habits and Nacho Binez to qualifying spots for the final, ranked as third and fourth on the list.

The big winner on the night was Habits Secret, the sire of both trial winners. The multi-stakes winner with purse earnings in excess of $330,000 is also the sire of First Habits, the third fastest in the trials. Habits Secret was ranked fifth as a freshman leading sire in the nation last year and is a 100 percent producer. The No Secrets Here horse stands at Dr. Roger Beam's Midwest Equine and Veterinary Hospital in Trafalgar, Ind.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of qualifiers for the Harley Greene Derby, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys.

Trainers Martinez and Anthony Cunningham have two each qualified for the final.

Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 6. Racing is held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 2:15 p.m. with Saturdays beginning at 6:15 p.m. For more information, visit the website at IndianaGrand.com.

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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.