By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

SHELBYVILLE, IN–JULY 19, 2025–Heza Hawkeye, a gray gelding by multiple stakes sire Hawkeye out of Sheza Bugsy by Azoom, surged to victory in Saturday’s running of the $172,480 Heartland Futurity at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Ridden and trained by German Rodriguez for owner R Chavez Racing, LLC, Heza Hawkeye posted a commanding win by three-quarters of a length, covering 350 yards in :17.713 on a fast track into a 7-mph headwind. His performance earned a 94 speed index into a 7 mph headwind and a winner's share worth $94,864.

"This horse arrived right at my house," recalled Roberto Chavez. "I bought a pony in Houston and this horse [Heza Hawkeye] came along with him. Geraldo Rodriguez told me, ‘Hey I got a horse in the trailer you gotta look at,’ and that’s how I bought the horse. And I paid $8,500, a pretty cheap price. But I bought him right at my house. German [Rodriguez] and his team have done a great job with him. And of course, I appreciate Horseshoe Indianapolis for letting us run. I appreciate all that showed up today to support Heza Hawkeye."

Bred in Texas by Torres Buildings and purchased for $8,500 from the 2024 TQHA Yearling Sale, Heza Hawkeye broke well, drifted out early, and pulled away from the field with a decisive late burst. He has won two of three starts and banked $102,819.

I connected with Roberto (Chavez) in September, and we have been working together since then," noted Rodriguez. "This horse is a little difficult to deal with. He’s a pain in my butt, but it shows the work was worth it. His first out wasn’t good, but his second out, he did his job. Now, he knows what he is supposed to do. I’m very honored to be working with Roberto and this horse."

Runner-up honors went to Wr Hott Shott, a sorrel gelding by champion sire One Famous Eagle out of Kontemporary by American Runaway. Trained by Tim Eggleston and piloted by Luis Luna Diaz, the Oklahoma-bred colt races for Raymond Whitmire.

Wr Hott Shott was never far behind the winner, running a game second throughout to earn $34,496. Bred by Whitmire Ranch, he has won two of four starts and earned $54,786.

Third-place finisher Roses After Midnight, a sorrel filly by The Marfa Lights out of Specialscountrychick by Country Chicks Man, gained late to edge out the rest of the field by a half-length.

Trained by Jessica Vazquez and ridden by Fernando Morin, she races for Angel Ventura and was bred in Oklahoma by Monty McNair. She was a $20,000 purchase at the 2024 Heritage Place Yearling Sale and banked $17,248 for her effort.

Pari-mutuel payoffs included $8.00 to win, $4.00 to place, and $3.00 to show on Heza Hawkeye. Wr Hott Shott paid $3.20 to place and $2.40 to show, while Roses After Midnight returned $3.60 to show.

Following the top three were Suzys Kristine in fourth, Remember Da Queen fifth, First Angel sixth, Paint Me Sass seventh, The Unsung Hero eighth, Mr Blood Carver ninth, and Delreys Rollin Bayou tenth.

Heza Hawkeye now sits firmly among the top 2-year-old contenders with this career-defining score in the Heartland Futurity.

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