Cigaronthebeach (#10), with jockey Fernando Morin up, holds off Eye The Cartel (#5) by a head to win Thursday’s $34,000 Julie Veltman Overnight Stakes at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

© Coady Media

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

SHELBYVILLE, IN–AUGUST 28, 2025–The $34,000 Julie Veltman Overnight Stakes came down to a photo finish on Thursday between Cigaronthebeach and Eye The Cartel. It was Cigaronthebeach who won the nod for her first career stakes victory, scoring in a 14-1 upset over the 5-2 favorite Eye The Cartel.

Jockey Fernando Morin guided Cigaronthebeach to victory in 17.809 seconds, posting a 91 speed index. Breaking fifth from the gates, the daughter of Escondido Beach gained late momentum and surged at the wire. Her longshot victory returned $30.60 to win.

The connections of Cigaronthebeach accept the Julie Veltman Overnight Stakes winning trophy at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Thursday. © Coady Media

The winning purse awarded $19,800 to owner-breeder Peggyann Kent and improved her record to three wins from 12 starts, with total earnings of $54,286. The Indiana-bred filly, trained by Ron Raper, is out of Anniegetyourcigar by Rare Cigar.

Runner-up Eye The Cartel, was quickest from the gates and led nearly the entire way under Cristian Esqueda, only to be caught in the final strides. The chestnut filly by Tell Cartel has compiled 9 starts, 2 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third with earnings of $40,349.

She races for Brookelyn Owens and is conditioned by James Goodnight. Purchased for $16,000 at the 2023 Heritage Place Yearling Sale, Eye The Cartel is out of Sparklin Eyes by Tres Seis and was bred in Oklahoma by Ron Lyles.

Finishing third was Paradise Beach, who broke sharply under jockey Edgar Diaz, and stayed in contention before settling a neck back at the wire. The daughter of Escondido Beach is out of Botticelli Shake by Genuine Botticelli and was bred in Indiana by Sheri Miller.

Claudio Barraza saddled Paradise Beach for owner Campos Family Ventures LLC. She has recorde, 2 wins, 1 second and 3 thirds with earnings of $48,384 from 9 starts. Her prior credentials includw a third-place finish in the Gordon Mobley Futurity and she was a finalist in the Harley Greene Derby and Miss Rosie Little Futurity (G3).

The remaining order of finish was Authentyc, Terra Fina, Drinkinatacartelbar, Dna Dales Winner, Checkn Me Out, Elegant Train, and La Spirit Moves Me.

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