SHELBYVILLE, IN—AUGUST 29, 2015—Indiana’s 2014 Quarter Horse of the Year Pistolpacking Pepsi is back. The four-year-old son of Jesse James Jr. rallied late to take the trophy home in the seventh running of the $95,900 Bob Woodard Memorial Classic. Jose Beltran, regular rider over the past two seasons, was back aboard for the first stakes win of the year for Pistolpacking Pepsi.

A good start all the way across the track sent the field of 10 down the track in the 400-yard dash. Pistolpacking Pepsi was quick out of the gate, but his best speed is in the final strides of the race. DNA Sweet Dale and Giovani Vazquez-Gomez led the way in the early stages from the center of the track before feeling pressure from both sides. WH Design by Dash and Victor Olivo were closing in along the inside while Pistolpacking Pepsi and Beltran were gaining ground on the outside.

Pistolpacking Pepsi had the most momentum at the finish line, winning by one-half length over WH Design by Dash. Chilled Six Pack and Shanley Jackson also closed well on the inside to finish third.

“He (Pistolpacking Pepsi) just likes to run,” said Beltran, who is second in the standings this season. “He broke clean and he broke in front. I pushed on him a little late. He was closing in the trial so I knew he would close. I love this horse.”

Pistolpacking Pepsi paid $7.00, $4.20, $3.00 across the board. The time of the race was :20.020 seconds.

“I’m really proud of him (Pistolpacking Pepsi),” said Trainer Ron Brown. “He stepped up to the plate tonight against the older horses. He did well last year as a three-year-old and this year has been a bigger challenge racing against the older horses. It just took him a little longer this year to get in the mix.”

Pistolpacking Pepsi won his third race in six starts for 2015 with his win in the Woodard Memorial Classic. It marked his 11th career win and boosted his career earnings to more than $361,000. It was also his fifth career stakes win for Brown and Robert Ray, who co-own the sorrel gelding.

“Getting this horse all came about in the fall of 2011,” said Ray, who is a farmer in southern part of the state in Grandview, Ind. “I called Ron and told him to find me a racing Quarter Horse. He found Tiny (Tinys First Pepsi) and after he won a stakes race, he asked me if I wanted to get another one, so we went back to the same place (breeder Diana Keiser) and got Pistol.”

Ray brings his horses to his farm after the racing season ends each year and both “Tiny” and “Pistol” enjoy the winter turned out. Ray has also started a tradition of sending out a yearly Christmas card featuring “The Pepsi Boys.”

“I have quite a few Thoroughbreds,” said Ray. “But I really enjoy these Quarter Horses. They are such a joy to have at the farm.”

Paul Martin saddled Wh Design By Dash for owner Julia Martin. Greg Morrison bred the 4-year-old son of Brimmstone from the Heza Fast Man mare Fast Man Dash. He earned $19,180 for the effort.

Dula Racing LLC owns Chilled Six Pack, a 6-year-old son of Chilled Corona out of Six Packin Robin, by Packin Sixes Jr. Matt Frazier conditions with Shanley Jackson riding. Raymond and Vickie Duke bred the gelding who earned $9,580 for the effort.

Fillemup Phil, Dna Sweet Dale, Eyem Jumpn, Tinys First Pepsi, Firebawl, Bright Eyed Vision and I Is It completed the field.

Pistolpacking Pepsi will have several more opportunities to race before the end of the season Oct. 31 at Indiana Grand. Two more all-Quarter Horse days are still on the calendar, featuring the sprinters Saturday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Oct. 24. In all, there have been six days dedicated to Quarter Horse racing in 2015 in addition to races at the end of the Thoroughbred programs throughout the season. Live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:05 p.m. with Saturday evening post at 6:05 p.m. Thursday racing will be added beginning Sept. 17.

About Indiana Grand Racing & Casino: Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, a Centaur Gaming destination, 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 oval racecourse offering live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing each year. Simulcast wagering is also offered year-round at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino as well as an off-track betting facility located in Clarksville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.IndianaGrand.com or www.CentaurGaming.net.