Racing


Botticelli Beach Wins Gordon Mobley Futurity at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
Botticelli Beach (#2), under jockey Jose Beltrain, holds off High Rolling Seize (#1), under jockey Shanley Jackson, in the $189,500 Gordon Mobley Futurity on Saturday at Indiana Grand Race Course.

© Coady Photography
Botticelli Beach Wins Gordon Mobley Futurity at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino

SHELBYVILLE, IN—JULY 24, 2021—Botticelli Beach was the quickest qualifier from the trials, and she turned out to be the quickest to the wire in the 12th running of the $189,500 Gordon Mobley Futurity at Indiana Grand Saturday. The event was the final race on the All-Quarter Horse card that featured Exotic Animal racing with zebras, camels and ostriches.

Starting from post two, Botticelli Beach and Jose Beltran got out of the gate ready to roll and led the entire way to the wire, posting a neck win in :15.640. High Rolling Seize and Shanley Jackson finished second followed by FE Stone Crusher and Sammy Mendez for third.

Botticelli Beach is now two for three in her brief career. She is owned and trained by Claudio Barraza, who purchased the filly through Miller Ranch’s Online Sale last fall. They visited the farm and picked the filly out of the field as one to add to their stable.

The winning connections of Botticelli Beach accept the Gordon Mobley Futurity stakes trophy at Indiana Grand Casino & Racing on Saturday. © Coady Photography
"I was super impressed with her today," said Barraza, who is based out of Chicago. "She’s a little bit bigger than her sister (Shakeitonthebeach). In her first race, I actually thought she won that one too. It was so close. We have her paid into the Stallion Service Auction Futurity and the Futurity at the end of the season, so we’ll try to be back for those."

A daughter of leading Indiana sire Escondido Beach, Botticelli Beach was bred by Sheri Miller from the Genuine Botticelli mare Botticelli Shake.

Botticelli Beach joins her sister, Shakeitonthebeach, as winners in the Gordon Mobley Futurity. Shakeitonthebeach, campaigned by Randy Smith, won the 2019 edition of the stakes race.

Beltran has been aboard Botticelli Beach for all three of her career starts. The $104,225 winners' purse in the Gordon Mobley increased her career earnings $115,875 for Barraza.

Runner-up High Rolling Seize races for owner-breeder Glenn L. Graff and is trained by Matt Frazier. The bay son of second-crop sire Seize The Win earned $37,900 for his effort to bring his bankroll to $57,100 off four starts. High Rolling Seize is out of the Feature Mr Jess mare Crossing The Brazos.

Fe Stone Crusher finished one-length back to earn $18,950 for third. Trainer Randy Smith named Samuel Mendez to ride the Brimmstone gelding for owner Deborah Smith. Bred by Fouts Equine Inc., from the Corona For Me mare Luella Joy, Fe Stone Crusher is winless in three starts and banked $23,550.

Completing the official order of finish were Exosphere, Er Stone Chargin, Clovis Two Sox, Jesses Beach, Nachor Favorite, Krystal Stone and Party Time Beach.

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The race was the final contest on the third All-Quarter Horse day of 2021 in front of a packed crowd. The next All-Quarter Horse racing day is set for Saturday, Aug. 14 and will feature trials for the QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Futurity and Derby.

Live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is in progress through Monday, Nov. 8. The 120-day racing season offers action Monday through Thursday with a first post of 2:25 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Racing begins at 3:25 p.m. on Thursdays. Indiana Champions Day is set for Saturday, Oct. 30 featuring four Thoroughbred and five Quarter Horse Stakes with purses exceeding $1 million. First post for Indiana Champions Day is 12 p.m. (EDT).

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About Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, which is owned and operated by a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), holds multiple awards for customer service, entertainment, gaming, dining, and diversity. Located in Shelbyville, Ind., Indiana Grand features more than 2,100 of the latest slots and table games in addition to a one-mile dirt racecourse and a seven-eighths mile turf course providing live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing each year. Simulcast and sports wagering is also offered year-round at Winner's Circle Race Sports Pub located on the casino floor as well as a Winner's Circle Race Sports Pub located in Clarksville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.IndianaGrand.com.

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