Runningagainstdwind (#4) holds off Apolitical Wagon (#8) to set the fastest time for the $132,080 Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby,

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SHELBYVILLE, IN–MAY 31, 2025—Runninagainstdwind and Martin Munoz captured the quickest trial of five to lead the final field into the $132,080 Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby Final set for Thursday, June 19.

The duo covered the 400-yard distance in a time of :19.864 among 44 starters in the trials. The event was part of the first All Quarter Horse racing day of 2025 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Runninagainstdwind was making his first start of 2025 after completing his freshman year with one win and a third place finish in the $212,000 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Futurity last year. It was his first start in nine months, but he proved he was ready for the trial.

Starting from post four, Munoz quickly got him into contention in the center of the track and battled with Streakin Little Jess and German Rodriguez in the early stages. Midway through the race, Runninagainstdwind started getting a small advantage and carried that through the wire to win by a neck over Apolitical Wagon and Giovani Vazquez Gomez, who closed on the outside for second. Streakin Little Jess finished third.

Runninagainstdwind paid $11.60 for the win. The Oklahoma bred son of champion Uncle D is owned by Carlos Ramos and trained by Ricardo Martinez. H & E Ranch bred the sophomore sprinter, who is now two for six in his young career.

The second fastest trial winner on the day was the Tim Eggleston trained Jolie Laide in a time of :19.939. The Big Lew homebred filly owned and raised by Doug Ruby gained a short advantage early and carried her speed for jockey Eduardo Diaz through the wire for the win by one length over Dragon Dynasty and Fernando Morin.

Tempt Me Sass and Erik Esqueda finished third. The time posted by Jolie Laide was the fourth fastest of the qualifiers behind the first three finishers of the race won by Runninagainstdwind.

Play Fair, ridden by L. Daniel Martinez, was the other trial winner on the day but not a finalist.

CLICK HERE for the Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby finalists with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys.

Trainer Jessi Vazquez, the track’s all-time leading female Quarter Horse trainer, will saddle two for the final (Apolitical Wagon, Can D Girl).

Uncle D was the only sire with multiple qualifiers, getting two into the final (Runningagainstdwind and Can D Girl).

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Five remaining dates for the 2025 racing season at Horseshoe Indianapolis will feature all Quarter Horse action. The following Saturdays, with a first post of 10:45 a.m. are June 28, July 19, Aug. 9, Aug. 30, and Oct. 4.

Winners in the final Quarter Horse stakes of the season will be determined during the sixth annual Indiana Champions Day, Saturday, Oct. 25, with four stakes on the program, including the Restricted Grade 3 Miss Roxie Little Futurity.

The 23rd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing runs through Thursday, Nov. 13. For more information on racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find details on social media @HSIndyRacing.

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About Horseshoe Indianapolis
Horseshoe Indianapolis, owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR), holds multiple awards for customer service, entertainment, gaming, racing, dining, and diversity. Located just minutes from Indianapolis in Shelbyville, Ind., this one-of-a-kind property has wall-to-wall excitement on the 105,940 square foot gaming floor, featuring more than 1,600 slots and 72 table games along with a state-of-the-art World Series of Poker Room containing 20 tables. In addition, Horseshoe Indianapolis offers the only live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing in the state, showcased on a one-mile dirt racecourse and a seven-eighths-mile turf course. Simulcast and sports wagering is offered year-round at Caesars Race & Sportsbook, also located on the casino floor, with additional gaming provided at Caesars Race & Sportsbook in Clarksville, Ind. Players can benefit from Caesars Rewards, the industry's most lucrative bonus program now offered at more than 50 destinations.

Please visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis for more information and find Horseshoe Indianapolis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing at racetracks and 21 or older to gamble at sports books and casinos. Please play responsibly. If you think you or someone you care about may have a gambling problem, call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (1-800-994-8448). ©2024 Caesars License Company, LLC.
 

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