Celtic Cartel, under jockey Rolando Pina, won the $30,000 Maiden Stakes (not black type) at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday.

© Coady Media

SHELBYVILLE, IN–MAY 31, 2025—The first of three stakes on the Saturday, May 31 racing program kicked off with the $30,000 Maiden Stakes (not black type) at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The winner was determined in a blanket finish that had four horses circling outside the winner's circle awaiting the photo.

Celtic Cartel had a nose on the line first to score the victory in :17.750 for rider Rolando Pina.

Celtic Cartel began from post three and got one of the first calls from the gate from Track Announcer John G. Dooley. Heading down the stretch of the 350 yard dash brought the entire field into a tightly packed bunch.

The outside horses began to close in late, but Celtic Cartel defended his edge for the win by a nose over Jazzys Encore and Antonio Rodriguez. Mercy Im Hot and Eduardo Diaz finished third another nose back to give Trainer Tim Eggleston a first and third in the race.

Celtic Cartel and jockey Rolonado Pina in the Maiden Stakes post parade at Horseshoe Indianapolis. © Coady Media

Eggleston had three qualify for the final. Pina picked early on to ride Celtic Cartel, who also won his trial in the quickest time of the qualifiers.

"I guess I picked the right one this time," smiled Pina, a longtime member of Indiana's Quarter Horse jockey colony with many stakes wins to his credit. "He's pretty talented, but it took us a while to figure him out. But he has it figured out now."

Celtic Cartel paid $3.80 for the win as the race favorite. The sophomore son of Corona Cartel is owned by Big B Racing, which includes Brock Hutchinson, Buddy Presley and Brad Marshall. Presley was trackside to experience the win with the stable's new acquisition.

"We just bought this horse out of Kentucky earlier this year," said Presley. "He has showed off for us. He has now won two in a row."

Bred in Texas by Bobby Cox, Celtic Cartel is now two for three in 2025 with 11 career starts. He is well traveled, beginning his career at Los Alamitos before trying his luck at Lone Star last year at two. He has not finished worse than second since joining the Eggleston barn.

Jazzys Encore, a homebred Indiana filly by Encore out of Jazz by Moonlight, finished a hard-fought second for R. Chavez Racing LLC and trainer Genaro Rodriguez. Antonio Rodriguez rode the runner-up, who was only a head behind the winner. She earned $6,000 for the effort.

Finishing third, another Eggleston trainee—Mercy Im Hot—a filly by Chilitos owned by Pattie Marshall and Kendra Tuebert, came flying late under L. Luna Diaz, missing second by a neck to earn $3,000.

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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