Escondido Gold, under jockey Diego Villamil Bocanegra, posted the fastest time for the $127,700 Blue Riber Derby during three trials contested Tuesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

© Coady Media

SHELBYVILLE, IN–JULY 2, 2025–Escondido Gold and Diego Villamil Bocanegra set the gold bar high to kick off three trials of the Blue River Derby Tuesday, July 1 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The top 10 advance to the $127,700 final slated for Saturday, July 19 for Quarter Horse Stakes Day.

Escondido Gold came charging out of the gate and was on top of the field by a half length in the first few strides. The advantage continued to grow as the big sorrel gelding made his way through the 400 yard sprint.

In the end, Escondido Gold was a winner by a comfortable length over Torero Two and Edgar Diaz, who finished a neck ahead of Beach First and Rolando Pina for second. Time of the race was :19.839.

Escondido Gold earned his first win of the season, paying $10.60 for the win. The Escondido Beach son is owned by Allen J. Brenner’s BFD Farms and trained by Natasha Perez. He is now five for 10 during his career, seeking to score his first stakes victory in the final.

Joining Escondido Gold for a win on the evening was Drinkinatacartelbar, last year’s winner of the Jaguar Rocket Futurity. The Five Bar Cartel filly held her ground early inside for jockey L. Daniel Martinez and with horses closing in on the outside at the wire, she was able to score the win by a nose in :19.975, the second fastest time of the trials.

Jess A Beach Man and Edgar Diaz finished second over TW Trumps Secrets and Diego Villamil Bocanegra.

Drinkinatacartelbar, under jockey Luz Martienz, posted the second fastest time in trial 2 on Tuesday at Horseshoe Indianpolis. © Coady Media

Drinkinatacartelbar paid $22.20 as an upset winner for trainer Tony Cunningham. She is owned by Brian Elmore and Duke Racing LLC and earned her fourth win of her career in the effort.

The final trial of the early evening program was secured by Apollitical Mission and Rolando Pina. They battled early on with stablemate Hoosier Eye Candy and Eduardo Diaz before getting the edge in the end, winning by one-half length in :19.999. Hoosier Eye Candy was second in a four-horse photo that placed AP Political Patriot and Jose Ruiz into third.

Apollitical Mission was the favorite, paying $4.60 for the win. The son of The Transmission earned his third straight win after winning the Harley Greene Derby in his last start.

Overall, he is three for four in 2025 with five wins overall for owner Phil Harrison, whose father, Dick Harrison bred the gelding before he passed away a few years ago. Tim Eggleston, 2025 leading Quarter Horse trainer, handles the conditioning of Apollitical Mission.

"This horse (Apollitical Mission) is so easy going and laid back, and like Rolando (Pina) told me, ‘he's in my hands the whole way,’” said Eggleston, who qualified three for the Blue River Derby Final. “One thing about a seasoned rider like Rolando is you're not in a trial like this, going to be the fastest qualifier, but he knows when he's a length in front, he's going to save his horse for the finals."

Apolitical Mission, under jockey Rolando Pina, won the closing trial on Tuesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
© Coady Media

Eggleston noted Apollitical Mission is just as easy to deal with off the track as he is on race day.

"Just a nice horse, and it applies to how you see him standing around the paddock and walking back,” added Eggleston. “He's just a head down quiet horse all the time, puts out there when he needs to."

CLICK HERE for a list with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

Claudio Barraza will saddle three for the final (Jess A Beach Man, Torero Two, CV Sky Kiss) along with Tim Eggleston, who saddles Apollitical Mission, Beach First, and Hoosier Eye Candy. Natasha Perez has two that will advance to the final, Escondido Gold and TW Trumps Secrets.

The Blue River Derby joins three other stakes finals Saturday, July 19 for Quarter Horse Stakes Day. Purses will exceed $700,000 on the third all-Quarter Horse day of 2025. First post is set for 10:45 a.m. and will be complemented by numerous activities trackside, including food trucks, inflatables, face painting, and winner’s circle promotions. Martha Claussen, nationally known Quarter Horse racing analyst, will be trackside to assist during Quarter Horse Stakes Day.

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.

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 reap benefits 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). ©2025 Caesars License Company, LLC.

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