Ap Political Patriot, under jockey Francisco Quintero, won the $129,400 Sterlie Bertram Memorial Stakes on Wednesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

© Coady Media

SHELBYVILLE, IN–OCTOBER 8, 2025—AP Political Patriot was on a mission in the 17th running of the $129,400 Sterlie Bertram Memorial today (October 8) at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Guided by Francisco Quintero, the sophomore son of EOS A Political Win was a dominant winner in 19.751 in the 400-yard dash, named in honor of a gentleman, Sterlie Bertram, who worked tirelessly on the team to elevate Quarter Horse racing in Indiana.

Bertram was inducted into the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) Hall of Fame in 2013.

AP Political Patriot came out of the gate like a bullet for Quintero and was in command of the field of 10 from the start. He held his advantage the entire way and even opened up near the end of the sprint, winning by one and three-quarter lengths over Beach First and Leonardo Rodriguez. Drinkinatacartelbar and Daniel Martinez closed quickly on the outside to finish third.

"He (AP Political Patriot) was a little shaky coming into the gate," noted Quintero. "But I was able to calm him down and as soon as the gate opened, he took off and went all the way to the wire."

The winning connections of Ap Political Patriot accept the Sterlie Bertram Memorial Stakes trophy at Horseshoe Indianapolis. © Coady Media

AP Political Patriot was the third fastest qualifier from the trials, finishing second to WRs Mynameisrip to advance into the final. He was overlooked by the betting public, paying $41.80 for the win.

He is a home-bred, born and raised at the Preciado farm in Northern Indiana, for owner-breeder-trainer Oscar Preciado. The win was his third overall and his second stakes victory, adding to his Restricted Grade 3 win in last year’s QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Futurity victory at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

"We noticed at the beginning of the season he (AP Political Patriot) was a little bit jumpier than we wanted him," said Preciado, who was joined in the winner’s circle by his father, Alberto. "In the paddock, he was nervous but, in the end, he seems to have calmed down quite a bit. He qualified to all the Derbies but in the final, he had something happen and had some bad luck. Today he just performed well, and nothing got in his way, and he took off. I saw the 10 (Drinkinatacartelbar) closing in, and I was saying ‘just don’t catch up.’ But he was strong all the way to the wire today."

Preciado, who is a mechanical engineer by trade for Genesis Products in Goshen, Ind., took a half day off from work to attend the race to watch his horses run. Preciado graduated from Notre Dame but picked up a love of Quarter Horse racing from his father, Alberto, who rode down with him for the race from their Northern Indiana home. Preciado tags all his horses with "AP" at the beginning of their names in honor of his father, mother, and daughter, who all have the initials "AP."

"He (AP Political Patriot) has a half-sister by Mr Piloto that is a weanling right now, and next year we will have a half-sister to Luna (AP Miss Lunas Tide) that is a yearling right now," added Preciado. "We have six brood mares and will have three yearlings coming up for next year."

Blue River Derby winner Beach First earned $25,888 for finishing second, the $12,000 QHRAI Speed Sale repurchase races for owner Gregg Farris, trained by Tim Eggleston. Sheri Miller bred the earner of $155,214 from the Brimmerton mare Gevalia.

Third-place finisher Drinkinatacartelbar picked up $12,940 for owners Brin Elmore and Duke Racing LLC. Anthony Cunningham conditions the Five Bar Cartel filly bred by Duane Singley. Also a stakes winner, she has earned $150,907 in 15 starts.

Zoomin Feature, Dna Dales Winner, Louisiana In Love, Apollitical Mission, Hf Just Reno, Wrs Mynameisrip, and Paradise Beach completed the field.

The Quarter Horse stakes season ends on Indiana Champions Day set for Saturday, October 25 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The day will feature the state’s largest purses ever for Quarter Horse racing, with purses exceeding $1 million for the second portion of the program. The first post for Indiana Champions Day is 11 a.m. (ET), with Quarter Horse racing underway around 2:30 p.m. (ET).

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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