CV Denali and jockey Edgar Diaz pull away from the field to capture the $126,700 Blue River Derby on July 18 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

© Coady Media

By Tammy Knox

SHELBYVILLE, IN–JULY 18, 2026– There is just no stopping CV Denali. The Indiana sired filly was a strong winner in the 24^th running of the $126,700 Blue River Derby during the third all-Quarter Horse Day Saturday, July 18 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Rain showers moved the track to muddy in the race before the Blue River Derby. However, rain showers rolled on by, and the sun was out for the Blue River Derby.

Starting from post five, CV Denali could have been distracted as the horse to her outside popped in the gate as the field took off. She remained focused and was in contention for the lead throughout the entire 400-yard sprint. HH Shakem Cate and Giovani Vazquez-Gomez, were putting up a good fight along the inside with Seven Beaches and Isidro Banuelos also in the mix. But CV Denali always has that extra push at the end that brought her under the wire as the winner by one and one-half lengths over HH Shakem Cate. Seven Beaches was just a nose ahead of TW No Beach Secrets (Diego Villamil) and Beach Burner (Fernando Morin) who finished in a dead heat for fourth. This time, it was younger brother Eduardo Diaz giving his older brother Edgar a big hug as the horses were returning to the winner’s circle, showing the strong bond between the two brothers. Time of the race was :19.800 seconds.

Winning connections of CV Denali. © Coady Media

Despite having the second fastest time from the trials, CV Denali was the overwhelming favorite, paying $3.00 for the win. She is now the only Quarter Horse to win four races this season. In fact, she has only one second place finish in eight career starts. Her career bankroll now soars to more than $345,000 for owner Campos Family Ventures. The daughter of Escondido Beach is the latest from the mare Botticelli Shake, who has provided trainer Claudio Barraza with several stakes’ winners, including Botticelli Beach.

“She is just a once in a lifetime kind of horse,” said Barraza, who is also the longtime trainer of Mr Michel, Indiana’s all-time richest Quarter Horse. “She has a lot of talent. She’s just special.”

With the weather taking a turn just before the event, it might have put a question mark in many people’s minds of how she would handle a muddy track for the first time, but Barraza was not worried.

“She’s all heart,” added Barraza. “I don’t think that (muddy track) was going to stop her.”

Fastest qualifier HH Shakem Cate closed well to earn the runner-up finish under jockey Giovani Vazquez-Gomez. The royally bred daughter of Escondido Beach races for owner Brisa Alia Ventura Hernandez and is conditioned by Jessica "Jessi" Vazquez, Indiana's all-time leading female Quarter Horse trainer. Purchased for $25,000 from breeders Larry Carter and John Myers at the QHRAI Speed Sale, the talented filly is a full sister to Indiana standout HH CJ Shake, one of the state's all-time leading money earners with more than $440,000 in career earnings. With the second-place effort, HH Shakem Cate improved her record to four wins and one second from six starts while boosting her bankroll to $62,428.

Seven Beaches and jockey Isidro Banuelos completed the trifecta for owner Pamela Brickley Hann and trainer Anthony Cunningham. Bred by Shelly Chavis, the daughter of Escondido Beach is out of the Sixes Liaison mare Eyem Sixes and has been a consistent performer throughout her career. The filly entered the Blue River Derby off a trial victory and added another stakes placing to her résumé with the third-place finish. She now sports a record of three wins, one second, and two thirds from 10 career starts with earnings of $65,275 after also finishing third in last year's Grade 3 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Futurity.

The 24^th season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse extends through Friday, November 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). ©2026 Caesars License Company, LLC.

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