Rogues Last Game, piloted by Rolando Pina, wins the $33,754 Adequan Challenge Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Thursday.

© Coady Photography

SHELBYVILLE, IN–SEPTEMBER 21, 2023–It wasn’t the path the Eggleston barn would have chosen to the winner’s circle, but it still was a good feeling to win the $33,754 Adequan Derby Challenge. 

Following two late scratches prior to the race and a disqualification, Rogues Last Game and Rolando Pina came home as the winners of the race. It was the final qualifier of three on the card at Horseshoe Indianapolis leading into the Saturday, Oct. 21 Bank of America Challenge Championships at Lone Star Park.

The field, reduced to four starters, all broke in a pack. What Else is New and Fernando Morin got the early advantage but veered in, causing tight quarters in the early stages of the 400-yard dash. 

In the final strides Rogues Last Game was charging hard along the inside of What Else is New, who won the race in a head bob over Rogues Last Game before the disqualification switched the final order. Braveaux and Giovani Vazquez-Gomez finished third.

The winning connections of Rogues Last Game accepts the $33,754 Adequan Challenge Derby trophy at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Thursday. © Coady Photography

''About 30 yards out of the gate, the other horse came over in front of us,'' explained Pina about the disqualification. ''We regrouped and he (Rogues Last Game) still made up a lot of ground. He finished really well tonight. He was a real challenge to break, but he’s come a long way. He’s good to ride now.''

Rogues Last Game won his second straight race. The Game Patriot sorrel gelding paid $3.60 as the favorite of the field. He is owned by Nick Johnson’s JF Racing Stables LLC. 

Tim Eggleston trains the three-year-old, who is now four for 12 in his career with $63,000 on his card. Bred by Triple M Farms, he was a $40,000 purchase as a yearling from the Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale and caught the eye of Johnson, who was the winning bidder.

''Nick (Johnson) actually picked this horse out,'' explained Eggleston. ''We went over and looked at him, but Nick is the one that got him. He is a half-brother to Heza Fast Rogue, who now stands at stud (at Tate Farms) in Louisiana.''

''We actually had several picked out from the sale, including him'' added Johnson about Rogues Last Game. ''He was the last one we had on our list, and he fell into our budget, so we were able to get him. He has a strong maternal side, which I really liked. His next race coming up is the QHRAI Derby (on Indiana Champions Day). We hadn’t really thought about going to Texas (for the Challenge Championships), so he will likely stay here and not make the trip to Texas.''

Rogues Last Game lived up to his name in the initial stages of his career with the Eggleston barn. It took the team some time to get all the pieces working together for the gelding.

''It took a while to get him broke,'' said Eggleston, who splits his time between a string at Horseshoe Indianapolis and his farm in Southern Indiana. ''But he’s good now. His groom Jose (Ramirez) loves him, and they get along really well. They hit it off right from the start. He stays right here all the time with Jose. He’s comfortable here.''

It was one of two wins on the card for Pina, who also connected with Eye Live for Candy in the Q-Racing Video Distaff Challenge in the race before. The win also placed Pina on top of the leading Quarter Horse Jockey standings for 2023.

Runner-up Braveaux, ridden by Giovani Vazquez-Gomez, has yet to break his maiden. Jessica Vazquez conditioned the son of Mr Jess Perry for owner Angel Ventura. He was bred in Texas by Bobby D. Cox out of the First Down Dash mare Sizzling Lola.

Aprollific Jess placed third under the guidance of jockey Martin Munoz. The son of Apollitical Jess is trained by Felix Barraza and owned by Lory Jane Barraza. Bred by Three Bar T Quarter Horses of Texas, the bay gelding is out of Sarah Must by Jet Cartel.

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The 21st season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Friday, Nov. 17. Live racing is held Tuesday through Thursday with Saturday racing added in during the summer months. First post Tuesday and Wednesday is 2:30 p.m. Thursday and select Friday racing begins at 2:10 p.m. The Summer Saturday Racing Series includes three more all-Quarter Horse dates Aug. 12, Sept. 2, and Oct. 7 beginning at 10:45 a.m. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis.

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