Hg Favorite Energy, ridden by Luz Martinez, wins the $43,197 John Deere Juvenile Challenge by 1/2-length at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Thursday.

© Coady Photography

SHELBYVILLE, IN–SEPTEMBER 20, 2023–One year ago Horseshoe Indianapolis was preparing to host its first Bank of America Challenge Championship. This fall, the track played host to three qualifiers into the finals, which rotates from year to year. This season’s event is set to return to Lone Star Park Saturday, October 21, and winners from the three qualifiers at Horseshoe Indianapolis are now eligible to travel to Texas for the event.

Kicking off the evening’s qualifiers was a full field of 10 in the $43,197 John Deere Juvenile Challenge, running at 350 yards. It was only the fourth career start for HG Favorite Energy, but he came into the race off a third-place finish in the $148,000 Heartland Futurity and when the gate sprung, he was ready for action. 

Guided by L.D. ''Daniel'' Martinez, HG Favorite Energy held his ground in the center of the pack as AJ Pure Gold and Cristian Reyes scooted out for the early advantage.

Eight horses were stretched across the track side by side for the majority of the dash before HG Favorite Energy hit another gear, moving up late to take over the lead and the eventual win in :18.022. AJ Pure Gold finished a half-length back in second over Immediate and Diego Villamil Bocanegra for third.

''This is one of my favorite babies this year in the barn,'' said Martinez through interpretation from his wife, Lizbeth. ''He is one that just keeps improving and improving. I think he has improved the most.''

HG Favorite Energy paid $8.80 for the win. The freshman son of Favorite Cartel is owned by Lisa Cunningham and trained by Tony Cunningham, Indiana’s all-time leading Quarter Horse owner. It was his second win of the season, and he has not been off the board in any of his four outs. The gelding is now over the $50,000 mark in earnings.

The winning connections of Hg Favorite Energy accepts the $43,197 John Deere Juvenile Challenge trophy at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Thursday. © Coady Photography

''Everybody works hard, and everybody works together to do well for the barn,'' said Salvador Villalobos, longtime assistant trainer for Cunningham. ''Everybody worked together on this horse too. He broke good for us this winter and he has been strong from the start. He broke sharp today and everything worked out perfect.''

Cunningham was absent from the Indiana scene as he was busy lining up next year’s stars for the stable at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale in Oklahoma. He already had two yearlings secured at the time of the win by HG Favorite Energy, who was also a product of Cunningham’s trip to Heritage Place last fall. Bred by Randy and Stacy Hill in Oklahoma, the gelding was purchased for $54,000, and now has two wins for the stable. He is out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Miss Energy P.

Cunningham is currently leading the trainer standings this season with 25 wins over Tim Eggleston, who is in second place with 21 wins.

Runner-up Aj Pure Gold has yet to break his maiden with four seconds from six starts and $16,905 in the bank. Trainer Natasha Perez saddled Cristian Reyes aboard the son of Apollitical Jess.

Aj Pure Gold is owned by BFD Farms and is out of Daring Seis by Tres Seis. The sorrel colt was bred in California by Rancho El Cabresto.

Third place finisher Immediate has lit the board every start from three outs with one win and $17,070 in earnings. Natasha Perez also trained the daughter of Separate Interest for owners Mark and Rosemary Gorney. Bred by Steve D. Burns, DVM of California, Immediate is out of the Favorite Cartel mare Favorite Bye.

Lucky Favorite, Lets Go Brandan, Cleave, Fiona Seis, Shirley Two Four, Iza Favorite and Jack D Fire complete the order of finish.

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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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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). ©2023 Caesars License Company, LLC.