Apollitical Mission is the morning line favorite for the Sterlie Bertram Memorial, one of two stakes races at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday.

© Coady Media

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

SHELBYVILLE, IN–October 4, 2025—The spotlight shines on Indiana’s best Quarter Horses this Wednesday evening at Horseshoe Indianapolis, as the track hosts a high-stakes doubleheader featuring two premier state-bred events: the $129,000-added Sterlie Bertram Memorial Stakes and the $81,000-added Hoosier Park Classic Stakes.

The ninth race, scheduled for a 6:15 PM post, will bring together the top ten fastest qualifiers from the September 15 trial heats to compete over 400 yards in the Sterlie Bertram Memorial. It promises to be a high-speed showcase of rising stars.

All eyes will be on Apollitical Mission, the 4-5 morning line favorite, who turned heads with a dominant 1½-length victory in his trial heat — the fastest of the day. The three-year-old gelding enters off a strong 2024 campaign, highlighted by victories in the $59,000 Leader of the Class Sale Futurity Finals, the $100,000 Harley Greene Derby Stakes, and a third-place finish in the $128,000 Blue River Derby.

With $154,712 in career earnings, Apollitical Mission represents a winning combination for owner Phillip R. Harrison and trainer Tim Eggleston. Bred in Indiana by Walter R. “Dick” Harrison, the son of The Transmission out of Apollitical Deb (by Apollitical Jess) will break from post three, piloted once again by regular rider Rolando D. Pina.

Looking to turn the tables finally is Paradis Beach, a consistent filly who has been runner-up to Apollitical Mission more than once. With seven in-the-money finishes from ten starts, including a third-place result in the $34,000 Julie Veltman Overnight Stakes, she enters the race with $51,384 in the bank for Campos Family Ventures, LLC.

A daughter of Escondido Beach out of Botticelli Shake (by Genuine Botticelli), Paradis Beach will leave from post two under jockey Fernando Morin for trainer Claudio Barraza.

This competitive field of ten state-bred sophomores will look to electrify the crowd with a tightly contested dash to the wire in one of the richest Indiana-bred stakes of the year.

The evening wraps up with a clash of seasoned veteran power in the $81,000-added Hoosier Park Classic Stakes, scheduled as race ten at approximately 6:43 PM. The 400-yard sprint features a compact field of five older Indiana-Breds, but it’s stacked with class and speed.

Topping the board is Mr Michel, the 7-5 morning line favorite and a six-year-old gelding with a glittering résumé. He’s captured three major stakes this season alone — the (G2) $50,000 SLM Big Daddy, (G1) $100,000 Leo Stakes, and the $46,000 Gary Baber Memorial Stakes.

With 16 career wins and $660,330 in earnings, Mr Michel has proven himself at every level. Purchased for $17,500 at the QHRAI Yearling Speed Sale, he’s a son of Kiss My Socks out of Likemelikethat (by Likenothinyoueversaw), bred in Indiana by Mark Michel. Trainer Claudio Barraza sends him from post four with James Flores in the irons.

Hoping to challenge the favorite is Streakindownthebeach, a hard-knocking five-year-old who has reeled off three straight stakes victories, including the $35,000 Easy Night Beat Overnight Stakes, $35,000 Air Born Leader Overnight Stakes, and the $84,000 Bob Woodard Memorial Classic Stakes.

With eight career wins and $237,907 in earnings, he’s a son of Habits Secret out of Beach Runner (by Escondido Beach), bred by Edward A. Pennington. Purchased for $26,700 at the QHRAI sale, he runs for owner Buddy Presley and trainer Tim Eggleston, breaking from post three under Luis E. Luna Diaz.

Wednesday’s stakes doubleheader spotlights the depth and quality of Indiana’s breeding program, with two showcase events designed to highlight emerging stars and seasoned veterans.

With purse money over $210,000 on the line across both races, and elite local talent featured in each gate, Horseshoe Indianapolis is set for an evening of thrilling Quarter Horse action that fans won’t want to miss.

The Horseshoe Indianapolis races can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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