Challenge


Meet Me Out Back In Front Of Grade 2 $134,003 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship
Meet Me Out Back, ridden by Jesus Salazar wins the Grade 2 $134,003 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship on Saturday at Horseshoe Indianapolis

© Coady Photography
Meet Me Out Back In Front Of Grade 2 $134,003 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship

SHELBYVILLE, IN–OCTOBER 22, 2022–Meet Me Out Back and Jockey Jesus Salazar finished in front of the full field of 10 in the Grade 2 $134,003 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship Saturday, October 22 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The duo covered the 350-yard distance in a time of :17.870 for the win.

Meet Me Out Back and Salazar got out of the gate with no issues and put a nose in front early in the contest. Two-year-olds were battling across the track with Meet Me Out Back holding a slight lead along the inside. As the field neared the wire, the outside horses were closing in hard led by local favorite Extermynator and German Rodriguez. But their efforts were a little too late as Meet Me Out Back held on for the win by a head. Extermynator finished a head in front of Ms Flaming Finish and Giovani Vazquez-Gomez for second.

Meet Me Out Back is owned by Jose Meraz. Shawna Manriquez, who came to the winner’s circle from her duties as a pony rider for the evening, oversaw the training responsibilities for Jose Villafranco. Meet Me Out Back paid $18.00 for the win.

The winning connections of Meet Me Out Back accept the Grade 2 $134,003 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship Trophy at Horseshoe Indianapolis Saturday night. © Coady Photography

“Jose Villafranco asked me if I’d bring this horse up here for the Challenge,” said Manriquez, who saddled three for the event. “He came in and settled in good. I’m glad to be here. It’s something you strive for as a trainer to win any type of stakes, especially a Graded Stakes. That’s what we do every day is work hard for that and work hard to get wins for owners.”

Meet Me Out Back, who was purchased for $18,000 at the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale in 2021, was bred by Bobby D. Cox in Tennessee and is out of Dianetogetcha by Mr Eye Opener.

Meet Me Out Back and his winning connections celebrating after winning the Grade 2 $134,003 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship at Horseshoe Indianapolis Saturday night. © Coady Photography

The sorrel son of Dominyun earned his second career win in the event and moved his career bankroll to more than $109,000 with the win. Salazar has now ridden the gelding three times, earning two second place finishes and the Graded Stakes win in the John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship.

“It was really a clean break,” added Salazar. “I want to thank God and I have my daughter here with me tonight. He (Meet Me Out Back) really performed big. He’s getting better each time.”

Runner-up Exterminator was the post-time favorite to win due to the fact that before tonight he hadn’t lost a race since his start in May of this year. The two-year-old gelding has four wins from six starts with $144,099 in the bank, including the Horseshoe Indianapolis Juvenile Challenge and Heartland Futurity.

Breeder Bobby D. Cox of Texas sold Exterminator for $21,000 in the 2020 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale. Randy Smith conditions the son of Tres Seis for owner Gordon Time. He is out of Cartel Regards by Corona Cartel.

Third place finisher Ms Flaming Finish is no stranger to the winner’s circle. Trained by Jessica Vazquez, the daughter of Mr Jess Perry has lit the board in every out from eight starts with four wins and $108,782 in the bank, including the Sweetwater Downs Futurity and the Crush The Curve Futurity.

Bred by George & Sandra Villalobos of California, Ms Flaming Finish was a $37,000 Los Alamitos Mixed Sales graduate in 2020. Owned by LG Racing, the two-year-old filly is out of Flaming Chula by Walk Thru Fire.

The remaining order of finish is Kool N Foxy, Beep Beep Rev Rev, Jettin Jetta, The Rev Rocker, Lot Cruising, No Doubtt and Its Goin Down.

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The 20th season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Wednesday, Nov. 23. Live racing is conducted at 2:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday with Thursday post times set for 2:10 p.m. A total of 12 Saturdays will feature live racing in 2022 highlighted by the 28th running of the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby and the 27th running of the Grade 3 $200,000 Indiana Oaks set for Saturday, July 9. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis.

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. Please visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis for more information and find Horseshoe Indianapolis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.