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SHELBYVILLE, IN–JULY 2, 2024–From a group of 34 sophomores, the time to beat came down to a photo finish in the last trial of four to the $133,900 Blue River Derby on Tuesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Ap Miss Lunas Tide won the nod by a neck over heavy favorite Nachor Secret, resulting in the two fastest qualifying times to the July 20, 2024 finals.

Jockey Francisco Quintero piloted Ap Miss Lunas Tide to the wire in :19.990 seconds, clocking a 92 speed index. The 400-yard upset paid $13.60 on 5/1 odds.

The gray filly earned $8,250 for the win, boosting her bankroll to $54,689. The effort improved her race record to 4-2-1 from ten starts, which includes a tenth-place finish in last year's Miss Roxie Little Futurity.

Oscar Preciado trains, owns and bred Ap Miss Lunas Tide out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Ready Too Wear. Her sire, Rip Tide, is the nation's #5 leading second-crop sire of money earners.

Runner-up Nachor Secret clocked the second fastest time to the finals. Ridden by Martin Munoz, the three-year-old colt clocked a 90 speed index in :20.046 seconds. The heavy favorite held the lead until the final stretch, where Ap Miss Lunas Tide out-finished him. The duo finished 4 1/2-lengths ahead of the rest.

Ricardo Martinez, who owns Nachor Secret's sire Habits Secret and dam Eyes A Favorite by Favorite Cartel, also trained him. The homebred colt has lit the board eight of nine starts with $95,802 in earnings.

Edgar Diaz got the leg up on Dupont Beach for his 1/2-length gate-to-wire victory over Cisco Beach. The son of Duponte clocked an 88 speed index running into a 13 mph headwind in :20.150 seconds, resulting in the third fastest qualifying time. The heavy favorite from trial two paid $3.60 to win on 4/5 odds.

The $8,250 winner's share from the trial increased Dupont Beach's earnings to $86,083. Trained by Claudio Barraza, the bay gelding has lit the board seven of nine starts at Horseshoe Indianapolis. He broke his maiden last November and hasn't broken his win streak yet.

The Sherri Miller-owned/bred gelding placed second in last year's QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Futurity and fourth in the Miss Roxie Little Futurity. He is out of Beach Birde by Escondido Beach.

CLICK HERE for complete details on the $133,900 Blue River Derby trials, including horse, sex, sire, dam, dam sire, owner, breeder, trainer and jockey.

Ricardo Martinez saddled three by Habits Secret to the finals (Nachor Secret, Sin Tachas Secret, and Tin Knocker), while Oscar Preciado saddled two (Ap Miss Lunas Tide and Ap The Doves Light).

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The 22nd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Thursday, Nov. 14. Racing is held Monday through Thursday at 2:10 p.m. Six all Quarter Horse dates are set for 10:45 a.m. Saturdays June 1, June 29, July 20, Aug. 10, Aug. 31, and Oct. 5. Indiana's featured event, the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby, is set for Saturday, July 6, with a first post time of 12 p.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 1,500 slots and 65 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 are 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). ©2024 Caesars License Company, LLC.