Caelus a Trailblazer in QHRAI SSA Derby Invitational Stakes

Although he just missed making the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) Stallion Service Auction (SSA) Derby Final from the trials, Caelus took that energy to the $30,000 QHRAI SSA Derby Invitational for the commanding win.

The powerful near-white gelding proved the strongest at the end of the 400-yard dash to pick up second win of 2026 in the event on the undercard of All-Quarter Horse Day Saturday, August 29 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Caelus and Diego Villamil Bocanegra began from post five in a even start for the field of seven. He stuck a neck out in the lead early on as the field battled toward the wire. In the end, he drew away from his opponents, winning by a length over Beachum and Cristian Penaloza on the inside and DNA Zoomers Cyber and Alberto Ceron. The time of the sprint was :20.235 seconds.

“I don’t know what made the difference today,” said Villamil Bocanegra on the win from Caelus. “This horse just has a will to win.”

Caelus paid $10.80 for the win. The three-year-old son of Racy Secret is owned by Natasha Perez’s Perez Racing Stable. Perez also trains the sophomore, who now has three career wins from eight starts.

The gelding pushed his career bankroll to nearly $43,000 with the effort. Named after a Sky God in Roman mythology, Caelus was ranked 12th on the list of qualifiers from the QHRAI SSA Derby Trials with the top 10 advancing to the final.

“I am so thrilled for him,” noted Perez, who was aboard her pony Marshmallow as she joined Caelus in the winner’s circle. “He is my baby. We raised him and we own the mare.”

Bred by Rodolfo Rodriguez, Caelus is out of Myplaceinheaben by Flyingwitheagles. This is the first stakes win for the three-year-old gelding, who has three wins and one second from eight starts. He was second in the Mari Hulman George Stakes last season and is a multiple stakes finalist.

Runner up Beachum, ridden by Cristian Penaloza, has a record of 3-3-0 from six starts with $57,758 in the bank. He also placed second in the Harley Greene Derby earlier this season.

Bred by Cleary Family, Beachum is out of Class Of Oh Eight by Leader Of The Class. Trainer Ron Raper conditions the three-year-old gelding for owner Dean Lehman.

Also trained by Perez, Dna Zoomers Cyber placed third under jockey Alberto Ceron-Zamudio. Bred and owned by DNA Quarter Horses LLC, the son of Cyber Monday has one win and four thirds from 12 career starts with $20,740 in earnings. He is out of the Jess Zoomin mare DNA Dales Lil Zoomer.

Keep Her Off Tequila, Political Winnr, One Sweet Wagon and Mi Blood Token round out the order of finish.

The 24th season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse extends through Friday, November 13. For more information on racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find details on social media @HSIndyRacing.

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