Full Boogie Tops QHRAI Derby Trials at Horseshoe Indianapolis

SHELBYVILLE, IN–OCTOBER 3, 2024– Full Boogie was in full force on Thursday at Horseshoe Indianapolis, turning in the fastest time of three trials for the QHRAI Derby. The race, one of the first to be implemented during the inaugural season of pari-mutuel Quarter Horse racing in the state of Indiana in 1997, began with a purse of $10,000. This year’s final purse is $133,400. The race joins three other stakes finals on Indiana Champions Day on Saturday, October 26, featuring purses of over $1 million for the state’s top Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses.

Jockey Erik Esqueda was aboard Full Boogie for his gate-to-wire 3/4-length victory over post-time favorite Relentlessly Special. The son of Tempting Dash clocked a 96-speed index, and the 400-yard effort paid $15.00 to win on 6-1 odds.

Coming off of a sixth-place finish in the Horseshoe Indianapolis Derby Challenge, the trial victory improved Full Boogie's race record to 3-2-2 from 13 starts, and the $7,700 payday boosted his bankroll to $40,135.

Gustavo Almanza earned his first training win of the meet with Full Boogie, who is owned by L/C Enterprise, LLC. Larry and Tate Newsom bred the sorrel gelding in Texas out of Apollos Favorite by Apollo (TB).

Tres Of Blood, ridden by Edgar Diaz, won trial three in 19.871 seconds, clocking a 94-speed index for the second fastest time to the finals. Favored to win, the son of Apollitical Blood kept to task and defeated One Smoken Dynasty by 3/4-length, which paid $5.00 to win on 7-5 odds.

Tres of Blood has won the last six of seven starts, including the QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Derby and Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby. The $7,700 winner's share of the purse increased his lifetime earnings to $185,179.

Owner Campos Family Ventures, LLC purchased him for $72,000 in this year's Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale. Breeders Keith and Kyla Renfro of Louisiana had originally sold him in the LQHBA Yearling Sale for $48,000. The bay gelding is out Tres Seis Game Chick by Tres Seis.

The first trial produced the fourth fastest qualifier as Thunder Cartel and Isidro Banuelos cruised under the wire in 19.973. The son of Favorite Cartel led with authority down the stretch to score the win by three-quarters of a length over favored Cleave and Martin Munoz, who maintained their position in second the entire way. BP Southern Jessie and Edgar Diaz finished third.

Thunder Cartel was a bit of a surprise winner, paying $14.00 for the win. He is owned by Luis Huerta and trained by Jose Huerta. The win was his second of the season and third overall.

The entire competitive field for the QHRAI Derby Final, with jockey and time, includes: Full Boogie (:19.818, Erik Esqueda); Tres of Blood (:19.871, Edgar Diaz); Relentlessly Special (:19.955, L.D. Martinez); Thunder Cartel (:19.973, Isidro Banuelos); SJF Goyo Leon (:19.978, Isidro Banuelos); Last Game Lady (:19.993, Edgar Diaz); One Smoken Dynasty (:20.016, Rolando Pina); Cleave (:20.107, Martin Munoz); Skyline Spirit (:20.123, Aron Hunt); and Famous Lollipop (:20.146, Alberto Ceron). Trainer Jose Huerta will saddle two for the final, Thunder Cartel and SJF Goyo Leon.

CLICK HERE for complete details on the $133,400 QHRAI Derby trials at Horseshoe Indianapolis, including horse, sex, sire, dam, dam sire, owner, breeder, trainer and jockey.

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The QHRAI Derby joins the $235,600 Miss Roxie Little, which gains Restricted Grade 3 status this year, and the $269,900 Governor’s Stake, which becomes the richest Quarter Horse race ever run in the state of Indiana. The Governor’s Stakes was the very first race held during the inaugural pari-mutuel season for Quarter Horse racing in 1997 at Hoosier Park. The race was contested for $10,000 and was won by Easys Night Beat and Carter Riley. Both Riley and Easys Night Beat were honored earlier this season with new Overnight Stakes named in their honor at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

The 22nd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Thursday, Nov. 14. Racing is held at 2:10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. One additional all-Quarter Horse racing day is set for 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find the track on Social Media @HSIndyRacing.