Heza Classy Cowboy Wins $131,800 Sterlie Bertram Memorial at Horseshoe Indianapolis

Heza Classy Cowboy battled his way to the front late Wednesday evening to capture the $131,800 Sterlie Bertram Memorial Stakes for Indiana-bred 3-year-olds at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Ridden by Luz Daniel Martinez for trainer Anthony F. Cunningham, Heza Classy Cowboy completed the 400 yards in :20.251, earning an 84 Speed Index over a fast racing surface. A 10-mph headwind was reported for the race.

“This horse (Heza Classy Cowboy) keeps getting better and better,” noted Cunningham. “He’s been messing up in the gate. Every time we get him qualified, he has a bad trip for the finals. I have to give credit to my assistant Salvador (Villalobos) and the team for getting him ready for his last three races. They are getting him where he needs to be. And, I thank the Dukes for trusting us with him. He has now won three in a row so he’s turning into a consistent horse for us.”

Heza Classy Cowboy broke well and raced just off the leaders before inching ahead late to get the victory by a neck. Seven Beaches crossed the wire second but was disqualified and placed fifth after a stewards' inquiry and jockey objection determined he drifted inward and caused Rock N The Beach to steady approximately 100 yards from the finish.

The disqualification moved Cowgirl Beach into second and Victory Beach into third. Heza Classy Cowboy earned $72,490, Cowgirl Beach picked up $26,360, and Victory Beach earned $13,180.

Owned by Duke Racing LLC, Heza Classy Cowboy is a 3-year-old son of leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 from the Brookstone Bay mare Sheza Classy Bay. Patrick Easter bred the brown gelding in Indiana. Heza Classy Cowboy was an $42,100 RNA at the 2024 QHRAI Speed Sale.

With Wednesday's victory added to his previous statistics, Heza Classy Cowboy has now won six of 14 career starts with one second and earnings of $132,008. The Sterlie Bertram Memorial is his first stakes victory and he was a finalist in the Blue River Derby, Miss Roxie Little Futurity and Leader Of The Class Futurity.

Cunningham has several qualified for the upcoming Indiana Champions Day Saturday, October 24. Quarter Horses will be featured in six stakes on the day, which includes six Thoroughbred premier events followed by six Quarter Horse stakes. Purses will exceed $1.6 million, the most for a single day of racing in Horseshoe Indianapolis history. First post is 12 p.m. for the seventh annual Indiana Champions Day.

Cowgirl Beach rallied late to gain second following the disqualification. The daughter of Flying Cowboy 123 earned $26,360 for owner Darryl Murray. Jessica A. Vazquez trains the 3-year-old filly, who was ridden by Giovani Vazquez-Gomez.

Bred in Indiana by Sheri Miller, Cowgirl Beach is out of Coco Beach, by Escondido Beach. She was a $43,000 purchase at the 2024 Heritage Place Yearling Sale. Wednesday's effort improved her record to one win, four seconds and one third from 12 starts with earnings of $57,315. She was also third in the Miss Roxie Little Juvenile and a finalist in the Jaguar Rocket Futurity.

Victory Beach was elevated to third, earning $13,180 for owner Phillip R. Harrison. Tim Eggleston trains the 3-year-old gelding, who was ridden by Fernando Morin.

Bred in Indiana by Walter R. "Dick" Harrison, Victory Beach is by Escondido Beach from the Mighty Invictus mare Ms Victorita. With Wednesday's result, Victory Beach has one win, four seconds and two thirds from 13 career starts and earnings of $53,069. He has also been a finalist in the QHRAI SSA Futurity(RG3), Miss Roxie Little Juvenile, Harley Greene Derby and AQRAI SSA Derby.

Following the disqualification, Rock N The Beach was placed fourth and Seven Beaches fifth. A Flare For Politics, Cv Denali, Tw No Beach Secrets and Ap Im That Dove completed the official order of finish. Ap Jessies Cartel and Beachum were scratched.

The Sterlie Bertram Memorial was restricted to registered Indiana-bred Quarter Horse 3-year-olds and was contested over 400 yards.

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