Heza Hawkeye soars in QHRAI SSA Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis

It was a six-pack of starters for the Tim Eggleston barn in the 44th running of the $124,145 Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) Stallion Service Auction (SSA) Derby Saturday, August 29 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. As they neared the wire, it was Heza Hawkeye who put it all together for the finish and came up with the win, scoring the 400-yard dash in a time of :19.865 seconds.

Coming into the final as the second fastest qualifier from the trials that included 36 starters, Heza Hawkeye entered the gate from post five for current Leading Jockey Eduardo Diaz. He was powerful out of the gate and got good positioning early but did not take over in the preliminary stages of the race. Stablemate Sydney Jack and Jimmy Brooks had that spot on the inside. Midway through the race, Heza Hawkeye hit another gear and finished just like he started with a powerful end to the race. Roses After Midnight and Giovani Vazquez-Gomez closed well on the outside for second over Seven Beaches and L. Daniel Martinez, who got the edge in a photo for third.

Heza Hawkeye was the favorite, paying $4.20 for the win. Tim Eggleston trains the sophomore, who earned his first win of the year after three consecutive second place finishes in three starts for 2026.

“He (Heza Hawkeye) has been a great little horse for us,” noted Eggleston, who is leading the trainer standings again this season at Horseshoe Indianapolis. “He’s been eluding us for the win, it seems like he always stumbles or finishes second, but he got a good trip today. He left good. When I saw that he stood up and broke well, I knew we had a good shot at winning it.”

Heza Hawkeye was the fastest qualifier in the QHRAI SSA Futurity last year and bobbled at the start, missing out on the title. This year, he came into the race ready to go for the win for Roberto Chavez’s Chavez Racing. The Texas bred grey gelding by Hawkeye was bred by Torres Buildings and was purchased by Chavez for $8,500 out of the Texas Quarter Horse Association Yearling Sale.

“I see the work the Eggleston team has done with him,” noted Chavez. “They have done a very good job with him. He’s been getting closer and closer. I appreciate all my friends and family here today to support him.”

It was the second career stakes victory for Heza Hawkeye. He was also victorious last summer in the $172,000 Heartland Futurity for Chavez.

Roses After Midnight and jockey Giovani Vazquez-Gomez finished second for owner Ventura Racing Inc. and trainer Jessica Vazquez. The filly rallied to secure the place, finishing one length behind Heza Hawkeye in :20.031. Bred by Monty McNair, Roses After Midnight is a $20,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate sired by The Marfa Lights and out of the Country Chicks Man mare Specialscountrychick. She now has a record of 6-1-2-2 with earnings of $53,866. She entered the trials off a finalist effort in the Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby and finished third in last year’s Heartland Futurity.

Finishing third was Seven Beaches under Luz Martinez for owner Pamela Brickley Hann and trainer Anthony Cunningham. The filly finished a neck behind Roses After Midnight, stopping the clock in :20.082. Bred by Shelly Chavis, Seven Beaches is sired by Escondido Beach and out of the Sixes Liaison mare Eyem Sixes. She now has a record of 11-3-2-3 with earnings of $77,149. She entered the trials off a third-place finish in the Blue River Derby. Last year, she finished third in the QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Futurity (G3).

Sydney Jack, Remember Da Queen, Beach Burner, Rock N The Beach, Tw No Beach Secrets, Victory Beach and A Flare For Politics completed 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.

About Horseshoe Indianapolis
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