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SHELBYVILLE, IN–JUNE 4, 2024–It was only appropriate that Mr Michel, a star of the present, was the winner of the Carter Riley Overnight Stakes, named in honor of a star in the past. Riley, a longtime jockey in Indiana, was honored with the $35,000 race named in his honor this season. He was the first jockey to win a pari-mutuel Quarter Horse race in the state of Indiana in 1997 at Hoosier Park.

“I was very surprised to learn they named a race in honor of me,” said Riley, who now trains horses with his wife Donna. “I’m just in awe. There are a lot of people who worked really hard to bring pari-mutuel Quarter Horse racing to this state. So it’s a privilege to get a race named after me.”

Riley recalled the night he became part of Indiana Quarter Horse racing history by guiding Easy’s Night Beat to victory in the fall of 1997. The $10,000 Governor’s Stake stretched the limits of the budget for the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana, so they asked several members to sponsor blankets for the event.

“I actually sponsored the blanket for the race,” said Riley. “I have a photo of the winner’s circle and the blanket has my name on it. Mike Renihan (owner of Easys Night Beat) gave me the blanket and I still have it at home.”

The Carter Riley Overnight Stakes didn’t disappoint with a stellar field lined up for the action, including Mr Michel, who is now two for two in 2024. He was reunited with regular jockey Edgar Diaz, who missed his seasonal debut coming off an injury. The duo rallied home strong in the 350-yard dash to win by one length under wraps over Oscar Mike and Martin Munoz and RK Lady Dana and Saul Lopez.

Owned by Alberto Valadez and trained his entire career by Claudio Barraza, Mr Michel earned his 11th career win and pushed his earnings over the $400,000 mark. He is now within striking distance of reaching the elite list of top five all-time leading Quarter Horses bred in Indiana.

“He really impressed me how he came out of the gate today,” said Barraza of the standout son of Kiss My Hocks. “This was a nice field of horses. He’s everything you could ask for.”

Mr Michel, named after his breeder Mark Michel of Indiana, is out of Lovemelikethat by Likenothinyoueversaw. He now has six stakes wins to his credit. The five-year-old gelding has turned in all 21 races at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Runner-up Oscar Mike, ridden by Martin Munoz, has a record of 4-3-6 from 20 starts and $77,246 in the bank. Trainer Felix Barraza saddled the son of Kiss My Hocks for owner C. T. S. Stables, LLC.

Bradley Hale and Conda Maze bred the five-year-old gelding in Texas out of the Corona Cartel mare Cosmic Corona. Oscar Mike was a $24,000 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale graduate in 2022.

Third place finisher Rk Lady Dana, the four-year-old daughter of Bogart, has lit the board 12 of 15 starts with six career wins and $159,964 in earnings, including the Governors Stakes in 2022.

Kathleen Stumpf bred Rk Lady Dana in Illinois out of Rk Rollin Cartel by Coronas Prospect.

Cv Struttinforakiss, Wrs Valentino, Hooked On Jordan, Winner Spirit, Piloted By An Angel, Wrs Hava Dasher and Good Time Stoli round out the order of finish.

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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. All Quarter Horse dates are set for 10:45 a.m. Saturdays June 29, July 20, Aug. 10, Aug. 31, and Oct. 5. Indiana’s featured event, the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby is 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/racing or find the track on Social Media @HSIndyRacing.

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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 1,600 slots and 72 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 is 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.