Red Sleeve goes for gold in Restricted Grade 3 QHRAI SSA Futurity at Horseshoe Indianapolis

The Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) Stallion Service Auction (SSA) Futurity has come a long way in 49 years. The race began with a purse under $40,000 and was contested at several different locations around the Midwest before coming back to Indiana in 1998 during the second year of pari-mutuel racing for Quarter Horses. Today, the race is now a Restricted Grade 3 and offered its largest purse in the 49-year history of the race at $247,875. Red Sleeve took home the title, becoming the latest local Graded Stakes winner.

The race began with a delay as horses were backed out following an incident with Leaving U in Tupelo, which resulted in a scratch. The second time loading had a better outcome with Red Sleeve and Martin Munoz getting a good start and good positioning early on from the center of the track. Valiant Kiss and Rolando Pina were also holding their own along the inside in the 350-yard dash as did Flashin Firefly and Saul Lopez, who was the last qualifier in the final ranked in 10th place. As the wire neared, so did undefeated Wyld Over Corona and Eduardo Diaz, but their impact was too late as Red Sleeve held on as the winner over Flashin Firefly, just a nose ahead of Wyld Over Corona who was third in the three-horse photo. Valiant Kiss and Scarcity, ridden by Fernando Morin, finished in a dead heat for fourth. Time of the dash was :17.926 seconds.

Red Sleeve, the fifth fastest qualifier from the trials, paid $11.00. It was the fourth win in five career starts for the sorrel son of One Sweet Jess owned by Campos Family Ventures of Connersville, Ind. Tony Brackens is the breeder on the colt, who earned his first stakes win of his career.

“It’s pretty exciting to win this race as we bought this colt as an embryo,” said Barraza. “And we got him cheap. I think we got him for like $8,500 out of the Heritage Place Utero Online Sale.”

Red Sleeve catapulted his career bankroll to more than $177,365 with the win in the QHRAI SSA Futurity. His only defeat was in the $195,000 Heartland Futurity final when he didn’t get out of the gate well.

“I normally cut (geld) all the babies, but he was so quiet when he was a baby, we decided to leave him as a stud and it’s worked out. He gets a little fired up when he’s racing but he’s still very quiet in the barn. Now that he’s a champion (Graded Stakes winner), that leaves us the option to stand him at stud someday at the farm. Why not? He’s paid into the Governor’s Futurity on Indiana Champions Day (at the end of October) too.”

As the winner of the Restricted Grade 3 QHRAI SSA Futurity, the silks from Campos Family Ventures will be depicted on one of the jockey statues outside the winner’s circle, honoring all Graded Stakes at Horseshoe Indianapolis with two dedicated to Quarter Horse racing. In addition to the QHRAI SSA Futurity, the Miss Roxie Little Futurity is also a Restricted Grade 3 and is represented in the display.

The race was part of a $1 million day in wagering for Quarter Horses. This is the third $1 million day of the year, the first time there have been three $1 million wagering days in one season for Quarter Horse racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis showing the growth of the industry in Indiana. A total of $1,003,057.06 was wagered on the day, joining the tally of $1,069,314 wagered during the trials of the QHRAI SSA Derby and Futurity Saturday, August 8. The first $1 million day of the season was recorded during the first all-Quarter Horse Day Saturday, May 30 with a tally of $1,159,361.23 wagered on the program.

Flashin Firefly finished second under Saul Lopez for owners Kim and Nate Yoder and Pamela Brickley. Bred by Rose Bode, the filly is sired by Fly The Coup and out of the Five Bar Cartel mare Fire The Cartel. She now has a record of 4-1-1-0 with earnings of $56,147.

Ridden by Luis Luna Diaz, Wyld Over Corona crossed the wire in third for owner and breeder J F Racing Stables LLC and trainer Tim Eggleston. The gelding is sired by KVN Corona and out of the Apollitical Jess mare Jess Over Yonder. He now has a record of 5-4-0-1 with earnings of $123,069. Wyld Over Corona entered the race undefeated in four starts, including a victory in the Jaguar Rocket Stakes.

Valiant Kiss and Scarcity dead-heated for fourth, followed by Edsons Wagon, Hastaa Laa Vistaa, Flying Beach and Hh Julie K.

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
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). ©2026 Caesars License Company, LLC.

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