Sweet Performance By Can D Girl In Governors Stake Trials At Horseshoe Indianapolis

SHELBYVILLE, IND–OCTOBER 5, 2024–When the field steps onto the track for the final of the Governor’s Stake on Saturday, October 26, at Horseshoe Indianapolis, they will be part of history.

The race will boast the largest purse in state history with the 28th running of the $269,900 Governor’s Stake, also the oldest pari-mutuel Quarter Horse stakes in the state. The race was the very first contested in 1997 during the inaugural season of Quarter Horse racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park with a purse of $10,000.

Three trials produced the top 10 finalists led by Can D Girl and Giovani Vazquez Gomez. The grey filly was on the far outside and traveled there the entire way. She was joined midway through the 350-yard dash by Jefris Gold Wagon and Cristian Esqueda but was strong through the wire for the win in 17.659 seconds, the top time of the trials. Chiln and Rolando Pina finished third to the inside of the track.

Can D Girl paid $6.80 for the win. The daughter of leading freshman sire Uncle D was bred in Oklahoma by Cavenaugh Quarter Horses out of This Candy Says Bye by Pyc Paint Your Wagon.

She was an $11,000 purchase from the Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale and is now owned by Angel Ventura. Jessica Vazquez trains the freshman who earned her second career win from six starts in the Governors Stake trial. The $7,700 payday boosted her earnings to over $27,000. Can D Girl was a finalist in the Heartland Futurity this summer.

Trainer Nathasha Perez saddled second fastest qualifier Jefris Gold Wagon for owners Rosemary and Mark Gorney, who purchased him for $26,000 in the Heritage Place Yearling Sale.

Jefris Gold Wagon has one win from five starts and $28,041 in the bank. Shelby Hayden and Phillip Kowalski bred a son of Gold Heart Eagle V in Iowa out of Jefris Question by Pyc Paint Your Wagon.

The second trial was recorded by Country Clubbin and Erik Esqueda. Trained by Ricardo Martinez, Country Clubbin was in contention early, but Beachin Famous and Rolando Pina led the way through the initial stages of the 350-yard dash.

Midway through the race, Country Clubbin hit another gear and took off, leaving the field behind him for the win by one-quarter lengths. Beachin Famous finished second over Gringoo and Martin Munoz, a stablemate to Country Clubbin. The time of the sprint was 17.794.

Country Clubbin paid $15.80. The son of Lota PYC is a homebred owned by Whiting Ranch of Texas. It was his second straight win in his second start at Horseshoe Indianapolis. With only three career starts, the gelding hopes to join his Graded-placed winning mother, Crazy About Corona, who won seven races during her career.

The final trial was won by Cowboy One The Fly, ridden by L.D. “Daniel” Martinez. The duo broke into the pack and held positioning before gaining a short lead. Pressure was coming in quickly near the wire from Whata Lota Boy and Martin Munoz on the outside and Caughtmeatagoodtime and Fernando Morin from the center of the track, but Cowboy on the Fly held his ground for the win in 17.973. Whata Lota Boy was a nose back in second, followed by Caughtmeatagoodtime, who was another neck back in third.

Cowboy on the Fly paid $18.80 for the win. The son of Flying Cowboy is owned by Sandy Diffin Walsh and trained by Tony Cunningham, the track’s defending leading trainer champion.

The field headed to the final of the Governor’s Stake, in order with time and jockey includes: Can D Girl (:17.659, Giovani Vazquez-Gomez); Jefris Gold Wagon (:17.726, Cristian Esqueda); Country Clubbin (:17.794, Erik Esqueda); Cowboy on the Fly (:17.973, L.D. Martinez); Whata Lota Boy (:17.983, Martin Munoz); Beachin Famous (:18.02, Rolando Pina); Caughtmeatagoodtime (:18.03, Fernando Morin); Chilin (:18.097, Rolando Pina); RR Lotta Runforrobyn (:18.106, L.D. Martinez); and Gringoo (:18.12, Martin Munoz). Trainer Ricardo Martinez saddles four for the final (Country Clubbin, Whata Lota Boy, Caughtmeatagoodtime, Gringoo). Tony Cunningham saddles two (Cowboy on the Fly, RR Lotta Runforrobyn) while Tim Eggleston saddles two (Beachin Famous, Chilin).

The Governor’s Stake will also offer a $30,000 Consolation for the second flight of horses from the trials. Those advancing to the Governor’s Stake Consolation, set for Indiana Champions Day, includes RK Streakin Cartel, RR Crown This Jess, Delightful D, Sweet Vengeance, Sweeet D, JY Bravo, JD Valiant Luna, Farr Lyla, Majestic Eye Opener, LB Tiny Tolltac.

CLICK HERE for complete details on the $269,900 Governors Stake trials, including horse, sex, sire, dam, dam sire, owner, breeder, trainer and jockey.

The fifth annual Indiana Champions Day will showcase the state’s top Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. Racing begins at 12 p.m. with Thoroughbreds followed by six stakes for Quarter Horses. Purses for the day will exceed $1.1 million.

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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. 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.