Tachas Secret Defends Hoosier Park Classic Crown

Tachas Secret successfully defended her title in the $79,516 Hoosier Park Classic Stakes ([R]) Wednesday evening at Horseshoe Indianapolis, holding off Mr Michel by a head in a tight finish over 400 yards.

Breaking sharply from the inside under jockey Fernando Morin, Tachas Secret quickly established herself on the front end and held safe through the wire. The 6-year-old mare completed the 400 yards in :20.097, earning an 88 speed index while racing into a 10 mph headwind.

Tachas Secret earned $45,320 for owners Marla K Robinson Family Trust and Duke Racing. Ricardo Martinez trains and bred the Indiana-bred daughter of Habits Secret from Sin Tachas Angel, by Pyc Paint Your Wagon.

“She (Tachas Secret) is just a freak,” noted Duke, who, along with his wife Stefanie, has a farm nearby and is successful in both racing and barrel horses. “She is sound, and she gives it every race. She is something special.”

The victory marked the second consecutive Hoosier Park Classic win for Tachas Secret and improved her career record to 15 wins, six seconds and two thirds from 30 starts with earnings of $642,242. Her stakes résumé also includes two wins each in the Born Runner Stakes and Horseshoe Indianapolis Classic Stakes, along with victories in the Bradford Stakes, Bob Woodard Memorial Classic Stakes, Blue River Derby, and Miss Roxie Little.

For Duke Racing, it was a one-two punch on the day with Tachas Secret joining Heza Classy Cowboy, the winner of the Sterlie Bertram Memorial. It was their fifth win as owners on the year to be ranked in fourth on the list of leading Quarter Horse owners in 2026.

“It is amazing to win both of these races today,” added Duke. “We appreciate everything Horseshoe Indianapolis does for us and all the racing opportunities we have. This is a dream come true to have horses like this.”

Duke Racing and Martinez are not done for 2026. They will be back for the seventh annual Indiana Champions Day set for Saturday, October 24. The day includes purses over the $1.6 million mark, with nearly $1 million of that earmarked for Quarter Horse racing. The first post is set for 12 p.m. for Indiana Champions Day.

Mr Michel battled through a bumped start before finishing strongly to take second by a head over Nachor Secret. The 7-year-old gelding earned $16,480 for owner Alberto Valadez. Claudio Barraza trains the son of champion Kiss My Hocks from Lovemelikethat, by Likenothinyoueversaw, and Edgar Diaz had the riding assignment. Mark Michel bred the gelding.

Mr Michel was a $200,000 RNA at the 2025 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale. He has won 18 of 37 career starts, with eight seconds and one third, while earning $789,455. His stakes victories include the Leo Stakes (G1), SLM Big Daddy Stakes (G2), Miss Roxie Little Futurity, Gary Baber Memorial, QHRAI SSA Auction Derby, two runnings of the Bradford Stakes, the Bob Woodard Memorial Classic Stakes and three editions of the Indiana Championship Stakes.

Nachor Secret finished another half-length in front of fourth-place finisher Escondido Gold to earn $8,240 for owner, breeder and trainer Ricardo Martinez. Martin Munoz rode the 5-year-old gelding by Habits Secret from Eyes A Favorite, by Favorite Cartel. Nachor Secret was bumped between rivals at the start but continued on strongly, missing second by a head.

Nachor Secret has compiled eight wins, five seconds, and three thirds from 19 career starts and has earned $318,617. His stakes victories include the Harley Greene Derby, Born Runner Classic, and Bob Woodard Memorial Classic.

Escondido Gold finished fourth, followed by Ap Miss Lunas Tide, Jess A Riot, and Beach First.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sign up for StallioneSearch.com’s FREE Daily Newsletter and get the latest Quarter Horse racing news delivered directly to your inbox. CLICK HERE to subscribe.