Texas Swagger 123 Scores One-Length Victory In $30,000 Governors Juvenile Stakes At Horseshoe Indianapolis

Texas Swagger 123 captured the $30,000 Governors Juvenile Stakes at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday afternoon, overcoming a bump at the start before taking command and drawing away to win by one length.

Ridden by Martin Munoz, the filly completed the 400 yards in 20.005 seconds, earning a 90 speed index. Texas Swagger 123 took the lead early, extended her advantage through the stretch, and held a clear margin over Hammer Down Cartel at the wire.

Texas Swagger 123 is a homebred for Whiting Ranch and is trained by Ricardo Martinez. The Texas-bred filly is sired by leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 and out of the stakes-winning Corona Cartel mare Crazy About Corona, grandam of World Champion Empressum ($2,701,248) and champion Hes Judgeandjury ($2,016,522), winner of the All American Futurity (G1).

The victory improved Texas Swagger 123's career record to 6-2-1-0, and the $16,500 winner's share of the purse boosted her total earnings to $38,979. Earlier this season, she finished fourth in the Heartland Futurity and entered the October 3 trials following a sixth-place finish in the Horseshoe Indianapolis Juvenile Challenge Stakes.

Hammer Down Cartel finished second, three-quarters of a length ahead of D Dip N Dot, after advancing from fifth early in the race. Ridden by Cristian Esqueda, the third-fastest qualifier is owned and trained by Ezequiel Rodriguez.

Bred by Paragon Farms LLC, Hammer Down Cartel is a $35,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate. The gelding is sired by champion sire Favorite Cartel and out of the stakes-winning Mr Eye Opener mare Eye Agree. His second dam is champion Tiny First Effort.

Hammer Down Cartel now has a career record of 4-1-2-0, and the $6,000 runner-up share increased his earnings to $17,355.

D Dip N Dot finished third under Cristian Penaloza for owner Ventura Racing Inc. and trainer Jessica Vazquez. The gelding bumped at the start, raced close to the early pace, and weakened late to finish a neck behind Hammer Down Cartel.

Bred by Cavenaugh Quarter Horses LLC, D Dip N Dot is a $27,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate. He is sired by champion Uncle D and out of the stakes-placed PYC Paint Your Wagon mare This Candy Says Bye.

D Dip N Dot now has a career record of 6-1-1-1, and the $3,000 third-place share increased his earnings to $22,875.

Completing the order of finish were Hastaa Laa Vistaa, Ap Cocos Light, Savage Chef, Heza Clown, Provocotiv, The Heart Wont Lie, and Violets N Daisies.

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