Page 15 - June 2021

SAN LORENZO REACHES MILLION- DOLLAR EARNINGS MARK
The 2021 Quarter Horse racing season at Sam Houston Race Park began April 23 and the following night, Rogelio Marquez Jr.’s San Lorenzo became Quarter Horse racing’s newest millionaire by willing a trial for the $322,900 Sam Houston Derby-G3.
Trainer Hector Alcala saddled the son of Coronas Leaving You and out of the Mr Eye Opener mare In The Open. The connections had to wait until the 10th and final trial of the evening to reach the milestone.
San Lorenzo had won both the $1 million Lee Berwick Futurity-RG1 at Delta Downs and the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity last December at Evangeline Downs. Under regular rider David Alvarez, the bay colt exploded from the starting gate and drew clear of his six rivals, crossing the wire of the 350-yard trial in :17:408 seconds, earning a 105 speed index.
Their first stakes foray came in 2017 at Sam Houston Race Park when Wild Tycoon ran in the Texas Twister. Success came quickly that year with stakes winners in Louisiana, includ- ing eight victories by the filly Dashnunder Afullmoon, who won the Lassie and Lee Berwick Futurities at Delta Downs and retired with earnings of $711,951.
“People told us that we would never
have another horse as great as Dashnunder Afullmoon,” said Marquez. “That was just the beginning. We just stayed focused and then San Lorenzo came. Thank God we were able to have our first million-dollar earner tonight.” San Lorenzo was a $68,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale repurchase.
“I have always said that Jim and Natalie Montgomery are one of the top breeders in Louisiana, and San Lorenzo’s dam, In The Open, is one special mare,” he added.
San Lorenzo won his Sam Houston Derby trial with the second-fastest clocking of the evening, but was scratched from the May 14 final after exhibiting distress at the track the morning of the Derby. He was vanned out of the stable area for medical attention. Marquez reported San Lorenzo was resting comfortably on his farm in Rosenberg, Texas, and had not required surgery.
INDIANA GRAND BREAKS GROUND ON $7 MILLION BARN AND DORMITORY EXPANSION
Caesars Entertainment, parent company of Indiana Grand Racing & Casino in Shelbyville, Indiana, broke ground in May to expand the property’s barn and dormitory facilities. The addition will allow for more flexibility and state-of-the-art offerings as the 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing begins. The $7 million investment project will include
a new 100-stall barn and a 50-room dormi-
tory, increasing stall space on the backstretch to accommodate nearly 1,200 horses. News of this expansion comes on the heels of Indiana Grand’s recent announcement of its $32.5 million invest- ment to grow and enhance the existing casino gaming floor. The barn and dormitory project should be completed in the fall of 2021.
“Each year, we turn many stables away because we just don’t have the stall space for them,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. “As our racing continues
to grow at the national level, we receive even more requests to race at our facility. This addition will further solidify Indiana Grand as a premier racing destination.”
The new 100-stall barn, modeled after the Quarter Horse barn built in 2014 at Indiana Grand, will be enclosed and winterized with three large sliding doors on both sides of the barn. The structure will include 10 wash bays, two restrooms and 10 tack rooms.
The dormitory will include 50 additional rooms in a two-story structure next to the new barn. The facility will provide housing for those who care for the additional horses, featuring community bathrooms for both men and women, central air and heat, and a laundry facility on both floors. Both structures will be located on the west side of the current backstretch area.
The 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is now in progress and continues through Nov. 8. More information about the 2021 racing season is available at www.caesars.com/indiana-grand.
HUFFHINES DEPARTS AQHA
The American Quarter Horse Association announced the departure of AQHA Executive Vice President Craig Huffhines in April. AQHA stated Huffhines, who has been with the AQHA for six years, was leaving to pursue an opportunity in the equine and livestock industry with his final day May 17.
Chad Pierce has been named the Interim Executive Vice President. Pierce has been
with AQHA for more than 12 years as the Association’s chief legal counsel. Prior to his tenure with AQHA, Pierce was on staff with the Underwood Law Firm in Amarillo, where he served as the lead attorney for AQHA sup- port beginning in 2003. He has successfully navigated countless equine welfare cases for the Association. Pierce holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and law degree from Texas Tech University.
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TRACK CHATTER
San Lorenzo winning his Sam Houston Derby trial.
SPEEDHORSE June 2021 13
Coady Photography