Trainer Genaro Garcia and jockey Marcelino Pedroza Jr. swept the two richest Thoroughbred races on the Indiana Champions Day card Saturday at Horseshoe Indianapolis, where Sir Bahjy captured the $250,000 Unreachable Star and Seeyouinabit upset the $200,000 Lady Fog Horn.
Garcia also co-owns both horses, with Bruce Murphy and Lori Murphy. The Murphys are the breeders of Sir Bahjy and Seeyouinabit and both horses are by the stallion Bahjatty.
The Unreachable Star and Lady Fog Horn were among four Thoroughbred stakes restricted to Indiana-breds by registered Indiana stallions. They were worth a total of $650,000. There also were two $55,000 overnight stakes for Thoroughbreds on the card that included six additional stakes for Quarter Horses.
Sir Bahjy ($7.60) settled just off the pace set by Dr. Alex Is In, who took the field through fractions of 23.75 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.55 for the half-mile and 1:11.75 for six furlongs. Sir Bahjy advanced three wide on the turn, and moved past the leader in the stretch. He then held off the late surge of Terminally Handsom to win by a head. Sir Bahjy covered the one mile, 70 yards for 3-year-olds on a fast track in 1:42.79.
“I was in a perfect spot,” Pedroza said in an interview broadcast by Horseshoe Indianapolis. “I was just waiting to kick and he did kick for me today and he finished up strong.”
Seeyouinabit ($47.80) led throughout in the Lady Fog Horn, which was for 3-year-old fillies at one mile, 70 yards. She won by 1 3/4 lengths over 4-5 favorite Spooky Ridge.
Seeyouinabit set fractions of 24.45 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.52 for the half-mile and 1:13.05 for six furlongs before going on to cover the distance in 1:43.80.
Stallion sweep
There were two $100,000 stakes for 2-year-olds, with Mister T taking the Crown Ambassador and Sahara Hottie taking the Indiana Stallion for fillies. Both winners are by the stallion Sahara Sky.
Mister T ($13) led throughout and covered six furlongs in 1:11.38. He won by 2 3/4 lengths over Mr. Sledge Hammer. Mitchell Murrill was aboard for F.K. Bailey and trainer Chaz Rechy.
Sahara Hottie ($21.20) was a neck winner over Spirited Justice in the Indiana Stallion. She covered six furlongs in 1:11.74 and after the race withstood a jockeys’ claim of foul. There was no change to the order of finish. Santo Sanjur was aboard Sahara Hottie for owner Marion Gorham and trainer Robert Gorham.
The start of the Indiana Stallion was delayed about 20 minutes because of a starting gate malfunction. A portion of the field was loaded when the gates opened. One of the fillies, Eltinge, was a late scratch after running loose. The starting gate was replaced with a backup, and the race itself was run without incident.
*** E’s Magic ($9.80) held off Imagine the Moon by a head to win the Kim Hammond overnight handicap. Fernando De La Cruz was aboard the daughter of Good Magic for trainer Joe Davis.
*** De La Cruz also won the Gary Patrick overnight handicap, with Goodlookinjustice ($2.80). The son of Street Boss trained by Aaron West was a 2 1/4-length winner over Molly’s Town. The winner covered six furlongs in a quick 1:08.54.
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