The first of three stakes on the Saturday, May 31 racing program kicked off with the $30,000 Maiden Stakes at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The winner was determined in a blanket finish that had four horses circling outside the winner’s circle awaiting the photo. Celtic Cartel had a nose on the line first to score the victory in :17.750 for rider Rolando Pina.
Celtic Cartel began from post three and got one of the first calls from the gate from Track Announcer John G. Dooley. Heading down the stretch of the 350 yard dash brought the entire field into a tightly packed bunch. The outside horses began to close in late, but Celtic Cartel defended his edge for the win by a nose over Jazzys Encore and Antonio Rodriguez. Mercy Im Hot and Eduardo Diaz finished third another nose back to give Trainer Tim Eggleston a first and third in the race.
Eggleston had three qualify for the final. Pina picked early on to ride Celtic Cartel, who also won his trial in the quickest time of the qualifiers.
“I guess I picked the right one this time,” smiled Pina, a longtime member of Indiana’s Quarter Horse jockey colony with many stakes wins to his credit. “He’s pretty talented, but it took us a while to figure him out. But he has it figured out now.”
Celtic Cartel paid $3.80 for the win as the race favorite. The sophomore son of Corona Cartel is owned by Big B Racing, which includes Brock Hutchinson, Buddy Presley and Brad Marshall. Presley was trackside to experience the win with the stable’s new acquisition.
“We just bought this horse out of Kentucky earlier this year,” said Presley. “He has showed off for us. He has now won two in a row.”
Bred in Texas by Bobby Cox, Celtic Cartel is now two for three in 2025 with 11 career starts. He is well traveled, beginning his career at Los Alamitos before trying his luck at Lone Star last year at two. He has not finished worse than second since joining the Eggleston barn.
Five remaining dates for the 2025 racing season at Horseshoe Indianapolis will feature all Quarter Horse action. The following Saturdays, with a first post of 10:45 a.m. are June 28, July 19, Aug. 9, Aug. 30, and Oct. 4. Winners in the final Quarter Horse stakes of the season will be determined during the sixth annual Indiana Champions Day Saturday, Oct. 25 with four stakes on the program including the Restricted Grade 3 Miss Roxie Little Futurity.
The 23rd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing runs through Thursday, Nov. 13. For more information on racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find details on social media @HSIndyRacing.
