Celtic Cartel top qualifier in Maiden Stakes Trials at Horseshoe Indianapolis
 
SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Monday, May 12, 2025) – A total of 33 maidens vied for a spot in the top 10 to advance to the $30,000 Maiden Stakes Finals Monday, May 12 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Celtic Cartel and Rolando Pina claimed the top spot with the quickest time of :17.938. The race will be part of the first All-Quarter Horse racing day of 2025 set for Saturday, May 31. First post is 10:45 a.m.
 
Celtic Cartel is a recent arrival to Indiana. Last year at two, the sophomore son of Corona Cartel completed at both Los Alamitos and Lone Star before venturing to the Midwest for his three-year-old season. After a second place finish at Sandy Ridge in Kentucky and a fourth place finish at Horseshoe Indianapolis in his first start in Indiana, he was relentless in his trial to get to the lead for Pina. He dug in gamely midway through the 350-yard dash and closed from the far outside to win by one-half length over Niyo De Oro and Jose Ruiz. Delightful D and Daniel Martinez finished third. Niyo De Oro turned in the second fastest time of the program to advance to the final.
 
Celtic Cartel was the favorite out of the Tim Eggleston barn, paying $3.60 for the win. Bred by Bobby Cox in Texas, Celtic Cartel is owned by Big B Racing, which consists of Brock Hutchinson, Buddy Presley and Brad Marshall. He heads to the final with a bankroll of just under the $25,000 mark.
 
Eggleston also pulled in a trial win with Mercy I’m Hot, the third fastest qualifier of the four trials. Starting from post one with Eduardo Diaz in the saddle, the sophomore filly led from gate to wire for the win by a head over Boujee Blood and Martin Munoz in :18.075. Sixes Flyn Bayou and Francisco Quintero finished third.
 
Mercy Im Hot was also the favorite, paying $6.00 to win. The daughter of Chilitos is owned by Pattie Marshall and Kendra Tuebert. It was the filly’s third career start after going unraced at two.
 
The entire field advancing to the final of the $30,000 Maiden Stakes Final, in order of time with jockey includes: Celtic Cartel (Rolando Pina, :17.938); Niyo De Oro (Jose Ruiz, :18.029); Mercy Im Hot (Eduardo Diaz, :18.075); Bougee Blood (Martin Munoz, :18.095); Delightful D (Daniel Martinez, :18.128); Sixes Flyn Bayou (Francisco Quintero, :18.164); Jazzys Encore (German Rodriguez, :18.236); Attempting (Juan Marquez, :18.25); Louisiana in Love (German Rodriguez, :18.256); Mr Bird Man (Daniel Martinez, :18.278). Trainer German Rodriguez, who also rode two of his horses into the final, will saddle two (Jazzys Encore, Louisiana in Love) along with Eggleston, who saddles Celtic Cartel and Mercy I’m Hot for the final. Tony Cunningham, 2024 Leading QH Trainer, saddles three for the final (Delightful D, Sixes Flyn Bayou, Mr Bird Man).
 
The Quarter Horse Maiden will join the Harley Greene Derby Final and the Born Runner Classic on the Saturday, May 31 racing program. Trials for the Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby will also be held on the Saturday card, which begins at 10:45 a.m. The day will kick off the 2025 Quarter Horse Stakes season featuring 30 stakes with purses in excess of $2.1 million, a new record for Indiana.
 
The 23^rd 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.