SHELBYVILLE, IN—OCTOBER 30, 2021—Multiple stakes winner Mr Michael got a short lead early and held on to defeat High Rolling Seize by a head in the $198,200 Miss Roxie Little Futurity Saturday afternoon at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino.

Under jockey Erik Esqueda, Mr Michael covered the 350 yards in :17.615 seconds, equaling a 99 speed index on a sloppy (sealed) racetrack with a 9 mph tailwind. It was the fifth win in seven career starts for the son of a leading third-crop sire Kiss My Hocks.

Trainer Claudio Barraza conditions the sorrel gelding for owner Alberto Valadez. The $17,500 QHRAI Speed Sale graduate won the Leader Of Class Sale Futurity last month and finished third in the Jaguar Rocket Futurity in July. The $109,010 Miss Roxie winners' purse boosted his earnings to $210,310.

"I have to give a lot of credit to the trainer and family in Texas," said Barraza, who was celebrating his birthday in a special way with the win by Mr Michel. "They broke him and told me he was something special, and he sure is. He’s going to get some time off now and he’s going to stay in Indiana." Mark Michel bred Mr Michel in Indiana from the Likenothingyoueversaw mare Lovemelikethat.

Racing for owner-breeder Glenn Graff and trainer Matt Frazier, High Rolling Seize picked up $39,640 for his second-place effort. Jockey Shanley Jackson rode the son of second-crop sire Seize The Win from the Feature Mr Jess mare Crossing The Brazos.

The bay gelding who won the QHRAI SSA Futurity in September and was second in the Gordon Mobley Futurity in July has banked $180,722 in eight starts this season.

Stormi Spirits, under jockey Edgar Diaz, got his first black-type finish for owner-breeder Owen Stanley, Jr. Tim Eggleston trains the son of multiple stakes sire Jess Zoomin from the Country Chicks Man mare Country Spirits. Stormi Spirits earned $19,820 to bring his bankroll to $52,160.

Cat Express, Lexus Beach, All Star Beach, Our Game Changer, Fe Stone Crusher, Tooyahbooya and Botticelli Beach completed the field.

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The 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is now in progress and continues through Thursday, Nov. 11. Live racing is conducted at 2:25 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, with first post on Thursday set at 3:25 p.m. A special Indiana Champions Day highlighting the state’s top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses will be held Saturday, Oct. 30, beginning at noon. More information about the 2021 racing season is available at www.IndianaGrand.com.

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About Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, which is owned and operated by a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), holds multiple awards for customer service, entertainment, gaming, dining, and diversity. Located in Shelbyville, Ind., Indiana Grand features more than 2,100 of the latest slots and table games in addition to a one-mile dirt racecourse and a seven-eighths mile turf course providing live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing each year. Simulcast and sports wagering is also offered year-round at Winner's Circle Race Sports Pub located on the casino floor as well as a Winner's Circle Race Sports Pub located in Clarksville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.IndianaGrand.com.

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