Nine featured in 32nd running of Grade 3 Indiana Derby

Nine three-year-olds have entered the 32^nd running of the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby Saturday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Racing begins at noon leading up to the richest race in the state of Indiana with a post time of 6:40 p.m. The event will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and will be complemented by a large array of activities.

“We are thrilled with the entries we have for Indiana Derby Day,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “This is our biggest stage of the year, and to be able to showcase the talent of horses that have entered our races to our racing base is superb.”

Headlining the list of entrants for the Indiana Derby is Desert Gate from Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s barn. The son of Omaha Beach, owned in part by Indiana native Mike Pegram with Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, has won two of four starts this season.

The $260,000 purchase from the Ocala Breeders Sale last March comes into the race following a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 Ohio Derby. Florent Geroux, a three-time Indiana Derby winning jockey, is set to ride Desert Gate from the outside post nine.

Baffert is a four-time winning Indiana Derby trainer, including Cupid, winner of the 2016 event.

Joining Desert Gate in the Indiana Derby field is Our Moneyman from the Bret Calhoun barn. The son of 2019 Indiana Derby winner Mr Money has drawn post four for Allied Racing Stable, owned by Chester Thomas. He comes into the race off a second place finish in the Grade 3 Matt Winn at Churchill Downs in early June.

Axel Concepcion, who has been aboard for all eight career starts, comes into ride seeking to add to the colt’s $332,000 career bankroll.

A horse who is a bit of an unknown in his career is Leading Change from the Brad Cox barn. The Gun Runner colt, owned by Wathnan Racing, was an $800,000 yearling purchase at the Keeneland September Sale and was unraced last year at two. Irad Ortiz Jr. comes into ride Leading Change from post eight for his first test among stakes contenders in the Indiana Derby.

Leading Change is a half brother to the standout mare Shedaresthedevil, a winner of more than $2.7 million for the Cox barn and a winner of the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks in 2020.

Locally, Mister T, last year’s top Indiana two-year-old, will try his luck in the race from post two. Ridden by Mitchell Murrill for trainer and blacksmith Justin Bailey of Greenwood, Ind., the son of Sahara Sky has only two starts this year and comes into the race off a second-place finish in the $100,000 Sagamore Sired Handicap for Baileyboy Racing.

The Indiana sired homebred colt is three for six lifetime.

The entire Indiana Derby field, with jockey in post position order includes: Lighter (Marcelino Pedroza Jr.), Mister T (Mitchell Murrill); Zihnal (Umberto Rispoli), Our Moneyman (Axel Concepcion); Bricklin (Fernando De La Cruz); Creole Chrome (Junior Alvarado); Out of the Woods (Luis Saez); Leading Change (Irad Ortiz Jr.); and Desert Gate (Florent Geroux).

Joining the Indiana Derby is the 31^st running of the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks. A field of six is led by Mizumi from the Baffert barn. The Justify filly is a homebred for Charles and Susan Chu and is a perfect two for two this season, including a win in the Grade 3 Summer Oaks in her last start at Santa Anita.

Mizumi will be accompanied by jockey Florent Geroux and has drawn post six for the race slated just before the Indiana Derby as Race 11 with a post time of 5:55 p.m.

A total of eight premier races is set for Indiana Derby Day beginning in Race 5. More than $1.27 million in purse money is slated for the day.

Trackside promotions will also fill the afternoon featuring a $3,000 Derby Megabet, $2,500 Derby Legends Contest sponsored by Indiana HBPA, and a $1,000 Derby Hat Contest.

Guests 21 years of age and older can also stop by the Cigar Rolling Station for a free cigar while supplies last along with a free Magic Mirror Selfie Station.

Younger racing fans will be treated to free facepainting and a strolling magician.

The day will also include the second of two National Horseplayer Championship Qualifiers linked to Friday for the first session. A total of seven seats is available during the weekend with $10,000 in prize money distributed over the two single day sessions.

Look for more details on Indiana Derby Day on social media @HSIndyRacing.

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