Randy Klopp scores win 1,000 at Horseshoe Indianapolis

Randy Klopp, one of Indiana’s all-time leading Thoroughbred trainers, added another milestone to his credentials Wednesday in the very first race.

Rosso Fuoco and Joe Ramos crossed under the wire to score the 1,000^th career training victory for Klopp. Of those wins, 639 have been recorded at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

A home bred still owned by breeder Michael Klinger with Christine Cagle, Rosso Fuoco moved out to the lead early for Ramos and pulled away in the lane, winning by eight lengths in the one-mile event.

Air Charger and Humberto Haldar finished second with Dream Fast and Andres Ulloa finishing third. It was the second career win for Rosso Fuoco, a three-year-old Indiana bred son of Vino Rosso.

“It feels really good to reach this milestone but it’s really not about the trainer,” said Klopp, who owns and operates a farm in nearby Rushville, Ind. “It is a team effort. You have to rely on your workers and the owners and the jockeys and jocks’ agents. If you don’t work together as a team, then it shows.”

Klopp (photo, fourth from right) began in the racing industry under his stepfather, Walter Abner, and learned the business from a young age. The Connersville native took out his trainer’s license in 1992, racing primarily in the Midwest.

He and his wife, Liz, who owns and operates the pony horse business at the track, have built up a very solid stable that has produced numerous state champions and garnered his operation leading trainer titles four out of the last five years, including the past two seasons. Klopp is currently in second place this year with 37 wins.

“We’ve had a lot of nice Indiana breds like Latigo and Joyous Lady, but there are so many I can’t even think to mention,” added Klopp. “It really goes back to all the hard work our team does in the barn. Josue DonJuan galloped for me for five or six years and we made him our assistant last year. This crew we have working for us now have all been with us for probably at least the last 10 years. It’s a great group and they work hard.”

Another important aspect of Klopp’s business is his longtime relationship with owner Roger Spiess, a retired veterinarian from Ohio. Together, they have spotted great buys at sales and Roger is on the ownership of many of the horses in Klopp’s barn. Although it wasn’t one of his horses for the win, Spiess was trackside to help celebrate the milestone with Klopp.

“I was aware the milestone was coming up,” added Klopp. “The owners wouldn’t let me forget it. They really keep track of that.”

Klopp also scored his 500^th career win at Horseshoe Indianapolis during the 2016 meet with a horse that won a lot of races for the stable, Wing and Wheel, ridden by Leandro Goncalves.

Klopp has conditioned 14 horses to $200,000-plus purse earnings over the past few years, including Cupid’s Runaway, back to back Horse of the Meet winner in 2024 and 2025, winning 13 races total between the two years, a new record for most wins by a horse at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

With winter training in place, Klopp remains at Horseshoe Indianapolis year round now. His stable includes a variety of younger horses as well as older veterans, showing the versatility of the expertise of the Klopp Stable.

The Shelby County Post is a digital newspaper producing news, sports, obituaries and more without a pay wall or subscription needed.