Cigaronthebeach smoking in Julie Veltman Overnight Stakes at Horseshoe Indianapolis

Cigaronthebeach and Fernando Morin blazed down the lane to score the win in the last step of the second running of the $34,000 Julie Veltman Overnight Stakes Thursday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

The race is named in honor of Indiana’s all-time leading female Quarter Horse jockey, who is still ranked among the top 15 all-time riders by wins.

Cigaronthebeach began from post 10 and wasn’t an early contender as the focus was on the inside horses. Eye the Cartel and Cristian Esqueda were in a big battle with six other horses in the initial stages of the 350-yard dash. Paradise Beach and Edgar Diaz were holding their own in the center of the track as Eye the Cartel and Paradise Beach moved into the second half of the race in unison.

Cigaronthebeach came blazing in during the final six strides of the race and timed her charge just right, picking up the win by a head over Eye the Cartel. Paradise Beach finished a neck back in third. Less than a length and a half separated the top six finishers in the tight photo at the wire.

Cigaronthebeach was a longshot, paying $30.60 for the win. The Escondido Beach three-year-old filly earned her second win of 2025 and her third overall. She is a homebred by owner-breeder Peggyann Kent. Ron Raper, a nine-time leading trainer at Horseshoe Indianapolis, conditions the filly, who boosted her career bankroll to more than $54,000.

After finishing fourth in her QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Derby trial and not qualifying for the final, Cigaronthebeach stepped up for her first career stakes attempt in the Veltman Overnight Stakes. It was the first time aboard for Morin on the speedy sorrel filly.

She is a third-generation runner for Kent. Raper also trained the filly’s dam, Anniegetyourcigar, for Kent during her racing career, mainly in Indiana, through 2020.

The 23^rd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing runs through Nov. 13.

For more information on racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find details on social media @HSIndyRacing.

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