German Rodriguez taking dual role in Heartland Futurity final

 For German Rodriguez, the journey from jockey to trainer has come full circle, and just in time for one of the biggest Quarter Horse days of the meet at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

On July 19, Rodriguez will return to the paddock with a special mount, Heza Hawkeye (photo), a Texas-bred 2-year-old gelding who earned the fastest qualifying time of 17.555 seconds in the Heartland Futurity Trials on June 28.

With a $172,480 purse, the Heartland Futurity Final is one of several major stakes races on July 19 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, which will feature the $195,800 Gordon Mobley Futurity, $127,700 Blue River Derby, and the $134,200 Jaguar Rocket Futurity.

Rodriguez has been a licensed jockey since 2008 where his first mount came aboard Date Me at Hawthorne, but 2025 marks a major milestone: earning his trainer’s license. Inspired by his father, who both rode and trained horses at Horseshoe Indianapolis, German took on the challenge with his fiancé by his side.

“It was a lot of bookwork,” Rodriguez said. “Me and my fiancé (Ryleigh Fisher) stayed up studying for that test for a while.”

That hard work paid off. Now both trainer and jockey for Heza Hawkeye, Rodriguez has guided the young gelding through his first two career starts for Chavez Racing, managed by Roberto Chavez. Interestingly, the connection didn’t begin with instant chemistry.

“When Roberto (Chavez) first asked me if I liked him, I said not really,” said Rodriguez. “But when I showed up to work, he was in the barn, and we had to break him.”

What began with doubt became a standout partnership, and the relationship with Heza Hawkeye has developed. Calm and composed in the barn, Rodriguez describes the colt’s temperament as ideal.

“He’s real calm in the barn. He’ll walk around his stall and just lay down,” noted Rodriguez.

That demeanor contrasts with the power Heza Hawkeye showed in the trials, winning by an impressive two- and-one quarter lengths. Now all focus is on July 19, where German Rodriguez will attempt to make his mark in the Heartland Futurity Final as both the trainer and jockey of a top contender.

The all-Quarter Horse Stakes Day is set for 10:45 a.m. on July 19, featuring an elite day of Quarter Horse racing.

In addition to racing, several activities will be available including kid’s activities, Quarter Four contest provided by Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana, food trucks, and winner’s circle giveaways.

Martha Claussen, nationally known Quarter Horse analyst from Texas, will also be trackside to support the power packed day of racing.

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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