Louder Than Words roars in $100,000 Peony at Horseshoe Indianapolis

After finishing second in last year’s Peony, Louder Than Words came roaring back to win her second title in the 22^nd running of the $100,000 Peony Handicap Wednesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

The Indiana bred mare, guided by Marcelino Pedroza Jr., was a decisive winner, scoring the title for the second time in the past three years.

With the race moved from the turf to the dirt course due to earlier rains, Louder Than Words had to tangle with 10 opponents out of the starting gate as she left from post 10 in the one and one-sixteenth mile event. Pedroza had her in the early mix and had to alter early plans, sitting alongside race leader Crosley around the first turn.

Pedroza Jr. kept Louder Than Words wrapped up as they were getting pressure from both sides down the backstretch. Americana Anna and Evin Roman moved up three wide with Louder Than Words sandwiched in between them heading into the final turn.

Once Louder Than Words got the signal from Pedroza Jr. to go, she went to the lead, opening up by two and one-half lengths at the head of the lane. Louder Than Words had a big stride down the stretch and repelled one final charge from Three Coats and Santo Sanjur to win by one and one-quarter lengths in a time of 1:44.27. Three Coats was a comfortable second over Crosley for third.

“We planned to stay behind the pace because there were several horses in here with early speed,” noted Pedroza Jr. “But she (Louder Than Words) was on her toes and was dragging me out there. I was a little worried we might have made the lead too early, but she was really strong today and it worked out perfectly.”

Louder Than Words was not a factor among the favorites of the field, paying $17.60 for the win. The six-year-old daughter of Mr Speaker scored her ninth career win in her 28^th start, boosting her career earnings total to more than a half million for owners Michael Wern, Bob Dhondt, and Anthony Granitz.

The mare has been with Granitz her entire career and has won on all types of surfaces and distances. The win was her second of 2025 with Pedroza Jr. in the saddle for both victories.

“Cisco (Francisco Torres, Pedroza Jr.’s agent), called me and asked how I did on the last race, and I told him I finished second,” explained Pedroza, who was referring to Torres, who is recuperating from a recent car accident. “He told me to go out and ‘just win the next one.’ So, this win is for Cisco.”

Torres had an additional connection to Louder Than Words than just through Pedroza Jr. He recently breezed the mare to prepare her for the Peony.

“Cisco (Torres) and I go way back, and we have won a lot of races together,” noted Granitz. “A few weeks ago, Marcelino wasn’t available, and we needed to breeze her, so Cisco came over and breezed her for us. He told me when he came off the track she was ready to go, and he was right. I think her last start on the turf was a little soft and wasn’t quite right for her, so it was a blessing this race came off the turf today. We dedicate this win to Cisco.”

Torres, who retired about seven years ago, now serves as a jockey’s agent at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The multiple Graded Stakes winner had earnings of more than $68 million during a career that took him around the world on racing’s biggest stages. He retired in 2017 with more than 3,100 wins.

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