Trainer Genaro Garcia scores 1,000th win at Horseshoe Indianapolis

A big milestone was riding on first time starter Let’s Get Lit, and the Indiana sired sophomore came through as the 1,000^th winner for trainer Genaro Garcia.

The three-time leading trainer and second in all-time wins in Indiana achieved a goal he has been waiting to get.

“I’m really excited to get my 1,000^th,” said Garcia. “It’s much better at home. This win is almost as hard as my first win to get. I’ve known since the end of the meet last fall, I was getting close. And don’t get me wrong, I like winning races, but I’m really excited to win it here because this is home.”

Starting from post four with 2025 Leading Apprentice Jockey Jose Gutierrez, Let’s Get Lit stepped out of the gate with authority, claiming the top spot early in the five and one-half furlong sprint. He was joined by Lil Chance and Irving Moncada through the early stages of the maiden claiming event.

In the stretch, Let’s Get Lit was still in the lead and was not giving in. The field chased him to the wire where he was a two-length winner over Officer Gambill and Mitchell Murrill, who maintained ground inside for second. Mi Sargento and Evin Roman, who is two wins away from his 1,000^th riding victory, finished a closing third.

Let’s Get Lit paid $7.40 for the win. The chestnut son of Harry’s Holiday is owned by Garcia’s Southwest Racing Stable. Duane Swingley bred the gelding, who used four works to prep for his racing debut.

“I liked the horse (Let’s Get Lit), but you know, he was a first time starter so anything can happen,” noted Garcia. “I used to have his half-brother. I feel like in this level he will be pretty competitive.”

Garcia came into the day two away from 1,000 wins. He scored a victory in the race before with Slam Dunk Justice to secure his first training double of the 2026 meet, which was the fourth day of the season. Marcelino Pedroza Jr. guided Slam Dunk Justice to the win.

It was the third win of the meet for Garcia, who has been training since 2006 and has been based out of Indiana his entire career. He has had many Indiana champions over the years, including Gold Luck, Molly’s Town, Climber, and Sir Bahjy. He races a small stable at Oaklawn during the winter months before returning to Indiana in the spring.

Overall, horses from his stable have earned in excess of $24.3 million. Garcia now has 605 wins at Horseshoe Indianapolis and more than $14.7 million in purse earnings.

Garcia was surrounded by friends and family for the winner’s circle presentation following his milestone victory (photo). Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing, made the presentation.

The 24^th season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing offers 123 days of action, extending 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.

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