TW Streakin Cowboy wins $320,750 Governor’s Stakes at Horseshoe Indianapolis

On a day with a lot of upsets at Horseshoe Indianapolis, TW Streakin Cowboy held up his favorite status Saturday and ran away with the title in the 29^th running of the $320,750 Governor’s Stakes Final.

The race is the oldest pari-mutuel Quarter Horse race in the state as the first race run during the inaugural season of Quarter Horse racing in 1997 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. This year also marks a new record for purse money as only the second race to ever top $300,000, very different from the $10,000 initial purse for the inaugural running in 1997, showing the growth of Indiana Quarter Horse racing.

TW Streakin Cowboy came into the race as the favorite off his chart-topping performance in the trials in a time of 19.933 seconds, the quickest of 42 seeking a spot in the final. Guided by Diego Villamil Bocanegra, TW Streakin Cowboy was out of the gate in a flash during the 400-yard sprint and established himself as the leader in the first few strides.

As the race came down the stretch, TW Streaking Cowboy increased his lead with each stride, reaching the wire by one and one-half lengths ahead of the competition in a time of 19.367.

WR Hott Shott and Eduardo Diaz finished second over Heza Hawkeye and German Rodriguez for third.

TW Streakin Cowboy paid $4.40 to his backers. He is a home bred product, carrying the initials of owner-breeder Tom Wylie of Ohio in his name. He is now on a three-race win streak for trainer Natasha Perez and is three for five in his career. The win in the Governor’s Stakes catapulted him over the $200,000 mark for career earnings.

“I just saw something amazing,” said Wylie in a post-race interview from the winner’s circle with Martha Claussen. “He (TW Streakin Cowboy) did his job today. This horse is special because I bought his mom (WH Imastreakinbeach) from Mr. Morrison. He was going through a tough time after losing his son, and I knew what he was going through as I lost a son also. So, this win, and this horse is special to me. He will be back at three to run.”

Perez, former jockey and now a trainer in Indiana, rode in the Governor’s Stakes many times. Now she has a win in the race in only her fourth season as a trainer.

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