WR Hott Shott leads way in Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby Trials

It’s officially Quarter Horse Stakes season at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Included on the first all-Quarter Horse racing program of 2026 were three trials for the Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby, which will be contested June 18.

Leading the way among 30 starters is WR Hott Shott, who posted the fastest time on the day of 19.856 seconds.

WR Hott Shott was the strong morning line favorite but was not the post time favorite in the first trial on the day. The three-year-old son of One Famous Eagle began from post seven and immediately made an impact on the race.

Guided by Eduardo Diaz, the Oklahoma bred gelding rallied gate to wire for the win by a neck over TW Streakin Cowboy, who closed to finish second for Diego Villamil Bocanegra with the second fastest time on the day. Remember Da Queen and Leonardo Rodriguez, who flew in to ride from Louisiana, finished third.

WR Hott Shott paid $9.40 for the win. He is a homebred owned by Raymond Whitmire. It was his first start of 2026 and his third career win for trainer Tim Eggleston, who had five wins on the day.

The second fastest trial on the day was recorded in the final trial with Roses After Midnight and Giovani Vazquez-Gomez taking home the top spot in a time of 20.006. She was able to fend off Heza Hawkeye and Isidro Banuelos to win by one-half length. Dare to Fly and Edgar Diaz finished third.

Roses After Midnight was also making her first start of 2026, paying $15.80 for the win. The lightly raced daughter of The Marfa Lights earned her first career win in only three career starts for trainer Jessi Vazquez. Roses After Midnight, a $20,000 purchase at the Heritage Place September Yearling Sale, is owned by Ventura Racing.

The third trial winner had the fourth fastest time on the day as Sydney Jack (photo) completed Eggleston’s five win day. Guided by Rolando Pina, the Dulce Sin Tacha filly held her own along the inside en route to a neck win over Candy Spice and Oscar Macias at the wire in 20.081. Dare To Fly and Edgar Diaz finished third.

Sydney Jack is owned by Jordan Timm, Gabi Timm, and Gordon Timm. She paid $13.40 for the win in her 2026 debut. The Texas born filly was a $12,000 purchase as a yearling at the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale by the Timm family.

The entire field for the Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby Final, in order of time with jockey, includes: WR Hott Shott (19.856, Eduardo Diaz); TW Streakin Cowboy (19.900, Diego Villamil Bocanegra); Roses After Midnight (20.006, Giovani Vazquez-Gomez); Sydney Jack (20.081, Rolando Pina); Heza Hawkeye (20.104, Isidro Banuelos); Candy Spice (20.120, Oscar Macias); Remember Da Queen (20.153, Leonardo Rodriguez); Suzys Kristine (20.158, Giovani Vazquez-Gomez); Dare to Fly (20.179, Edgar Diaz); and Three Eyed Candy (20.254, Edgar Diaz).

Tim Eggleston will saddle four in the final (WR Hott Shott, Sydney Jack, Remember Da Queen, Heza Hawkeye) with trainers Jessi Vazquez (Roses After Midnight, Suzys Kristine) and Claudio Barraza (Dare to Fly, Three Eyed Candy) saddling two.

The Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby will be making its 17^th run on June 18. Final purse money is expected to top $100,000.

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