SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024) — Elegant Justice turned in a smooth performance to score her second straight victory Wednesday, Oct. 2 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Ridden by Sammy Bermudez, the two-year-old filly scored the win in the 24^th running of the $100,000 Back Home Again Stakes as part of Hoosier Day featuring six premier races with purses exceeding $900,000.
 
Elegant Justice and Bermudez were the race favorites and used early speed out of the gate in the six furlong event to get up close early. Miss Candela and DeShawn Parker got the first call along the inside followed closely by Don’t Miss Out and Emmanuel Esquivel, but midway down the backstretch, Elegant Justice had taken over. The daughter of Hightail continued to lead the way around the turn and was primed and ready for the stretch drive.
 
Elegant Justice followed instructions from Bermudez and picked up the tempo for the stretch drive, fending off a late challenge from Hot Middles and Hannah Leahy. Elegant Justice was a two-length winner at the wire over longshot Hot Middles, who was open lengths ahead of Don’t Miss Out for third.
 
“First of all, I thank the Lord for this win and thank you to the owners and trainer for this opportunity,” said Bermudez. “She’s a fast one and I’m fortunate to get to sit on her. I just waited for her to go and she took off.”
 
Elegant Justice paid $2.40 for the win. The filly is owned by breeders Justice Farm and she is trained by Aaron West. She is now three for four in her brief career and gets her first stakes win to her credit from the Back Home Again Stakes.
 
“She is a very smart filly,” noted Aaron West. “She is a big strong filly too. The sky is the limit for her.”
 
The 22^nd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Thursday, Nov. 14. Racing is held at 2:10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. One additional all-Quarter Horse racing day is set for 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find the track on Social Media @HSIndyRacing.