SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Tuesday, April 15, 2025) — It was no surprise to see defending Leading Trainer Randy Klopp back in the winner’s circle for the season opener Tuesday, April 15 with Mondavila. And his streak continued in the second race when he scored a win with last year’s Horse of the Meet Cupid’s Runaway in the second race to pick up where he left off in 2024 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
 
Mondavila was quick out of the gate for two-time leading jockey Joseph Ramos at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The three-year-old grey son of Mondavi battled early from the outside with Tiz Eddie and Sammy Bermudez and Reflex and Emmanuel Esquivel.
 
In the stretch, Mondavila was still neck and neck with Tiz Eddie before pulling away to a three and three-quarter length advantage at the wire. Tiz Eddie was second over Commando Joe and Marcelino Pedroza Jr., who rallied up late for third.
 
Mondavila was the favorite, paying $4.20 for the win. He is owned by Liz Klopp and Jill Patrick, who also owns Quarter Horses in Indiana and is the longtime receptionist for Franklin Community Schools.
 
“This is phenomenal,” noted Patrick. “He’s been training well up to this point, and we are excited to see him race so well to start off the year. This is the second Thoroughbred we have owned. We also had his brother, Blue Kalon, who raced well for us.”
 
Blue Kalon was stakes placed for Patrick. His younger brother, Mondavila, had four starts last year, winning two of those. Although they have had previous experience with him, it was the first time being paired up with Mondavila for Ramos.
 
“I talked to Joseph before the race and he said he had never ridden him,” smiled Klopp. “I told him I had never ridden him either, so use your own judgment.”
 
It was a good start for Ramos, who missed most of 2024 due to injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident. He returned to the saddle in late August last year and ended up with 29 wins to break the top 10.
 
“This feels very special to me,” said Ramos, who earned the leading jockey title in 2022 and 2023. “To be back and win the very first race of the meet, it feels good. And it’s especially nice to win for Randy (Klopp). I jumped on this horse a couple times in the morning, but you really don’t get to know a horse like that. But Randy had him fit and has been working hard all winter. I’m very happy to everyone for the support they have shown me.”
 
New jockey Luis Contreras, who relocated to the Midwest earlier this year from riding mainly in Canada, made his 2023 Indiana debut with a win also, scoring the victory in the second race aboard Klopp’s Cupid’s Runaway. The five-year-old chestnut son of Cupid went to the front end and was challenged in the stretch by Mine Own Star and Fernando De La Cruz. Cupid’s Runaway looked to be defeated midway through the stretch but came back on Mine Own Star and got the win at the wire by a nose. Unraptured and Rafael Mojica Jr. finished third.
 
Cupid’s Runaway is owned by breeder Reese Ranch. His win on the season opener is his sixth straight trip to the winner’s circle after completing 2024 on a five-race win streak. Overall, he won seven of eight last year in Indiana to be named Horse of the Meet and join Longleggedlaverne for the record for most wins in one season by a horse at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
 
The 23^rd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing runs through Thursday, Nov. 13. For more information on racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find details on social media @HSIndyRacing.