(Imagine the Moon wins the Shelby County Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Wednesday / All Photos by Coady Media)

From the Horseshoe Indianapolis Media Team / Tammy Knox:

Imagine the Moon shines in $100,000 Shelby County

at Horseshoe Indianapolis

 

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Wednesday, June 4, 2025) – One year made a big difference for Imagine the Moon. The five-year-old mare finished second in the $100,000 Shelby County last season. This year was her year to visit the winner’s circle, bringing home the title in the 23rd running of the event, one of the oldest premier races at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Guided by Abel Cedillo, Imagine the Moon began from post two but her time near the leaders was delayed as Crosley and Marcelino Pedroza Jr. and Eye Shadow, ridden by Alberto Burgos occupied the top spots in the early stages of the six-furlong race. Werk It Wendy and Rodney Prescott joined them along the outside. Cedillo sat patiently on Imagine the Moon around the only turn of the race and coming into the stretch, he had the mare ready for action.

Werk It Wendy had taken over the top spot and was primed and in position for a good stretch drive. However, Imagine the Moon proved to be a worthy opponent. With her long stride, she gained ground with every step, passing by for the win in the final strides. Werk It Wendy finished second, just a half length back and two lengths ahead of third place finisher The Kid Pataky, who saved ground inside for Joe Ramos and moved up for a place in the top three.

“We didn’t break as sharp as I wanted but there was a lot of speed in the race, so it worked out fine,” noted Cedillo, who recently relocated to the Midwest from California and is currently based at Churchill Downs. “We sat in behind and in the stretch, she took me to the wire easy. She’s a tough mare with a big stride.”

Imagine the Moon was a mild upset winner, paying $10.60 for the win. The daughter of Ready’s Image is a homebred for Katie and Tony Duran’s Rancho Monarca of Shelbyville, Ind. It was her seventh career win and her second premier racing title.

“There was a lot of speed in this race, so I told Abel (Cedillo) if he broke well, to go to the lead, but if he didn’t just to stay back off the leaders,” said Tony Duran. “He did exactly what we asked. He has really good hands and it worked out perfect.”

Imagine the Moon was making her first start since April. However, Duran noted he doesn’t want to rush her.

“There just wasn’t a good race for her and I didn’t want to push her,” added Tony. “We just find spots for her. She is a big horse with a big body and a big stride. She’s kind of mean, but other than that, she’s good to work with. Nino, my assistant, gets along well with her. She eats lots of carrots.”

Imagine the Moon had a slightly different path in her younger days of racing. One of their owners, Dwayne Tinkle, has a weanling and needed a pasture mate. Imagine the Moon moved to his farm.

“She and Rileys Redemption grew up together as yearlings,” noted Tinkle. “I told Tony (Duran) from the start she was going to be a stakes winner. She was so fast in the field. Both of those horses ended up being great race horses for us.”

The Durans raced the dam of Imagine the Moon, Themoonandthestars. She finished fifth in the Shelby County in 2010 before heading to the brood mare ranks. The mare produced several foals for the Durans and several winners, but because of her age, they decided to stop breeding her and gave her away to a friend. No doubt, Imagine the Moon will wind up at the Duran’s farm when she retires from racing.

The 23rd 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.