(Sahara Hottie wins the Indiana Stallion Fillies Stakes at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday / Photos by Coady Media)

From the Horseshoe Indianapolis Media Team / Tammy Knox:

Sahara Hottie sizzles in $100,000 Indiana Stallion Fillies

at Horseshoe Indianapolis

 

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Saturday, October 25, 2025) – Sahara Hottie and Santo Sanjur turned in a sizzling late burst of speed to score the title in the $100,000 Indiana Stallion Fillies during Indiana Champions Day Saturday, October 25 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The duo hit the wire in a charging finish to win by a head bob in the six-furlong sprint.

Starting from post six, Sahara Hottie got away fourth on the inside behind Relentless Chick and Jose Gutierrez, the pacesetters in the sprint. Imperial Merlot and Joe Ramos sat to the outside in second with race favorite Spirited Justice and Luis Contreras tracking the top pair in third on the outside of Sahara Hottie.

Moving into the only turn of the race, it appeared Sahara Hottie might not have extra speed for the final portions of the race. Spirited Justice exploded to the lead and was on top by four in the initial stages of the stretch drive. The others seemed to have too much ground to make up but midway down the stretch, Sahara Hottie came to life, making up a tremendous amount of ground and timed the wire just right for the win by a nose over Spirited Justice. Smokinghot Justice was third for Jockey Alberto Burgos.

“She (Sahara Hottie) broke good and was in a perfect spot,” noted Sanjur, a native of Panama. “At the head of the stretch, she had a lot of speed left and just exploded to the finish. That was the plan for the trip, and it worked out perfectly. And I always want to thank Bob (Gorham) and my agent Dennis Cooper for giving me these opportunities with horses like this.”

Sahara Hottie was a mild upset winner, paying $21.20 for the win. The two-year-old daughter of Sahara Sky is now two for four in her young career. She was bred and raised by Duane Swingley and was a private purchase by Marion Gorham for trainer Bob Gorham. Her win in the Indiana Stallion Fillies boosted her career bankroll to more than $88,000 with the win.

“Sahara Hottie was the first foal from Yellah,” noted breeder Duane Swingley, who was trackside for the winner’s circle presentation. “That mare (Yellah) also waited to make her late move when she was racing.”

Prior to the start of the 28th running of the Indiana Stallion Fillies, a gate malfunction happened, causing a delay and a scratch of Eltinge from the race. Fillies then regrouped with the auxiliary starting gate and re-entered the gate for the race.

Regarding the delay prior to the start, Swingley noted the effect on the fillies, including Sahara Hottie saying, “Some can handle it and some can’t. We are glad she (Sahara Hottie) was one of those that could.”

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.