(Sir Bahjy wins the Unreachable Star Stakes at Horseshoe Indy on Saturday / Photos by Coady Media)

From the Horseshoe Indianapolis Media Team / Tammy Knox:

Sir Bahjy rules in $250,000 Unreachable Star at Horseshoe Indianapolis

 

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Saturday, October 25, 2025) – Sir Bahjy and Marcelino Pedroza Jr. came out the winners in a thrilling finish with horses all across the track at the finish of the $250,000 Unreachable Star Handicap. The race was the final premier event for the Thoroughbred portion of the card, leading into the richest Quarter Horse program of all time on the last half of the event.

Sir Bahjy was not quick out of the gate in the one mile, 70 yard dash, but he made up for it in the latter stages. He sat in mid pack as Rapid Justice and Gabe Saez and Dr Alex is In and DeShawn Parker led the way through the first half of the race. Coming out of the turn, Dr Alex in In was able to spin away from his opponents and get a two-length advantage heading down the lane. In the final strides, Terminally Handsom and Joe Ramos along with Sir Bahjy were leading the charge to overtake the leader. In the final stride, Sir Bahjy got the win by a head over Terminally Handsom. Gin and Whiskey and Sammy Bermudez rounded out the top three with a closing effort.

“I was kind of worried in the starting gate,” admitted Pedroza Jr., a three-time leading jockey at Horseshoe Indianapolis. “He (Sir Bahjy) didn’t want to load, and then when they got him loaded, he didn’t want to stand and was moving around. So, he broke a little slow but it was okay. We actually got in a perfect spot early on and just waited to make his move. He had a real kick for me today.”

Sir Bahjy was the favorite, paying $7.60 for the win. The son of Bahjatty is a home bred raised by Bruce and Lori Murphy. The mare, Proud Dreamer, is also a graduate of the racing program at Horseshoe Indianapolis, winning a race in 2019 and accumulating earnings of more than $63,000 before heading to Murphy’s farm in Crawfordsville to become a brood mare. The sophomore gelding is now owned by Southwest Racing Stables and Bruce and Lori Murphy. The Murphys also own the stallion, Bahjatty. It was the third win on the card for the trio of Pedroza Jr., Murphys, and trainer Genaro Garcia. Governor Mike Braun and Indiana First Lady Maureen Braun were in attendance for Indiana Champions Day and helped present the trophy to the connections of Sir Bahjy.

“We are very, very fortunate and very blessed,” said Murphy following his third win on the day. “We have the studs here, so we are lucky to get all three of these wins from them today (Qurbaan, Bahjatty). And, to have the Governor and the First Lady with us is an added bonus. Let’s all support Indiana racing. It’s a fantastic addition to the state of Indiana.”

Both Qurbaan and Bahjatty, Murphy’s stallions, stand at Indiana Stallion Station in Anderson, Ind. Murphy brought both of them to Indiana in 2020. Sir Bahjy and Murphy’s earlier winner, Seeyouinabit, are by Bahjatty and are now the top two performers from the Carpe Diem stallion.

The Unreachable Star Handicap is named in honor of multiple Indiana Horse of the Year Unreachable Star, who ran for Trainer Tim Glyshaw and owners from Loosen Up Stable. The Indiana bred earned more than $780,000 during his career with 17 wins as a multiple stakes winner.

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.