(Q’s Topnotch wins the Circle City Handicap at Horseshoe Indy on Wednesday / All Photos by Coady Media)

From the Horseshoe Indianapolis Media Team / Tammy Knox:

First class performance by Q’s Topnotch in Circle City Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis

 

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Wednesday, October 1, 2025) – Q’s Topnotch showed just how much potential he has in his young career, swooping by and taking home the title in the $100,000 Circle City Handicap during Hoosier Day at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Guided by Marcelino Pedroza Jr., the Indiana sired freshman is now a premier racing winner for his connections.

Q’s Topnotch began from post eight and was quick out of the gate, but so were three others. He was four-wide down the backstretch vying neck and neck with Troubleonthegreen and Fernando De La Cruz between horses with Seen You Later and Carlos Barbosa holding their ground on the inside. Geole, ridden by Erik Asmussen, was also in the mix inside Q’s Topnotch.

All four horses stayed together around the only turn of the six furlong sprint. It wasn’t until they straightened out that Q’s Topnotch got a slight advantage on the outside. As he pulled away from the horses to his inside, Young Angus and Joe Ramos were gaining ground with their late closing kick. However, they could not catch Q’s Topnotch, who was a winner by two lengths at the wire. Young Angus was second over Seen You Later.

“He (Q’s Topnotch) normally breaks sharp and did again today,” said Pedroza Jr., a three-time leading jockey at Horseshoe Indianapolis. “We stayed outside, and he seemed comfortable. When I asked him for more speed, he responded really well. Even though he’s just two, he handled everything like a professional.”

Q’s Topnotch paid $11.00 for the win. The homebred son of Qurbaan was bred and raised by Bruce and Lori Murphy at their farm near Crawfordsville, Ind. They are now in partnership with Genaro Garcia’s Southwest Racing Stable. Garcia, who is Indiana’s all-time leading trainer by wins, trains the flashy chestnut gelding.

“Genaro (Garcia) and his team have done an outstanding job with this colt,” said Bruce, who owns and operates Murphy Trailer Sales. “This colt ran here and then ran against open company (Prairie Meadows Stakes at Prairie Meadows). We are very fortunate to have a colt like this.”

Q’s Topnotch is now three for four in his young career and undefeated at Horseshoe Indianapolis. His win in the Circle City moved his career bankroll over the $110,000 mark. He is the son of Murphy’s stallion Qurbaan, who stands at the Indiana Stallion Station in Anderson, Ind., one of the new and exciting additions to the breeding program for the state.

“Our Indiana bred two-year-olds are getting better and better,” noted Murphy, who has invested heavily in the program. “I encourage everyone to continue on. We are seeing the program get better and better each year.”

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.