(Spirited Justice wins the Back Home Again Stakes at Horseshoe Indy on Wednesday / All Photos by Coady Media)

From the Horseshoe Indianapolis Media Team / Tammy Knox:

Spirited Justice shines in Back Home Again Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis

 

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Wednesday, October 1, 2025) – Spirited Justice and Luis Contreras closed out a big day of premier racing Wednesday, October 1 with a victory in the final Thoroughbred race of the day, taking home the title in the $100,000 Back Home Again Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis. It was the second premier win of the day for Trainer Tomas Medina, who also won the $100,000 ITOBA Stallion Season Handicap with Rapid Justice.

Spirited Justice was the favorite and left the gate with authority from post five. Contreras had a big hold on the filly, trying to rate her for the remainder of the six furlong sprint. Spirited Anne and Walter Rodriguez were tracking the top pair on the inside with Diva Las Vegas and Sophie Doyle staying close from the outside.

Around the turn, Spirited Justice began to open up on the field. By the time she was in the stretch, she was ahead of her opponents by four and one-half lengths, coasting under the wire for Contreras by nearly three lengths as the winner. Eltinge and Marcelino Pedroza Jr. moved up the inside to finish second over Spirited Anne for third.

“She is amazing,” said Contreras, who moved his tack to Indiana for the first time this season. “I am very happy the way she ran. She broke sharp, and I knew she had a lot of speed, but she showed it today.”

Spirited Justice paid $6.60 for the win. It was the third win in four starts for the Lantana Mob filly, who now has more than $100,000 on her card. She is owned by Seeley Chay Justice and was bred by Justice Farm. Medina now has conditioned her to a small three-race win streak.

“I am very fortunate to have her in my barn,” said Medina. “I am especially glad for all the help that they got this win today with her. They work very hard and I want to say thank you to them.”

For Contreras, it was a first for the veteran jockey. The Mexican born rider was one of the top jockeys in Canada for more than a decade and was named the Sovereign Award Outstanding Jockey in Canada. With more than 60 career Graded Stakes victories, including Canada’s top race, the Queen’s Plate, Contreras can now say he has a premier win in Indiana with his victory aboard Spirited Justice.

“I am very happy to get my first stakes win here,” added Contreras. “I plan to stay in this area and race at Turfway in the winter. I really like it here.”

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.