(Corningstone wins the Piedi Bianchi ‘Cap at Horseshoe Indy on Wednesday / All Photos by Coady Media)

From the Horseshoe Indianapolis Media Team / Tammy Knox:

Corningstone becomes state’s richest female with win in  Piedi Bianchi Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis

 

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Wednesday, October 1, 2025) – History was made Wednesday, October 1 during Hoosier Day. Corningstone came into the $150,000 Piedi Bianchi Handicap just shy of $800,000 on her card. A top two finish would put her ahead of Piedi Bianchi as the richest Indiana bred female ever. She accomplished her goal by winning the event and taking over the top spot on the very impressive list of female performers in Indiana history, now possessing more than $879,000 in career earnings for her connections.

Corningstone was favored coming into the race but made little noise in the initial stages of the race as Tiz Bayou and Mitchell Murrill rushed out to secure the top spot, holding that advantage by open lengths around the first turn. Crosley and Sammy Bermudez held down second over Lil Gin N Class and Orlando Mojica to their outside. Corningstone settled in fifth for Joel Bealmear, who was aboard for the first time in the mare’s stellar career.

Heading down the backstretch, Bealmear kept Corningstone content to follow along and didn’t rush her. It wasn’t until the final turn of the one and one-sixteenth mile race that she got the signal it was time to pick up the pace. Corningstone began to ascend on the leaders around the final turn and was in striking position of the front at the head of the lane.

Corningstone then moved into a different hemisphere of speed, slowly inching up to take the lead and then powering home with an even bigger gear. In the end, she was a winner by two and one-quarter lengths over Louder Than Words and Marcelino Pedroza Jr., who saved ground inside to close in for second. Lil Gin N Class maintained third.

“I have been such a fan of this mare for years, and to get to ride her is a dream come true,” said Bealmear, who scored his first premier win aboard the champion mare. “When I got the call to ride her, I worked her a couple times in the morning, just to get used to her. She can get pretty feisty in the morning, but in the afternoon, she is all business. She played it out in this race perfectly. All I needed to do was to get her in a good spot and she took over and did the rest.”

Corningstone earned her ninth career win in the 29th running of the Piedi Bianchi Handicap. She paid $4.80 for the win. The five-year-old daughter of Kantharos has been owned her entire career by Christian Erickson’s Payson Stud and Royce Pulliam’s RTA Trust. Ken McPeek trains the talented Indiana bred filly, who scored her second win of 2025. Dr. Greg and Deann Baer of Columbus, Ind. bred and raised the mare.

“With Brian (Hernandez Jr.) down, I called Kenny (McPeek) and asked him to give Joe (Bealmear) a shot,” said Erickson. “Kenny knows Joe is pretty young and just getting started, but I’m so glad Kenny agreed to give him a shot.”

Unlike Bealmear, Corningstone has six career stakes victories, four of which have been under the guidance of Hernandez Jr. Four of her premier wins have been recorded at Horseshoe Indianapolis, including the $200,000 Indiana First Lady as a three-year-old. With 28 career starts, the Graded Stakes placed mare has competed against some of the top females in her division over the past four years and held her own as her career is winding down.

“She (Corningstone) has a date with either Twirling Candy or Gun Runner, those are the two we have decided on,” said Erickson. “In fact, if Gun Runner’s team would like to consider a foal share, give us a call.”

For now, Corningstone has a few more stops on her racing schedule before heading to the brood mare ranks. Horseshoe Indianapolis has one more on the program this fall, and plans are to head back to the Pippin at Oaklawn in January, a race she won last year for her connections.

For Bealmear, his first premier victory had special meaning. His uncle is Erickson, and his family greeted him in the winner’s circle for the victory.

“I am just so excited and thankful to get this win today,” added Bealmear. “And, to have family connections behind it makes it even better. I really studied and watched her replays and realized the less you do the better. I’ve said for several years she is the best horse to come out of Indiana. I didn’t know she became the richest Indiana mare until after the race. I couldn’t ask for a better day.”

Corningstone is now ranked third overall on the list of top Indiana bred earners. Bucchero still leads the way with $947,936 followed by Strong Tide at $910,639. Corningstone’s third highest tally of $879,000 is followed by two mares, Piedi Bianchi at $829,497 and Lady Fog Horn rounding out the top five at $824,273.

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.