Coppola directs field in $100,000 William Garrett Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis

Heavy rains in the area may have forced the fourth running of the $100,000 William Garrett off the turf course Friday at Horseshoe Indianapolis, but it did not damper the excitement surrounding the race.

Heavy rains in the area may have forced the fourth running of the $100,000 William Garrett off the turf course Friday at Horseshoe Indianapolis, but it did not damper the excitement surrounding the race.

Named in honor of Shelbyville’s William Garrett, who led the Shelbyville Golden Bears to a state basketball championship in 1947, the race attracts some top talent each year, including this year’s winner Coppola.

The field was reduced to five as it moved to the dirt course for the five-furlong sprint and the multiple stakes winning Coppola was the favorite. Guided by Emmanuel Esquivel, Coppola (photo) went straight to the lead and had a challenge from Adios Gary and Eddie Perez before sprinting on by, taking the lead and posting a winning advantage by more than six lengths.

Mister Mmmmm and Marcelino Pedroza Jr. finished second over Adios Gary.

Coppola paid $2.60 for the win. The five-year-old Into Mischief horse is owned by Hammer Time Stable and Sport of Kings Racing Partners. Dale Romans trains the horse, who earned his eighth career win and moved his career earnings tally to more than $600,000 with the win.

“He’s fast,” said Esquivel, a multiple Graded Stakes winning jockey with more than 1,100 career wins. “I just wanted to hang on because he just wants to go. I was just trying not to fall off.”

Members of the William Garrett Family were trackside to present the trophy to the ownership of Coppola (photo). Representing the family included William Garrett’s son, Billy Garrett, along with his nephew, James Garrett, and great nephew James Garrett III.

William Garrett is an iconic figure in Indiana as he became the first African American player in the Big 10 at Indiana University. After serving in the Army, he played for the Harlem Globetrotters before becoming a coach, teacher, and school administrator.

“Anytime I can come back to Shelbyville and this area, it is great,” noted Billy Garrett, who now resides in Chicago. “I have a lot of fond memories here. It’s been a great day at the track. We have enjoyed being here for this race to honor my father.”