Jess a Flyin Train rolls to top spot in Sterlie Bertram Memorial trials

In a unique twist during three trials for the Sterlie Bertram Memorial Wednesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis, three trainers claimed the top six spots heading to the $142,600 final set for Oct. 9.

Jess a Flyin Train led the pack down the track with a best time of 19.973 seconds heading to the Bertram Memorial Final.

Making his third start for trainer Claudio Barraza, Jess a Flyin Train began from post eight with Edgar Diaz at the controls. The duo made their presence known early in the lineup on the outside as Tin Knocker and Martin Munoz held a short advantage from the center of the track.

Midway through the 400-yard dash, Jess a Flyin Train took off, rallying past his opponents and taking over the lead, cruising under the wire for the win by one-half length. Stablemate DuPont Beach and Juan Marquez moved up the inside to finish second, just a head in front of HF Main Feature and L.D. Martinez, who was victorious for third in a three-way photo.

Jess a Flyin Train earned his first win of 2024 and his second overall. The Freighttrain B gelding is owned by Keith Bode. He hails from the Sheri Miller breeding operation in Northern Indiana. His dam, Jess Alive Bully, was a stakes winner in Indiana, scoring the title in the 2005 Jaguar Rocket Stakes.

The second fastest qualifier was the winner of the second trial as Cisco Beach and L.D. “Daniel” Martinez (photo) were dominant from start to finish, winning by one and one-half lengths at the wire in 19.997. MG Pilot Boy and Giovani Vazquez-Gomez finished second, a neck ahead of Ima Jess Dashing and Edgar Diaz.

Cisco Beach is owned by Pam Hann and Craig Zeneberg for trainer Tony Cunningham. The Escondido Beach three-year-old, bred by Duane Swingley, earned his fourth win and his second of 2024.

The third fastest qualifier was the winner of the third and final trial on the day. Sin Tachas Secret broke her maiden in her trial, posting a time of 20.003. With Martin Munoz in the irons, the Habits Secret filly broke from post seven and was vying for the top spot with Super Javi and Alberto Ceron.

She got the advantage a few furlongs before the wire and moved away from her opponents for the win by one and one-quarter lengths. Jess a Riot and L.D. Martinez and Eagle Flybye and Francisco Quintero, moved in unison toward Sin Tachas Secret. They were closing in quickly from the back but had to settle for second and third, respectively.

Sin Tachas Secret, a homebred by owner-trainer Ricardo Martinez, was making her 12^th career start. She just missed the title in the Julie Veltman Overnight Stakes in her last start by a head. She is the younger sister to the standout Tachas Secret, also trained by Martinez, who is three for five this season and career earnings over the $300,000 mark as a multiple stakes winner. Martinez also campaigned their sire, Habits Secret, to numerous stakes wins and earnings of more than $330,000 before retiring him to stud at Indiana’s Midwest Equine and Veterinary Hospital.

The final field headed to the Bertram Memorial Final, in order of time with jockey, includes: Jess a Flyin Train (19.973, Edgar Diaz); Cisco Beach (19.997, L.D. Martinez); Sin Tachas Secret (20.003, Martin Munoz); DuPont Beach (20.057, Juan Marquez); HF Main Feature (20.076, L.D. Martinez); Tin Knocker (20.086, Martin Munoz); The Good Candy (20.098, Erik Esqueda); Jess a Riot (20.206, L.D. Martinez); Eagle Flybye (20.231, Francisco Quintero); and MG Pilot Boy (20.253, Giovani Vazquez-Gomez).

Claudio Barraza saddles three for the final (Jess a Flyin Train, DuPont Beach, The Good Candy) along with Tony Cunningham, who saddles Cisco Beach, HF Main Feature and Eagle Flybye. Ricardo Martinez joins them with two for the final with Sin Tachas Secret and Tin Knocker.

The 22^nd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Nov. 14. Racing is held at 2:10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. One additional all-Quarter Horse racing day is set for 10:45 a.m. on Oct. 5.

For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find the track on Social Media @HSIndyRacing.

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