EXPRESS RUN, by UNBRIDLED EXPRESS, and jockey Jon Court just missed in the last outing in the $100,000 Richmond Stakes at Indiana Grand, but their start in the 21st running of the 1 1/16 miles test for registered Indiana bred fillies and mares, 3yo and up was a perfect set up. Racing for her breeder LTB Inc & Hillerich Racing LLC, UNBRIDLED EXPRESS performed just like the seasoned mare needed to with Court sitting patiently before making a strong move around the final turn, opening up to a three and one-quarter length win at the wire to stop the time in 1:44:06.

Court had to rally out of post nine int he 10-horse field but was able to sit alongside in mid pack. The action on the front became heated from the start as Marina’s Legacy and DeShawn Parker set the pace along the inside of Elegant Model and Rodney Prescott. The two opened up by nearly double digit lengths at times down the backstretch before the remainder of the pack began to close in.

EXPRESS RUN was the first visible horse to make a move forward heading into the final turn. She had her sights set on the top ones and at the top of stretch, she was in control. Moving out oto the lead, Court kept EXPRESS RUN focused on her job and easily slid under the wire for an easy victory, her second of the year in eight starts.

“When I called on her fairly early, I could tell I had a lot of horse, so I just nursed her to the top of the stretch. Then when I called on her again, I had a full bridle.” stated Jon Court.

EXPRESS RUN earnings sit just shy of $300,000. Trained here by Bernie Flint, his assitant trainer Shannon McGovern, who oversees the operations for Flint’s Indiana string, stated “We just keep her happy. She is pretty easy to care for. She’s kind of the queen of the barn.”