Race: Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial Stakes
Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Track: Horseshoe Indianapolis, Shelbyville, IN
Distance: 1 1/16 miles (Turf)
Surface: Turf
Purse: $100,000
Eligibility: 4-year-olds and up
Post Time: 4:05 PM ET
Race Number: 8
Field Overview & Entries
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree (Sire – Dam, by Dam Sire) | Notable Form |
| 1 | Surly Furious | Samuel Bermudez | Glenn Wismer | Upstart – Perfect Prediction (Majesticperfection) | 2nd in allowance at IND |
| 2 | Double Clutch | Corey Lanerie | George R. Arnold II | Optimizer – Switching Gears (Tapit) | 5th in G3 at CD |
| 3 | Money Supply | Edgar Morales | Joe Sharp | Practical Joke – Evita’s Sister (Candy Ride) | 4th in allowance at CD |
| 4 | Shards | Adam Beschizza | Kelsey Danner | Bucchero – Cynthia’s Fury (Northern Afleet) | 4th in G3 Turf Sprint |
| 5 | Moonlight | John Velazquez | Chris Block | Audible – Sundown (Unbridled’s Song) | Back-to-back wins |
| 6 | Hoosier Daddy Now | Marcelino Pedroza Jr. | John Langemeier | Charming Kitten – Scatter Point (Point Given) | Won local prep |
| 7 | Higgins Boat | Declan Cannon | Thomas Amoss | Omaha Beach – Betty Draper (Tapit) | 8th in G2 at CD |
| 8 | Runaway Storm | Alex Achard | Ethan West | Midnight Storm – Runaway Betty (Runaway Groom) | 6th off layoff |
| 9 | Encino | Luan Machado | Brad H. Cox | Nyquist – Glittering Jewel (Bernardini) | 7th in G3 Pimlico Special |
Race Analysis & Contender Breakdown
Moonlight
Trainer: Chris Block
Jockey: John Velazquez
Form: 2 straight wins including a sharp allowance score at Churchill Downs
Pedigree: Audible × Unbridled’s Song mare – stamina and turf class
Outlook: In peak form and gets a Hall of Fame rider. Tactical speed and proven at the distance.
Hoosier Daddy Now
Trainer: John Langemeier
Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza Jr.
Form: Won local prep at Horseshoe Indy
Pedigree: Charming Kitten × Point Given mare – bred for turf and distance
Outlook: Local horse-for-course angle. Could sit a perfect trip just off the pace.
Double Clutch
Trainer: George Arnold II
Jockey: Corey Lanerie
Form: Stakes-placed; 5th in G3 Turf Sprint at Churchill
Pedigree: Optimizer × Tapit mare – stamina and turf class
Outlook: Classy veteran with a strong late kick. Needs a pace to close into.
Shards
Trainer: Kelsey Danner
Jockey: Adam Beschizza
Form: 4th in G3 Turf Sprint; lightly raced 4YO
Pedigree: Bucchero × Cynthia’s Fury – turf sprinter with upside
Outlook: Could stretch out successfully. Dangerous if he relaxes early.
Pedigree Spotlight
Moonlight (Audible × Unbridled’s Song): Audible is emerging as a versatile sire; dam adds stamina and class.
Hoosier Daddy Now (Charming Kitten): By a proven turf router; dam line adds grit and distance.
Double Clutch (Optimizer × Tapit): Tapit mares produce stamina; Optimizer was a G1 turf router.
Encino (Nyquist × Bernardini): Godolphin homebred with classic dirt pedigree; turf is a question mark.
Top Pick: Moonlight – In top form, versatile, and gets a top jockey.
Value Play: Hoosier Daddy Now – Local prep winner with upside.
Exacta Box: Moonlight / Hoosier Daddy Now / Double Clutch
Longshot to Watch: Shards – Lightly raced and bred to stretch out.
