Rene Cazares Jr. enters Polka Polenta in Claiming Crown Tiara
Rene Cazares Jr. will enter his 8-year-old mare Polka Polenta into the $150,000 Claiming Crown Tiara at Churchill Downs on November 14, his first such entry during his rookie training season.
The Horseshoe Indianapolis-based conditioner celebrated his 23rd birthday on November 11. His journey highlights a transition from hotwalking for trainer Ethan West at age 16 to managing his own stable.
The trainer claimed Polka Polenta for $7,500 in July 2022 out of a starter optional claiming race at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The Fort Larned mare has since delivered seven wins, five seconds, and four thirds across 37 starts for Cazares Racing Stable, earning $226,077. She entered the upcoming race following a September 28 victory at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
Racing runs deep in the Cazares family. His father, Rene Cazares Sr., has worked for trainer Joseph Davis for approximately 15 years, while his uncle Jose trains at the Shelbyville, Indiana, track and another uncle, Antonio, works as a farrier. Cazares spent his youth studying their routines before taking out his own license in January after a year of studying for the test.
Entering November 11, the young trainer posted a 7-2-4 record from 41 starts across Turfway Park and Horseshoe Indianapolis, accumulating $146,978 in purses.
“I’m overly excited and grateful that I even get to go to Churchill Downs my first year,” Cazares said. “It doesn’t matter the size of the race, just being there you feel all the history and everything that goes down there. It’s beautiful. I’m just so grateful that I have the opportunity and that this mare has allowed me to even participate.”
Securing outside clients remains a hurdle for young trainers trying to build a reputation in an industry dominated by veteran operations. Cazares currently runs a compact barn of six horses, five of which belong to him and his father, while his cousin recently claimed the sixth.
“You don’t see young people in this industry,” Cazares said. “It’s sad because if there’s no young people coming into the industry, eventually the industry is going to vanish. People don’t trust you enough, and you’ll have to work really hard to earn the respect from these veteran trainers and owners.”
“That could definitely help me, advance me, get me into people’s radar—maybe earn a little bit of respect as a young guy,” Cazares said regarding his upcoming start in the Claiming Crown. “I want to make a statement that I’m here to stay and that I’m going to accomplish everything I want to.”
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