Garcia selected as 'Groom of the Week'

Enrique Garcia, a caretaker for the Cipriano Contreras Stable at Indiana Grand, was selected as the recipient of “Groom of the Week." Garcia received $100 from Backstretch Supplies, the sponsor of the award during the month of July.

Garcia has only been working with horses for two years. The Mexico native has traveled to several states so far perfecting his craft of caring for Thoroughbred racehorses with stops at Penn National in Pennsylvania and Oaklawn Park in Arkansas in addition to Indiana Grand.

“This year is the first year that I’ve worked for Cipriano, and I really like working for him,” said Garcia. “I like all the horses, but I’d have to say my favorite is Archie’s Girl. She is just a beautiful horse.”

Garcia is one of four recipients of “Groom of the Week” in 2019. Backstretch Supplies, owned and operated by Bruce Murphy and Genaro Garcia, created the program last year to recognize caretakers that do an especially good job in presenting themselves and their horses during the racing program. Murphy wants to encourage other grooms to step up and showcase their horses in the paddock as several hundred thousand viewers tune in each racing program to watch Indiana Grand.

“I just think it’s important to put on the best show possible,” said Murphy. “Some of these grooms work really hard to make sure their horses look great in the paddock. We just wanted to do something to reward them for their extra work."

The final “Groom of the Week” for 2019 will be presented Saturday, Aug. 3 with the recipient also receiving $100 from Backstretch Supplies.

Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 6. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:15 p.m. and Saturday at 6:15 p.m. More information about the season is available at www.indianagrand.com.