SureBet July 2014 by SureBet Racing News

J U LY 2 0 1 4 路 V O L . 8 N O . 7

Heza Dasha Fire scores

Ed Burke victory

pg. 5

SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

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CONTENTS J U LY 2014

•

VOL. 8 NO. 7

Cover photo courtesy of Los Alamitos Race Course Cover Story: Heza Dasha Fire scores Ed Burke victory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Feature Stories: TQHA yearling sale set for July 25-26 by Martha Claussen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jockey life: The crucial factor this profession provides to the sport of horseracing by Mike Curran. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame induction by Eugene Heathman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . It’s in the blood by Ty Wyant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

8 10 12 14

Los Alamitos Race Course: Melton reaches training milestone, Summer Thoroughbred Festival begins July 3, Los Alamitos picks up Fairplex race dates, Brinson named starter at Los Alamitos Arapahoe Park: Arapahoe Park launches medication-free incentive Delta Downs: Delta Downs changes Jackpot Day purse structure SunRay Park: SunRay Park up 46 percent Remington Park: Positive run continues at Remington Park

Race Recaps: Quarter Horse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Los Alamitos Race Course: Far Niente fastest to Vessels Maturity Arapahoe Park: Huge upset for Toshi Yoshi in Cherry Creek; All hail Midori N Smoke Delta Downs: I Am Intriguing, Allizoom fastest at Delta Downs; Jethro Almighty gets hard fought victory; Firecracker Derby trials; Quic Carter quickest to Firecracker; MCM Dashmaster pulls off upset; Worlds On High wins in dramatic fashion; Fdd Going Grand makes off with Develop A Plan Stakes Canterbury Park: Bhr Guys Flash Me wins Stallion Breeders’ Futurity; Kool Wagon wins Zimmerman; Northbound Pride Stakes goes to Ice for the Lady; Dirt Road Queen takes highway to victory Ruidoso Downs: Jody Pops Zoomer runs away in Higheasterjet; Kansas Morning fights to Adequan Derby win; Zuccardi impresses with easy win; Joiner horses win two of three trials; Reliance Ranches connections win Ruidoso Derby; Coronado Cartel wins Mr Jess Perry Stakes SunRay Park: DQ win in Four Corners Futurity; Miracle Snow dominates Jimmy Drake Stakes Remington Park: Photo finish in Heritage Place Futurity; Pure D Spit continues dominance

Thoroughbred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Arapahoe Park: Get Happy Mister is the (Rain) Man; From claiming races to stakes success; Wally Van, Travis Wales reunite for win Canterbury Park: A clear win in Dark Star Cup; Dancing to a victory Ruidoso Downs: Divine Gift gets up at the wire; Fincher one-two in Mountain Top Futurity; Alsono wins Norgor Derby SunRay Park: Ol Winedrinker Who takes upset win; El Gato Azul scores NMHA Win; You’ve Been Duped wins Totah Stakes; 1-2 finish for Fincher at SunRay Lone Star Park: Molly’s Honour gets the victory Emerald Downs: Del Rio Harbor super in Coca-Cola Handicap; Stryker PHD spectacular in Budweiser; Stopshoppingdebbie does it again; City By The Bay prevails in Seattle Handicap; Kenai King prevails in Emerald feature SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 3

SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

COVER STORY

June 22 • Los Alamitos Race Course, Cypress, CA

Heza Dasha Fire scores Ed Burke victory

-Quarter K LLC’s Heza Dasha Fire established himself as the top 2-year-old on the West Coast after a tremendous victory in the $985,000 Ed Burke Million Futurity June 22 at Los Alamitos. With Cruz Mendez in the irons, the son of Walk Thru Fire took the lead shortly after the start and dominated from that point forward on the way to posting the third fastest 350-yard time ever in the event’s history. Originally contested at 330 yards, the Ed Burke has been run yearly at 350 yards since 1956. Heza Dasha Fire’s winning time of 17.223 seconds is behind only champion Carters Cartel’s 17.17 in 2007 and champion Foose’s 17.220 in 2008. Heza Dasha Fire came into this race as the fastest qualifier after winning his trial in 17.40. Trained by Jose Flores, the 2-5 favorite Heza Dasha Fire was a half-length ahead of his rivals shortly after the start and he just got better from that point on. The Washington-bred runner was a full length ahead of 35-1 longshot and eventual runnerup Oneapolliticalflight with 110 yards to go in the race. He was an impressive 1 ¼ lengths ahead of his rival at the finish line. Heza Dasha Fire is now a perfect three for three in his career and all of them have been by daylight margins. Heza Dasha Fire earned $396,900 for the win to take his career earnings to $401,930. “I am dumbfounded right now,” said Shawn Meneely, who along with his parents Don and Kathy make up S-Quarter K LLC. “All three of his races have been great. “I’m speechless to win this race and be with these kind of horses. It’s a great feeling.” Shawn, 38, is a financial advisor based in Seattle. He became involved in the sport shortly after his parents purchased some broodmares. “We have two mares,” Kathy Meneely explained. “Don and I bought one and a year later we bought a second one and Shawn purchased half of that mare.” That mare was Dasha Freda, the mother of Heza Dasha Fire.

At top, Heza Dasha Fire ﬂies to victory in the Ed Burke Million; above, jockey Cruz Mendez smiles after he rode Heza Dasha Fire to victory at Los Alamitos. Photos courtesy of Los Alamitos Race Course SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 5

Members of the Burke family presented the trophy after the race. Photo courtesy of Los Alamitos Race Course

“The S-Quarter K LLC the partnership that we have with Shawn,” Kathy added. “This is the first time that I’ve seen this horse run in person,” Shawn continued. “I watched the first two on TV. To watch him run live gave me some big goose bumps. To watch him leave the gate, go so fast, and run the way he did all the way to the finish line was impressive. It was better watching him live.” Heza Dasha Fire has done everything right. Mendez, who piloted him to victory, added that the victory was as easy as it comes. “He just leaves out of the races. He breaks great,” he said. “I just had to urge him a little bit and it was just to make sure that he kept his mind on running. He ran a big race.” Heza Dasha Fire is now eligible to win the $1 million Los Alamitos Cash Bonanza, which would go to him if he can also win the Golden State Million Futurity and the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity. The lure of the $1 million bonus will make schedule planning a lot easier for S-Quarter K LLC and Flores. “I think we’ll just wait until the Golden State Million Futurity (trials on Oct. 19),” Flores said. “Well get him ready for that race. We’ll see how he pulls up. I’m not thinking All American Futurity, but 6 SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

it’s the owners’ decision. It’s their choice. He’ll stay here for a bit. Maybe we’ll send him to a ranch for about 30 days.” Don and Kathy Meneely are strongly leaning towards keeping Heza Dash Fire in California. “Our plan is to run him here,” Don explained. “We like the weather here and we still have a $1 million race in the Golden State Million Futurity and a $2 million race in the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity. I think it’s for the best interest of the horse to run here. There’s plenty of money to run for in California. We have no plans at this time to (go to) Ruidoso Downs. The All American Futurity is a prestigious race, but our plan is to keep him here. It’s tough out there because it’s two days of trials, plus there’s a climate and altitude change.” “The stars would need to align,” Kathy added about winning the All American. “What impresses me is his ability to break from the gate, get quick into stride, and then have the ability to finish strong,” Don said. The victory also completed a very emotional week for trainer Jose Flores, who a few days ago lost 2013 Kindergarten Futurity winner Glitter In My Face. The filly became ill last Saturday and had

to be euthanized. She won four of five career starts. She was owned by Flores’ dad, Antonio. “My dad was sad, I was sad. Our entire crew was upset. It was tough to lose Glitter In My Face,” the trainer explained. “We needed this boost for the barn. Whenever we win a big race, the entire crew gets happy. We really needed this. Glitter In My Face was a super horse. We miss her a lot.” A few days after losing Glitter In My Face, Flores was working hard with perfecting Heza Dasha Fire’s good behavior in the gate. “We schooled him in the gate twice before this race,” he said. “That’s the main thing that we’ve been working him since the Ed Burke trials. He’s always a calm and easy horse, but Cruz noticed that he’s been getting a little more anxious in the gate because he knows that he’s about to race. The more he’s run the more excited he’s become. We worked in the gate with him a lot because of that. The entire crew did a great job.” Heza Dasha Fire was so impressive in his two previous victories that few horsemen were surprised by the results of the Ed Burke final. “My horse (Forget It) ran well,” said Jaime Gomez referring to the third place finisher in the Ed Burke. “But Jose’s horse is just too strong.” Eduardo Nicasio, who piloted fifth place finisher Apollitical Blood, was of the same opinion. . “My horse did not break,” the talented jockey said. “He was running well at the end, but Jose’s horse is super strong.” Rancho El Cabresto, who campaigns fifth place finisher Apollitical Blood, also owns runner-up Oneapolliticalflight. Ridden by Raul Valenzuela, the filly by One Famous Eagle earned $160,650. Oneapolliticalflight and Apollitical Blood were both saddled by Juan Aleman. Dutch Masters III’s Forget It earned $113,400 for running third with Rodrigo Aceves as the pilot. Donald and Peggy Boyle’s BF Farm Boss pocked $66,150 for his fourth place finish. The complete order of finish is as follows: Heza Dasha Fire, Oneapolliticalflight, Forget It, BF Farm Boss, Apollitical Blood, Luv Supreme, Phenomenal Jess, Hot Shot, Wrap You Up, and Down To Boogie.

COVER STORY

Vivid outpaced the field in the Ed Burke Juvenile Stakes. Photo courtesy of Los Alamitos Race Course

Jose Flores enjoyed an Ed Burke double June 22. The trainer also saddled Howard Nichols’ Vivid to victory in the $25,000 Ed Burke Memorial Juvenile Stakes. Also ridden by Cruz Mendez, the Walk Thru Fire filly was the 11th fastest qualifier to the Ed Burke Million and just missed the 10th spot by 6/1000ths of a second. Vivid won the Ed Burke Juvenile by ¾ lengths. She covered the distance in 17.702 while earning $13,350 for the win. “She broke really nice and I think she’ll like more distance,” Nichols said. “We’ll give her 30 days off.”

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SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 7

TQHA yearling sale set for July 25-26 Smaller sale packs a Texas-sized punch

By Martha Claussen

FACT BOX

July 11, with the ten finalists to compete for their share of an estimated purse of $400,000. ach July, the Texas Quarter Horse The TQHA Yearling Sale boasts countAssociation (TQHA) hosts its annual 2014 TQHA Yearling Sale less graded stakes winners, but two sale Yearling Sale. The catalogs for the graduates, Oak Tree Special and Azoom, 17th annual TQHA Yearling Sale are in the Friday, July 25 have made their mark nationally in the mail for the two-day event, July 25-26 at and Saturday, July 26 Quarter Horse industry. the Exposition Hall at the Freeman Arena Oak Tree Special was purchased by Exposition Hall in San Antonio. owner Raul Rubalcava at the 2001 TQHA at the Freeman Arena Rob Werstler, TQHA director of racing, Yearling Sale for just $8,000; he was a standreports that 262 yearlings will pass through 3201 E Houston Street out throughout his career, winning 16 of his the sale ring this year. It is a smaller number San Antonio, Texas 24 starts and earning $628,470 in purses. He than last year, but will attract horsemen was honored as 2003 AQHA World ChamSale catalog available from all over the country who know that pion and top Three-Year Colt. at tqha.com or by calling the event has a noted history of producing The noted stallion passed away in April, 512-458-5202 outstanding sale graduates. 2013 and will long be remembered by his “It’s hard work, but we all look forward Host Hotel exemplary progeny in seven crops. His to it,” said Werstler. “Horsemen enjoy the Hyatt Place San Antonio offspring, including AQHA world champion venue and hospitality. We continue to see $93 Special TQHA Sale rate Cold Cash 123 and multiple-graded stakes great racing champions emerge from our 210-930-2333 winners, Acorn, Send Me a Candy Tree and sale.” Coors Select, have earned over $9.1 million. TQHA officials choose not to let the Azoom was bred in Texas by Jerry Windham and purchased numbers tell the entire story. Bordering states of Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma each have racinos that have added signifi- at the 2003 TQHA Yearling Sale for $62,000 by Enrique Carrion of Veracruz, Mexico. He began his career in Mexico, winning four cant boosts in purses as well as breeder incentives. Each of the states have yearling sales with huge catalogs. The 2013 Heritage races in Mexico City before Carrion sent him to trainer Frank Place September Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City sold 659 head; Cavazos at Sam Houston Race Park. With regular rider, Rodrigo the 37th annual Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders’ Association Vallejo, Azoom set a new track record of :19.574 for the distance (LQHBA) Yearling Sale last August featured 523 yearlings and the of 400-yards, and won both the $283,422 TQHA Sale Futurity three-day Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale over Labor Day weekend (RG1) and the $350,000 Sam Houston Futurity (Grade 1). He also in New Mexico listed 450 Quarter Horses. captured the Texas Classic Futurity (Grade 1) and retired to stud Texas continues to face an uphill battle with no legislative with record of 11 wins from 14 starts and earnings of $738,136. passage on expanded gaming, which have amply enhanced stateWhile Oak Tree Special and Azoom were champions of a very breed programs and purses. But loyal horsemen and consignors, high caliber, many other noted Quarter Horse champions have such as Jorge Haddad, are enthusiastic about the TQHA event. passed through the sale ring of the TQHA Yearling Sale. “It’s always been a great sale,” states Haddad, who will bring In 2007, Texas horseman Jim D. Pitts attended the TQHA 17 yearlings this year. “It’s a very nice venue and air conditioned, Yearling Sale with his wife, Dena. She spotted Jodys Money Pop, a which is good for both the horses and people. With some of the sorrel colt sired by Jody O Toole bred by Gary Kurz. other sales, the prices are pretty high; at the TQHA Yearling Sale, “My wife found him and told me we’d better buy him, so we you can buy a good horse for a reasonable fee.” did,” Pitts, who signed the sales ticket for $18,000. One year later, Jodys Money Pop rewarded the couple handYearlings eligible for the TQHA Sale Futurity somely, surging to the wire of the $418,984 TQHA Sale Futurity. The Texas-bred earned more than $300,000 in his career, winning In 1998 the TQHA and Sam Houston Race Park teamed up to six of his 15 starts, host the first annual TQHA Yearling Sale. The first sale showcased and finishing third 108 yearlings, with each eligible to return one year later to comin the 2009 Bank of pete in trials for the TQHA Sale Futurity. The ten finalists in the inaugural TQHA Sale Futurity competed for a purse of $79,031. America Challenge Teddy Abrams, Jr.’s War Colors, trained by the late Steve VanBebChampionship ber took the title. (Grade 1). As the sale grew in popularity, it was expanded to a two-day Trainer Cindi format in 2007, and the purse for the TQHA Sale Futurity grew as Keeton has won well. Trials for the 2014 edition of the stakes will be contested on the last two finals

At right, Oak Tree Special and rider J. R, Ramirez win the 2002 TQHA Sale Futurity. Azoom, (far right) with Rodrigo Vallejo up, winning the 2004 TQHA Sale Futurity. Photos by Coady Photography 8 SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

Jamaica Me Money goes on the block at a recent TQHA Yearling Sale at Retama Park. Photo by Coady Photography

Looking for the next superstar

of the TQHA Sale Futurity, which are now run at Retama Park in Selma, Texas. In 2012, she saddled Cash Flow Cartel, who was purchased for $23,000 by owners R. Burnett and D. and J. Schoenhofer. Cash Flow Cartel earned $178,000 for the TQHA Sale Futurity victory; nearly eight times his purchase price at the sale. Won To Watch, a daughter of Tres Seis, was a $20,000 purchase at the 2012 TQHA Yearling Sale by Alberto and Ashley Vera. She provided an nearly ten-fold return on their investment with her impressive win in the 2012 TQHA Sale Futurity. The talented filly’s earnings now stand at $265,494. “The owners picked her out at the sale,” said Keeton. “We knew right from the start she was a very good filly; she did everything right.”

Progeny of established and new stallions Some of the most respected Quarter Horse breeders and owners live in Texas and continue to support the TQHA Yearling Sale. AQHA Champion breeder Bobby D. Cox has 12 yearlings listed in the sale catalog, with progeny from Mr Jess Perry, Dominyun, Ivory James and Stoli represented. Three fillies by Bodacious Dash, winner of the 2010 Texas Classic Futurity (Grade 1), have been consigned by Johnny Trotter and 6666 Ranch. Jimmy Eller is general manager of Granada Farms in Wheelock, Texas. He has been one of the biggest consignors in the TQHA Sale’s history, and will send 50 yearlings to the 2014 sale. Stallions standing at Granada Farms include Azoom, Dealagame and Red Oak Special. Jorge Haddad, who operates a breeding farm in Seguin, Texas, will be well-represented in this year’s sale with offspring of 2009 Heritage Place Futurity winner, Ragazzo as well as several first-crop fillies from grade 1 champion, The Louisiana Cartel.

Anastacio Cavazos, Jr., known as “Tacho” is a horsemen who resides in Mission, Texas. His uncle, Frank Cavazos, was the trainer of the aforementioned 2-year-old sensation, Azoom. “The numbers at the TQHA Yearling Sale are smaller, but there is always a Grade 1 winner that comes out of the sale,” said Cavazos. He will be in San Antonio on behalf of several owners, who will give him a price range and trust him to make some good selections. “All these horses are well-bred,” explained Cavazos. “I look for several things: conformation, a good eye and athleticism. Even though they are small as yearlings, the way they travel is important.” “Sometimes you really feel strongly about a prospect,” he added. “We are all looking for the next superstar.” Currently, the superstar of the Quarter Horse world is Texasbred Kiss My Hocks, a Tempting Dash colt bred by Tyler Graham and John Mayers. While he was not sold at the TQHA Yearling Sale, he has been a shining star with wins in both the Sam Houston Futurity (Grade 2) and Ruidoso Futurity (Grade 1) for trainer Toby Keeton. Kiss My Hocks is the number #1 ranked 2-year-old in the AQHA/Horseplayernow.com National Top 10 Poll. Sale organizers and Texas horsemen look forward to July 25-26 to view the next crop of Quarter Horse champions. The TQHA Sale may be smaller in quantity, but never lacking in quality. Both Toby and Cindi Keeton will attend the sale and have confidence that the yearlings selected by their owners will show their mettle on the racetrack in 2015. “We have had really good success at the TQHA Yearling Sale,” acknowledges Cindi. “Won to Watch is a perfect example of the potential we’ve seen. She showed her class in both Texas and Oklahoma. We know this year’s sale will produce some nice runners.” Martha Claussen is an award-winning staff writer for SureBet Racing News. She served as publicity director at Sam Houston Race Park for ten years and continues to be active in writing, fan education and Quarter Horse racing publicity in Texas, Louisiana and other regions in North America.

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SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 9

JOCKEY PROFILE

Jockey life:

The crucial factor this profession provides to the sport of horseracing

By Mike Curran

UIDOSO DOWNS, N.M. — Even with his race gear on or dressed in civilian clothes, you can easily identify this 22-year-old jockey from many yards away. That ever-present, broad smile is the first thing you notice. When he shakes your hand he looks you in the eyes and you know immediately this young man is respectful, attentive and sociable. He’s the kind of person you can readily root for. Talk to him if you get the chance and you will agree. Rodriguez has picked a tough profession to excel in, but then again, what occupation in this day and age isn’t hard to earn esteem and recognition? But unlike some other professions, jockeys risk serious injury every time they mount a racehorse. In quiet moments, when not plying their trade, that factor must surely race through their minds before they quickly hide it away in some rarely ventured corner of their psyche.

Hazard pay

Rodriguez is a case in point: A year ago he went down with a horse and broke his left collarbone, which required surgery. It was two weeks before he could ride again. Call it the hazards of the trade. “When a horse goes down there’s not much you can do,” Rodriguez said. “It’s part of the business. When another jockey goes down you worry about them. In a race we’re competitive

Above, jockey Luis Rodriguez – ranked eighth in leading Thoroughbred purses – shows his ever-present smile. Above right, El Paso-born race rider Rodriguez, now fully recovered from last year’s broken left collarbone, heads out for another race. Photos courtesy of Mike Curran

adversaries but once the race is over we’re like family. Jockeys donate generously to an injured jockey.” Born in El Paso, this future race rider found his love of horses when he was 15 years old while working with his uncle, groom Vin Ventura. “I didn’t know much about horses, racing and racetracks, but my uncle had me watch horses gallop at Sunland Park,” Rodriguez explained. “At first I thought it looked easy. Shortly afterward, I found that thought to be wrong. Initially, my uncle put me on a horse every morning and would personally lead the horse around for me to get accustomed to.” Rodriguez then started working for trainer Roy Marcom as a groom while he was still in high school. His job later included galloping horses early in the mornings and then he would

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Young Luis Rodriguez battles for respect and attempts to earn his place as a race rider attend high school. Rodriguez galloped for a year and a half and then began to breeze the equine athletes to develop two strong legs.

Starting young

At the age of 17 this budding race rider applied for his jockey license, which required the signatures of his aunt and uncle. Completion of a valid jockey license required the OK (sign off) of a jockey (Ken Tohill) and a starter from the starting gate. “In your first 50 races you are an apprentice and other veteran jockeys will point out your mistakes,” Rodriguez said. “And they will constantly remind you of them.” As Rodriguez was turning 18, he earned his first win at Sunland Park for trainer Don Young aboard Your Guardian Angel. “I was nervous before the race,” Rodriguez recounted. “But when the gates opened I relaxed and focused on the job at hand. At the end of the race I was tired – my muscles worked hard and were sore, especially in the backs of my lower legs.” To date, Rodriguez has raced at Sunland Park, Ruidoso

Downs Race Track, Zia Park and Farmington – on Thoroughbreds only. This year he will also include the Downs at Albuquerque. “Jockeys work year-round galloping, breezing and racing,” Rodriguez said. “You have to stay fit. You can’t take a month or two off because a trainer will find another jockey.” As of this writing, Rodriguez ranks eighth at the Ruidoso Downs meet in the Thoroughbred category. He has 32 starts and has collected three first place finishes, four seconds, five thirds and has earned $28,615 in purses. “I’m doing OK this season but I hope it gets better,” Rodriguez said. “My main goal this season is to win a stakes race. In Thoroughbred racing you don’t want to win the race on the backside, you want to save it all for the stretch.” If he had it all to do it over again would he pick the jockey profession? “I would do it all again – for sure,” Rodriguez quickly answered. “I love the horses, the speed and the feeling of being one with myself and the horse.” Mike Curran has spent the past seven years as sports editor for the Ruidoso News. A Pittsburgh native, Curran moved to Ruidoso having never seen a horse race, yet has become an enthusiastic supporter and writer about the Sport of Kings. The sometime political writer likes nothing more than spending time on the backside of a track, digging up stories that might pass others by. Email: se7en@beyondbb.com.

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SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 11

2014

Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame induction

By Eugene Heathman

he Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame, home to building racing history one horse, one trainer and one jockey at a time is dedicated to educating the public about horseracing and preserving racing’s history. It features a collection of very rare pieces of racing memorabilia located

At top, the Hall of Fame Class of 2014, inducted June 28: (l-r) Carl Draper; Larry and Teresa Teague, owners of Rocky Gulch; R.C. “Punch” and Suzanne Jones; Cliff Lambert. Above, ex-jockey and legendary trainer Cliff Lambert looks at the newest display case in the Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame. Photos by Todd Fuqua 12 SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack. Offering up a superb collection of racing memorabilia and racing history lives throughout the collection, The Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame inductees are people and horses who have had a profound impact on their sport. Museum Curator Ty Wyant said, “Even non-racing folks who appreciate history are amazed at the interactive kiosks that present some of the greatest races and stories in racing history as well as information on each of the members of the hall of fame.” Every year only one owner/breeder, one trainer, one jockey and one horse are enshrined. Induction ceremonies are held at the track in late June. “It is a very select group, indeed and there are very few museums like this in the country, especially at race tracks,” said Wyant. This year’s inductees are Carl Draper, million-dollar winner Rocky Gulch (represented by owners Larry and Teresa Teague), R.C. “Punch” and Suzanne Jones and Cliff Lambert. Eugene Heathman is a native of New Mexico, and in 2002 embarked on a real estate career in West Texas and New Mexico. Heathman developed a start-up newspaper and website into Lincoln County’s No. 1 award winner as managing editor for the Ruidoso Free Press. He maintains a strong broadcast and online news and entertainment territory, encompassing all of south-central and southeastern New Mexico as well as reaching into parts of West Texas.

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From the top, Cliff Lambert, left, and R.C. “Punch” Jones talk old times in the Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame, June 27; Carl Draper and family with Ruidoso Downs Race Track owner R.D. Hubbard; R.C. “Punch” and Suzanne Jones and family with Hubbard; Cliff Lambert and family with Hubbard; and above, The Teague family with Hubbard. Photos by Todd Fuqua SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 13

It’s in the blood

By Ty Wyant

A horse of a lifetime

eople close to Kiss My Hocks call him: “the horse of a lifetime,” “a freak” and “the fastest horse I’ve seen.” They have also nicknamed him “Rooster” and, boy, has he strutted in his four wins from four starts. Conda Maze and Tyler Graham’s Kiss My Hocks’ impressive win in the Grade 1, $700,000 Ruidoso Futurity virtually ensures that he is the leader heading into halftime in the race for champion two-year-old. He has a Grade 1 win (Ruidoso Futurity), a Grade 2 win ($546,000 Sam Houston Futurity), set a Sam Houston Race Park 330-yard track record in his first start and raced to the fastest-qualifying time (17.281 for 350 yards) from the first of two days of Ruidoso Futurity trials. The colt’s connections’ accolades are superlative. He has certainly done everything that could be asked of a horse less than 28 months old. Kiss My Hocks leads the way for one of the sport’s hot young sires, Tempting Dash, and is out of a young mare, nine-year-old Romancing Mary, who is stakes-placed at the Grade 1 level. Tempting Dash burst upon the two-year-old scene in the fall of 2009 at Lone Star Park. He won the Grade 1, $445,185 Dash For Cash Futurity in a track record 19.379 for 400 yards and then won the Grade 1, $1.1 million Texas Classic Futurity with a new track record of 19.205. He was named champion two-year-old colt on earnings of $673,970. He never raced beyond his freshman season and sold for a record $1.7 million at the 2013 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale while diagnosed with piroplasmosis. Tempting Dash, technically, is a second-year sire. He has six 2011 foals with four starters and three winners. As of this writing, Tempting Dash is the sire of the two leading-money-earning 2-year-olds. Kiss My Hocks has earned $524,980 and Grade 1, $1 million Heritage Place Futurity winner Lovethewayyoulie has earned $450,479. Tempting Dash is from the strongest sire line in quarter horse racing. His sire First Down Dash is the all-time leading sire of money earners ($82 million) and First Down Dash’s sire Dash For Cash is the fourth-leading sire of money earners (nearly $40 million) from a period of lower purses. World champion First Down Dash is a brother to broodmare of the year First Prize Dash. A Tempting Chick, the dam of Tempting Dash, was a minor stakes winner and then named 2009 broodmare of the year. The Chicks Beduino daughter is also the dam of three-time Grade 1 winner and Champion of Champions runner-up A Tempting Dash, an earner of $541,959. When a mare – like Romancing Mary – has produced a major stakes force like Kiss My Hocks before she is 10-year-olds then she, obviously, becomes very valuable and marketable. While winning only four races in two years of competition, Romancing Mary showed class. She was second in the Sam Houston Futurity and picked up thirds in the Texas Classic Derby, Longhorn Futurity and Manor Downs Derby. Romancing Mary is by Tres Seis, the sire of all-time leading money earner Ochoa and the maternal grandsire of 2013 All American Futurity favorite and Sam Houston Futurity winner 14 SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

Jockey Cody Jensen rides Kiss My Hocks to victory in the Ruidoso Futurity, June 8, at Ruidoso Downs Race Track. Below, Tyler Graham and Conda Maze. Photos by Todd Fuqua

Especially Tres. The other stakes performer from the seven starters produced by Romancing Mary is Firecracker Futurity finalist My Famous Romance. Romancing Mary is out of two-time Grade 1 finalist Romancin Ashley, the dam of 2014 Laico Bird Stakes third-place finisher Awesome Ashley. Kiss My Hocks’ line breeding is a flashback to the halcyon days of the Phillips Ranch in Frisco, Texas when they stood Dash For Cash, Rocket Wrangler and Streakin Six. First Down Dash sold at the Phillips Ranch Sale to the Vessels Stallion Farm when it was under Millie Vessels’ stewardship. Kiss My Hocks is bred 3S x 4D to Dash For Cash, 4S x 5D to Rocket Wrangler, 4S x 5D to Find A Buyer (tb) and 5S x 4D x 5D to Streakin Six. He also shows rare 5S x 5D line breeding to Kansas Futurity winner Chick’s Deck, a beautifully balanced and underrated horse who died at a young age. Chick’s Deck’s daughter A Classy Chick produced the fifth all-time leading sire of money earners Chicks Beduino and the Chick’s Deck daughter Chickarun produced champion Sixy Chick and three-time stakes winner Sixarun, the sire of Tres Seis. Rooster is crowing at halftime. It looks like he’ll be lining up for his second half kickoff in the trials to the Grade 1, $900,000 Rainbow Futurity on July 3-4. Ty Wyant has been covering racing since 1976. He is currently the media relations director for Ruidoso Downs and Zia Park, and the curator of the Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame.

Los Alamitos Race Course, Cypress, CA Melton reaches training milestone

Trainer Lin Melton scored the 1,500th Quarter Horse victory of his career and just two races later he added his 1,501st lifetime victory Sunday at Los Alamitos Race Course. One of the nation’s leading Quarter Horse trainers for years, Melton reached the 1,500-win milestone after Elmont Bundy’s 3-year-old gelding Bf Outlandishversion won the 7th race by a length with jockey Oscar Peinado in the irons. Bred by Birrell Farms, the Utah-bred Bf Outlandishversion covered the 330 yards in 16.898 seconds. His next victory came with Lisa Anderson’s 2-yearold gelding Jumpn Jehoshaphat in the ninth and final race on the card. Melton had been patiently waiting for this victory since winning race number 1,499 in Utah in late April. Melton was excited to reach the exclusive club. “I believe there are only about a dozen trainers to have won 1,500 Quarter Horse races,” he said while explaining what it was like to win 1,500 sprints. “Winning the first 100 races was very difficult, the next 1,300 were easy, but the last 100 were very hard. I’ve had many years with a lot of wins and one season I had over 100 wins and was the second leading trainer in the nation only behind Blane Schvaneveldt. This is a special victory. It means a

lot. I had to wait a while after 1,499, but I am glad my wait is over.” Melton is one of top conditioners in the history of the Northwest region. Los Alamitos has been his home base in recent years and his local stables currently includes the stakes winner Dynasty Red and the multiple stakes finalist Smithy. Since beginning his career in 1973, Melton’s runners have earned nearly $6 million. Stakes winners he has trained include Grade 1 winners Juno Dat Honor and Famous Chapelle, and Grade 2 winners Shes A Royal Flirt, Mr Deep Pockets, Royal Peepers and Famous Alibis. He also trained the multiple Grade 1 finalist and Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity runner-up Meteoric. Jumpn Jehoshaphat is eligible to compete in this year’s trials to the PCQHRA Breeders Futurity.

At top, BF Outlandishversion gives trainer Lin Melton Quarter Horse win 1,500 at Los Alamitos on June 1; above, Melton, left, celebrates with rider Oscar Peinado. Photo courtesy of Los Alamitos Race Course

ness winner and jockey Victor Espinoza. Owned by Perry Martin and Steve Coburn and trained by Art Sherman, California Chrome has been stabled at Los Alamitos since Summer Thoroughbred early this year. Festival begins July 3 Post time for opening The first 10,000 fans – day and the remainder of with paid admission – at Los the eight-day season, which Alamitos July 3, opening day culminates July 13, is 2 p.m. of the Summer Thoroughbred All gates, including the Festival, will receive a Califor- grandstand, Vessels Club and nia Chrome T-shirt. Clubhouse, will open at 9:30 The giveaway item feaa.m. tures a likeness of the 2014 The feature attraction Kentucky Derby and PreakJuly 3 is the inaugural running

of the $100,000-guaranteed Bertrando, the first of seven stakes events during the meet. Scheduled for one mile, the Bertrando, honoring the California bred who earned $3,185,610 while winning nine of 24, is part of the Golden State series. It is restricted to 3-year-olds & up either bred or sired in California. The highlight of the Summer Thoroughbred Festival is the Grade II, $500,000-guaranteed Los Alamitos Derby, which will be run Saturday, SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 15

July 5. Known as the Swaps Stakes while offered at Hollywood Park (1974-2013), the Derby is for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles. Possible participants include the undefeated Shared Belief, who won the Grade I CashCall Futurity last December at Hollywood Park, Robert B. Lewis winner Candy Boy, Sunland Derby hero Chitu and Top Fortitude, runner-up behind Bayern in the Woody Stephens June 7 at Belmont Park. Entries for the Bertrando will be taken June 30 while entries for the Los Alamitos Derby will be taken July 2.

Los Alamitos picks up Fairplex race dates

During its monthly meeting Thursday at Los Alamitos, the California Horse Racing Board unanimously approved an agreement to transfer the upcoming race Barretts Sales and Racing meet at Fairplex Park to Los Alamitos. Legislation permitting the transfer from Los Angeles to Orange County has already passed both the state Assembly and Senate and, as of Thursday morning, was awaiting the signature of Gov. Jerry Brown. The 11-day meet will begin Friday, Sept. 5 and continue through Sunday, Sept. 21. There will be no live racing Wednesday, Sept. 10 and Wednesday, Sept. 17. This addition means Los Alamitos will play host to three thoroughbred meets in 2014. The Summer Festival kicks off Thursday, July 3 and concludes Sunday, July 13 while the Winter season will commence Thursday, Dec. 4 and wrap Sunday, Dec. 21. “We’re very excited for the opportunity,’’ said Brad McKinzie, general man-

16 SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

ager of the Los Alamitos Thoroughbred Racing Association. “We believe that the transfer of these dates is a positive move for the California horse racing industry.’’

Brinson named starter at Los Alamitos

Gary Brinson, who was the head starter at Del Mar and Betfair Hollywood Park and has worked on gate crews for over 40 years, has been named head starter for the current Quarter Horse night meet at Los Alamitos Race Course effective on Friday, June 13. The new appointment follows the decision by John Baker to resign as the starter at Los Alamitos on Tuesday afternoon. Baker had been the man with his hand on the button of the starting gate here since September of 2005. “We’re grateful to John for nine years of service as the starter,” said Ed Allred, the owner of Los Alamitos. Jay Slender will be the starter at Los Alamitos during the daytime Thoroughbred meeting that opens Thursday, July 3. Brinson will concentrate on the night races during this time. Brinson has a wealth of experience manning the starting gate. He had been the head starter at Del Mar since 1997 and also served in that capacity at Hollywood Park. The late Marje Everett hired him for that job in 1984. Brinson has started horses at Los Alamitos in the past, and is known for his innovative decision of moving to the ground level to start races. Other starters around the country have since followed his lead. A lifelong horseman, Brinson began walking hots and mucking stalls at a young age for his father, the late trainer Ross Brinson. Gary and his older brother, Clay, also rode as jockeys and were exercise riders. Clay trained Thorough-

Gary Brinson, named head starter at Los Alamitos Race Course. Photo courtesy of Los Alamitos Race Course

breds at Los Alamitos for many years, winning 67 races with the breed here. Ross Brinson won the Hollywood Gold Cup in 1947 with Cover Up and trained in California for more than 65 years.

Arapahoe Park, Aurora, CO Arapahoe Park launches medication-free incentive

Arapahoe Park will reward horsemen who do not administer race-day medication to their horses with the creation of the Race-Day Medication-Free Incentive. The racecourse introduced the incentive program for all races beginning June 27. Trainers who win a race with a horse void of any race-day medication will receive a $1,000 bonus per victory to be paid from a special fund created by Arapahoe Park. Race-Day Medication-Free Incentive

is being launched to encourage 2014 Delta Downs Jackpot Day Stakes Races trainers to go beyond the letter of the law that permits only $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot (Grade 3) $1 million Delta Downs Princess (Grade 3) $400,000 Lasix, phenylbutazone (“bute”), Delta Mile $250,000 flunixin, and ketoprofen on race Treasure Chest $200,000 day in Colorado. Louisiana Legacy (La-bred) $150,000 “The future of racing is goLouisiana Jewel (La-bred) $150,000 ing to be race-day medicationSam’s Town $75,000 free, and we at Arapahoe Park Orleans $75,000 want to be ahead of the curve,” said Bruce Seymore, Executive the Treasure Chest will now be worth Director of Mile High Racing $200,000, which is an increase from and Entertainment, the parent company of Arapahoe Park. “We in Colorado $150,000 last year. The Delta Downs Princess (Grade 3) will see a purse reducalready have one of the strictest testing tion from $500,000 to $400,000. procedures in the country. This new The four other stakes races that Race-Day Medication-Free Incentive make up Jackpot Day will not undergo allows us to continue to improve our any change in purse amounts. They standards.” include the $150,000 Louisiana Legacy, Trainers must be stabled at Arapathe $150,000 Louisiana Jewel, the hoe Park for the entire meet to be $75,000 Sam’s Town and the $75,000 eligible for the bonuses. The bonuses will Orleans. be paid out at the end of the season that “Jackpot Day has developed into one concludes Aug. 17. of the most anticipated race days in the country each year,” said Delta Downs Vice President and General Manager Steve Kuypers. “The new purse structure will make the day even better as it should attract even more top quality horses from throughout the country and provide race fans with highly competitive fields and Delta Downs, tremendous wagering opportunities.” Vinton, LA

Delta Downs changes Jackpot Day purse structure

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel has announced changes to its annual Jackpot Day program that will take place for the 12th time Nov. 22. The track has raised the purse amounts on two of its eight stakes races and lowered the purse on one of them in order to offer an even more attractive card for horsemen and horseplayers alike. The track’s signature race, the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot (Grade 3), will not see any change. It will continue to offer the second highest purse in the country for 2-year-olds. Over the last two years the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot has also served a role as part of the ‘Road to the Kentucky Derby’ series which awards qualifying points to the top four finishes of the race. The Delta Mile and the Treasure Chest Stakes will each see increases. The Delta Mile purse will be raised to $250,000 from its previous $150,000 and SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 17

Last year’s Jackpot Day program produced an all-time record handle of $5,044,286, which was a 16 percent increase year over year. The Jackpot Day Pick 4, which was anchored by the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot race, produced a record handle of $254,495 in 2013.

Justin Evans, the third leading trainer in North America, successfully defended his crown as leading trainer.

Remington Park, Oklahoma City, OK Positive run continues at Remington Park

Continuing a trend that began in 2013, Remington Park’s racing product SunRay Park, Farmington, NM remains well-received by horseplayers. The recently completed 2014 American SunRay Park up 46 percent Quarter Horse & Mixed-breed Season The 2014 SunRay Park and Casino finished higher in total pari-mutuel live racing season recorded one of its handle, led by strong recognition in the most successful meets ever with record export market. gains in handle. The 50-date season experienced a The 39-day stand which concluded growth of 4.7 percent in total handle on on Sunday in Farmington, New Mexico Remington Park action compared to the yielded a staggering gain of 46 percent same season a year ago. Fans wagered in total handle. Momentum was dynam- $833,631 more this season than they did ic early on in the season, and the racing in 2013. product attracted a national simulcast “Remington Park is pleased that the appeal. Total handle was nearly $5.5 mil- handle on our racing product continues lion, up nearly $2 million from a similar to increase,” said Matt Vance, vicecampaign in 2013. president of racing and wagering. “The Even on-track numbers showed an presentation, featuring the top horses increase of over 8 percent from last year. and horsemen in the sport of Quarter SunRay Park off-track handle surged Horse, Paint and Appaloosa racing, aids upward nearly 52 percent from the cor- our business model tremendously. We responding 39-day meet last season. are appreciative of the support from all Director of Racing Operations Lonof our fans and horseplayers.” nie Barber said, “We were very pleased Positive relationships with racing with the response to our all-Thoroughpartners in other jurisdictions and the bred Tuesday programs with two guarTVG horse racing television presence for anteed pick 4 pools. Those days readily Remington Park helped boost the track’s attracted out of state dollars. We also export handle 6.7 percent, up $904,759, posted gains with our Freaky Fast Friover last year’s totals. days cards which showcased all Quarter Remington Park was able to run Horse cards. I’m particularly proud of the a full schedule of racing during the efforts of Racing Secretary Jim Collins Quarter Horse season with no programs and our new Simulcast Coordinator and shortened or lost due to severe weather. Mutuels Manager Steve Fedunak.” A total of 563 races were conducted in SunRay Park’s percentage increases 2014, 14 more than a year ago. should rank near the top of the nation’s Live horse racing is on hiatus at tracks in 2014. The energetic northwest Remington Park until the 67-date ThorNew Mexico based track traditionally oughbred Season begins on Aug. 15, runs from mid-April through late June. running through Dec. 14.

www.SureBetRacingNews.com 18 SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

RACE RECAPS - QUARTER HORSE Photo credits: ARIZONA: Turf Paradise: Coady Photography ARKANSAS: Oaklawn Park: Coady Photography CALIFORNIA: Del Mar: © Benoit Photo Golden Gate Fields: Vassar Photography Los Alamitos Race Course: Scott Martinez Santa Anita Race Park: © Benoit Photo COLORADO: Arapahoe Park: Coady Photography FLORIDA: Hialeah Park: Coady Photography IOWA: Prairie Meadows Racetrack: Jack Coady/ Coady Photography LOUISIANA: Delta Downs: Nicole Walker/Coady Photography Evangeline Downs Racetrack: Courtesy of Evangeline Downs Fair Grounds: Hodges Photography Louisiana Downs: Natalie Glyshaw/ Hodges Photography MINNESOTA: Canterbury Park: Coady Photography NEW MEXICO: Ruidoso Downs Race Track: Ty Wyant/ Roberta Harris Sunland Park: Coady Photography SunRay Park: Coady Photography The Downs at Albuquerque: Coady Photography Zia Park: Coady Photography OKLAHOMA: Remington Park: Dustin Orona Photography Will Rogers Downs: Courtesy of Will Rogers Downs OREGON: Portland Meadows: Courtesy of Portland Meadows TEXAS: Lone Star Park: Dustin Orona Photography Retama Park: Courtesy of Retama Park Sam Houston Race Park: Coady Photography WASHINGTON: Emerald Downs: Courtesy of Emerald Downs

Far Niente

CALIFORNIA

Saul Ramirez piloted the son of FDD Dynasty, who last year won the Grade 1 Golden State Derby. Bred by Bielau Oaks, Far Niente has won eight of 13 career starts. “Saul did a great job riding the horse. We knew that the start was the key and Los Alamitos Race Course, then the horse would do the rest by himself. Saul is one of the best in the game. Cypress, CA He’s a money rider, very consistent, and June 15 one of the best in the game. We needed Far Niente fastest to Vessels a rider for this horse and we felt that Saul Maturity would fit him perfectly.” Tom Atwood and Vessels Stallion Far Niente covered the distance in Farms’ Far Niente made a triumphant 19.684 seconds and won his trial by ¾ return to the track while World Champion lengths over Creole Williams. Last To Fire finished second in his seaTrained by Jaime Gomez for Howard son debut to Howard Nichols’ Jess Being Nichols, Jess Being Valiant was also returnValiant during the trials to the Grade 1 ing to the races for the firs t since being $163,300 Vessels Maturity June 15 at Los scratched out of the Los Alamitos Winter Alamitos. Championship Feb. 16. Three trials were contested at 400 “He had pneumonia,” Gomez said. yards with the horses with the 10 fastest “We had to get him healthy and then we times advancing to the Grade 1 final to turned him out for a break. Once he got be held on Sunday, July 6. The winner of healthy, we had him swimming at Double the Vessels Maturity final will join Nellie Bar S Ranch. Double Bar S does a great job Delaney and Bon Accord in this year’s field with the horses. I’m happy to get this win to the $750,000 Champion of Champions. for Howard. It couldn’t happen to a better The top two qualifying time went to man.” trial winners Far Niente and Jess Being Val“I thought it was a strong field of iant. Trained by Jose Hernandez, Far Niente horses,” Nichols said. “I didn’t know if we posted the fastest time while making his could hold off (the other horses). We had first start since a fourth place finish in the just enough room to win.” PCQHA Breeders Derby Oct. 4. Hernandez Nichols now has a couple of fun was confident that the long layoff would weeks to look forward to at Los Alamitos. be to Far Niente’s liking. Next weekend, Nichols will be joined by “He runs best when he’s fresh,” Herhis wife, Laurie, plus family members and nandez said. “He did that last year and that friends at Los Alamitos, many of which was our game plan for this race and so far, will be traveling from Arizona and visiting the Orange County oval for the first time. so good.” SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 19

Jess Being Valiant

His entourage will also have the opportunity to cheer for Nichols’ Vivid in the Ed Burke Memorial Juvenile Stakes. Nichols will then await the July 6 Vessels final with the hope that Jess Being Valiant can land a berth to the Champion of Champions. With Raul Valenzuela aboard, Jess Being Valiant covered the distance in 19.736. Owned by Jesus Avila and Jesus Cuevas, Last To Fire will be looking for a return to the Champion of Champions in order to defend his title after winning the prestigious quarter mile race in dominant fashion last season. The son of Walk Thru Fire was making his first outing since winning last year’s Champion of Champions Dec. 14. Ridden by Eduardo Nicasio for trainer Sergio Fiscal, Last To Fire broke a step behind Jess

Toshi Yoshi

Being Valiant, but he managed to catch Melissa Miller’s stakes winner Jess Featureme Quick to finish second in the opening trial of the night. “He did not break like he is capable of doing, but that’s understandable because he had not raced in a long time,” Nicasio said. “He got tired, but this was his first race of the season.” “Eduardo said that the horse was tired early on, but then he caught his breath and was able to finish strongly,” said Jesus Avila’s son, Jose. “I was feeling nervous coming into this race because he had a fantastic 2013. We were anxious to see how he would come back. This was a tough first race, but we’ll see how he does in the final. (Horseshoer) David Vargas has done a great job taking care of Last To Fire’s feet. He’s

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Lincoln County New Mexico’s sports authority

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feeling good and three weeks between the trials and the final will really help him.” In addition to the Champion of Champions, Last To Fire won the Vessels Maturity and the Go Man Go Handicap last year. This was his first loss in five starts and first since running fourth in last year’s Los Alamitos Winter Championship. Bred by the Estate of Spencer Childers, Last To Fire posted the third fastest qualifying time of 19.783. Hector A. Hernandez’s Tres Coronas Mas won the third and final trial by a neck on the way to posting the fifth fastest qualifying time of 19.803. The son of Tres Seis was second to multiple stakes winner Significant Heart at the start before rallying under jockey Cruz Mendez to win by a neck over Lila Kessinger’s strong finisher Seperate Interest. “When I saw the break, I thought it was over for us,” Hernandez said. “But then he exploded. The final will be a different race, but I’m in it and we have a chance. If he can come back strong then I think we have a chance.” Hernandez purchased Tres Coronas Mas privately from the stock of Vessels Stallion Farm. He campaigned the horse to a seventh place finish in the Los

Alamitos Winter Championship. “He was a good buy and we’ve had luck with him,” Hernandez said. “I started owning horses about 10 years ago. We started with some claimers. We started small, but we’ve built from there. It’s a thrill to have Tres Coronas Mas in the Vessels final.” Jose Flores saddled the Vessels-bred runner. The complete list of qualifiers is as follows: Far Niente (19.684 ), Jess Being Valiant (19.736), Last To Fire (19.783), Jess Feature Me Quick (19.797), Tres Coronas Mas (19.803), Creole Williams (19.804), Seperate Interest (19.848), Once Over (19.851), Significant Heart (19.906), and Time For A Royal Dip (19.956).

COLORADO

Arapahoe Park, Aurora, CO June 15 Huge upset for Toshi Yoshi in Cherry Creek

Toshi Yoshi, the longest shot in the field of 10 at 28-1,

RACE RECAPS - QUARTER HORSE

Midori N Smoke

pulled off a big upset in the 330-yard, $75,000 Cherry Creek Futurity for 2-year-old Colorado-breds June 15 at Arapahoe Park. Third in his trial race on May 30 in his debut, the son of sire Pool out of dam Mairis Money Maker prevailed by a nose over Hayjay in the finals in a time of 16.757 seconds. Hayjay, the 6-5 favorite who was undefeated in three races heading into Sunday, had previously defeated Toshi Yoshi in the trials. Fastest qualifier One Corona At a Time was a further neck back in third. Toshi Yoshi was bred by owner Dana Yoshida-Orozco, is trained by Manuel Orozco, and was ridden to victory by Ramiro Garcia.

All hail Midori N Smoke

With hail falling the size of nickels, Midori N Smoke came through the storm to win the Lucille Rowe Derby June 14 at Arapahoe Park. With Tony Guymon aboard for trainer John Hammes and owner-breeder Margo Schares, the bay filly sired by Special Leader out of Smokin Corona captured the 350 yard, $55,000 stakes for Colorado-bred 3-year-olds by a half-length in 17.392 seconds. Midori N Smoke won her fourth race in six starts and completed a double of

I Am Intriguing

Arapahoe Park’s most prestigious Quarter Horse races for Colorado-breds after winning the 2013 Cherry Creek Futurity. Design Tobe a Winner, who headed into the Lucille Rowe trials off a win in the Animas Stakes at SunRay Park in New Mexico, finished second, and favored fastest qualifier Nifty Fury was third.

LOUISIANA

American Quarter Horse race in history, the $645,645 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1). Both events are restricted to horses bred in Louisiana. Although the Saturday program was originally scheduled to include 14 trials, the fifth race was declared a no-contest due to a starting gate malfunction. Jockey David Alvarez and trainer Martin Trejo enjoyed a tremendous weekend together as they teamed up with the fastest qualifier in each set of trials. On Friday night Ana

Lilia Alvidrez’s Allizoom went 400-yards under Alvarez in 19.460 seconds to post the fastest Delta Downs Derby time. The clocking equaled a speed index of 97. On Saturday night Alvarez guided Saul Dorado’s I Am Intriguing to victory going 350 yards in 17.431 seconds, which was an 86 speed index. The track condition on both nights of racing was listed as fast. The Lee Berwick Futurity and the Delta Downs Derby will each be part of Louisiana Showcase Night at Delta Downs

$645,645 Lee Berwick Futurity qualifiers

Delta Downs, Vinton, LA June 21 I Am Intriguing, Allizoom fastest at Delta Downs

Delta Downs hosted its final set of qualifying trials for the 2014 American Quarter Horse season last weekend. On June 20 there were four heats to determine the 10 finalists for this year’s $217,545 Delta Downs Derby (RG2) and on June 21 the entire program was devoted to setting the field for what will be the track’s richest

Horse, Trial # 1 I Am Intriguing, 3 2 Louisiana Blue Belle, 7 3 Game, 9 4 Hemps Jumpn Lajolla, 11 5 Icanonlyemagine, 14 6 Mudbug, 13 7 Louisiana Jambalaya, 14 8 Weetzy, 11 9 Embrujo Star, 13 10 Zihuatinejo, 4

Time 17.431 17.512 17.521 17.531 17.566 17.571 17.591 17.621 17.627 17.633

Jockey David Alvarez Eddi Martinez Orlando Baldillez Raul Ramirez, Jr. Patrick Watson Antonio Alberto Lucas Constantin Alfonson Lujan Jose Vega John Hamilton

$217,545 Delta Downs Derby qualifiers Horse, Trial # 1 Allizoom, 2 2 Jls Book of Psalms, 2 3 Ol Time Preacher Man, 1 4 Scooter Prize, 1 5 Bradys March Madness, 4 6 Im Jess Blue, 4 7 Kool Design, 2 8 Bbs Magic Patriot, 1 9 Sandra Sue Blue, 4 10 Kerrys Special Crown, 2

Time 19.460 19.569 19.580 19.605 19.642 19.644 19.681 19.734 19.751 19.763

Jockey David Alvarez Alfonso Lujan Danny Lavergne Raul Ramirez, Jr. Raul Ramirez, Jr. John Hamilton Danny Lavergne Gilbert Ortiz Eddi Martinez John Hamilton

Trainer Martin Trejo Jose Garcia Kelli Smith Miguel Rodriguez Kenneth Roberts, Sr. Justin Haug Justin Dehart Justin Haug Trey Ellis Ray Mayo Trainer Martin Trejo Darrel Soileau Kenneth Roberts, Sr. Martin Trejo Miguel Rodriguez Heath Taylor Kenneth Roberts, Sr. Heath Taylor Jose Garcia Heath Taylor

SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 21

Allizoom

Jethro Almighty

on Saturday, July 12. On that evening, which will also serve as closing night for the 2014 American Quarter Horse Season, the track will host a total of eight stakes races and award over $1.2 million in stakes purse money.

June 14 Jethro Almighty gets hard fought victory Christine Tavares’s Jethro Almighty was tenacious in victory on June 14 as he won the $40,000 Louisiana Purchase Stakes at Delta Downs under jockey Jose Vega. Jethro Almighty, who is trained by Justin Haug, fought hard to get the lead in the 350yard showdown. He rallied late to score the victory by just a neck on the finish line. Jf Patriot Games and Coppers fit were right on the winner’s heels all

the way down the track but had to settle for a dead-heat finish for second place. Jethro Almighty covered the distance over a fast track in 17.394 seconds, which earned him a speed index of 93. The victory by Jethro Almighty marked the fourth of his 16-race career. All four of his tallies have come at Delta Downs and he earned $24,000 for his effort on Saturday night. The son of Heza Fast Dash, out of the Mitey Easy Dash mare Dash in the Wind, has now bankrolled a total of $103,459 during his racing career. Jethro Almighty is a 4-yearold who was bred in Louisiana by Jo Baya Foreman.

Firecracker Derby trials

to victory by jockey Eleazar Hernandez and he is trained by Juan Saucedo. His effort marked the second win of his career from four trips to the starting gate. His last two outs have come at Delta June 13 Downs after finishing second in a trail for the Sam Houston Quic Carter quickest Futurity and running third in to Firecracker Delta Downs hosted seven the $564,000 final behind the undefeated superstar Kiss My qualifying trials for this year’s Hocks. $278,125 Firecracker Futurity Each of the trials at Delta (Grade 2) on June 13 under a full moon. When the dust had Downs were worth $7,500 in total purse money. Quic Carter settled it was Marina Nino’s earned $4,500 for his victory, Quic Carter who lived up to which raised his career bankhis name as he recorded the quickest of the 350-yard times, roll up to $74,335. The Firecracker Futurity 17.392 seconds. That time equaled a speed index of 93. runs Independence Day, FriQuic Carter was ridden day, July 4.

The fastest 3-year-old qualifier was Separatist Firstdown, who completed 400 yards in 19.567. Listed below are the 10 finalists for the Firecracker Derby, which will take place July 5.

In other action on Saturday night the track hosted two qualifying trials for this year’s $138,000 Firecracker Derby.

$138,000 Firecracker Derby Qualifiers • 3-year-olds • 400 yards • Final on Saturday, July 5 Horse, Trial # 1 Separatist Firstdown, 1 2 Jp in Hot Pursuit, 1 3 The Eagle Express, 2 4 Cash for Strikes, 1 5 Rmr Baby Doll, 2 6 Daytona B, 1 7 Bbs First Flame, 1 8 Copacoronas Glory, 1 9 Eyesa Jody Pop, 2 10 Smr Long Legs, 2

Time 19.567 19.661 19.799 19.811 19.854 19.902 19.918 19.986 20.129 20.198

22 SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

Jockey Martin Rubalcava John Hamilton Gilbert Ortiz Randy Edison David Alvarez Alfonso Lujan Jose Vega David Alvarez Eddi Martinez John Hamilton

Trainer Isidro Flores Heath Taylor Larry Kopycinski Noe R. Sanchez Bobby Martinez Jose Davila Trey Ellis Bobby Martinez Jose A. Garcia Heath Taylor

Quic Carter

RACE RECAPS - QUARTER HORSE

MCM Dashmaster

June 7 MCM Dashmaster pulls off upset

Worlds On High

ing by Heza Fast Dash, out of the Zuppardo’s Prince (TB) mare Oh Shez Zuper. He was bred in Louisiana by Mark Langford and is owned by Ponderosa Ranch of P C, Inc. and McM Farms LLC.

behind in second. Mr Ease Cartel was another two lengths back in third at the finished line of the 350-yards showdown. Delta Downs hosted a Roberts, who is vying for talent laden stakes race on this third consecutive trainJune 7 and the second longest ing title at Delta Downs and shot on the toteboard came his sixth overall in the Boyd away with the victory. It was Gaming era, sent out a total of June 6 McM Dashmaster who supfour winners on the Saturday Worlds On High wins in plied the fireworks as he took program. To make his training May 31 the $60,000 Vals Fortune (RG3) dramatic fashion Fdd Going Grand makes quadruple even more impresat odds of 30-1 under jockey Kris Locklear’s Worlds On sive he also sent out the top High earned a hard fought vic- off with Develop A Plan two finishers in the third race, David Alvarez. tory in the $50,000 Vigil Bond McM Dashmaster used Stakes Aint I Precious and MSM Jet Stakes June 6 at Delta Downs. an ultra-fast start from gate Delta Downs hosted the Black Effort. Worlds On High, who is to open up a clear lead in $25,000 Develop a Plan Stakes Fdd Going Grand’s victory trained by Vann Haywood, mid-stretch. Alvarez stayed on May 31 and it was leading was accomplished in a time broke fast under jockey Alfonso trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. busy throughout the ride of 17.319 seconds over a fast Lujan and battled with Downand guided his mount to a who saddled the top two finish- track. That clocking earned him town Forrest throughout the one-length score over Dashin ers. Fdd Going Grand won the a speed index of 96 with jockey 870-yard test before hitting Gage in the race restricted to race and stablemate Jetblack Jose Vega in the saddle. the finish line just a head in Louisiana-bred horses. T Boy P Gold Moment finished a neck Fdd Going Grand has now front of his tenacious rival who reporting home another halfsettled for second. Mr La Jollas length behind in third. Game was another five lengths The win by McM Dashbehind the top pair in third. master, who is conditioned Worlds On High covered by Bobby Martinez, was the the distance over a fast track in seventh of his 20-race career. 45.938 seconds. The clocking He earned $36,000 for the was good for a speed index of effort which raised his lifetime 93. bankroll to $421,272. The win by Worlds On High Fans who backed the unexmarked the 15th of his 54-race pected winner were rewarded at the windows with payoffs of career and he earned $30,000 $62 to win, $18.40 to place and for his effort. Worlds On High has now bankrolled $273,413. $11 to show. Dashin Gage reWorlds On High is an turned $4.60 to place and $3.60 8-year-old gelding by Game Pato show. T Boy P was worth triot, out of the On a High mare $6.20 to show. Sissyisonahigh. He was bred in Fdd Going Grand McM is a 6-year-old geldLouisiana by Don L. Ming. Sent to the post as the wagering favorite, Worlds On High returned $5.40 to win, $3.60 to place and $2.60 to show. Downtown Forrest was worth $7 to place and $3.80 to show. Mr La Jollas Game paid $4.20 to show.

SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 23

Bhr Guys Flash Me

won five races from 12 overall starts. Each of his wins has come at Delta Downs during eight local outings. His $15,000 first-place paycheck on Saturday raised his career bankroll to $158,760. Mercy Hinklin bred Fdd Going Grand in Texas. The 4-yearold sorrel colt by Fdd Dynasty out of the Corona Cartel mare Cash Cartel is owned by Mercy Hinklin’s Horse Farm, LLC.

Kool Wagon

ite returned $4.00 to win. Bhr Guys Flash Me has won three of four starts and has earned $19,565. “She’s been good from the start,” Johnson said.

June 15 Kool Wagon wins Zimmerman

Kool Wagon won the $22,700 Skip Zimmerman Stakes by 1/2 length over stablemate Specialscountrychick June 15 at Canterbury Park, covering the 350 yards in 17.776 seconds over a muddy track. Both horses are trained by Stacy Charette-Hill. Kool Wagon was ridden by Stormy Smith and is owned by his Canterbury Park, breeder Michael Pohl. Shakopee, MN “Stacy told me this horse June 29 could run,” Smith said. “We broke first and never looked Bhr Guys Flash Me back.” wins Stallion Breeders’ The 5-year-old by leading Futurity 2-year-old sire Pyc Paint Your Bhr Guys Flash Me, owned Wagon paid $9.80 to win. by Chad Pederson’s Broken “We have been fortunate Heart Ranch of Firesteel, S.D., to have so many nice individual won the $28,000 Minnesota by this sire, ” Charette-Hill said. Stallion Breeders’ Quarter Horse “He’s blessed us. I can’t tell you Futurity at Canterbury Park. how much he’s blessed us. ” The 2-year-old filly, bred in South Dakota by the owner, Northbound Pride is trained by Bob Johnson and Stakes goes to Ice for was ridden by Jake Olesiak. Final time for the 350 yard race the Lady Ice for the Lady won the was 19.083 seconds over a fast main track. The wagering favor- $75,000 Northbound Pride

MINNESOTA

24 SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

Oaks with Seth Martinez aboard. The 3-year-old filly is trained by Gerald Bennett and owned by W. Keenan Rand, Jr. The race, originally carded for the turf, was transferred to the main track and run at one mile. Ice for the Lady, $7.80, won by 1 1/2 lengths over Stellaris and Graham in 1:41.10. Earlier in the program, Kool Wagon won the $22,700 Skip Zimmerman Stakes by 1/2 length over stablemate Specialscountrychick, covering the 350 yards in 17.776 seconds over a muddy track. Both horses are trained by Stacy Charette-Hill. Kool Wagon was ridden by Stormy Smith and is owned by his breeder Michael Pohl. Father’s Day attendance was 13,124.

Ice for the Lady

June 8 Dirt Road Queen takes highway to victory

Dirt Road Queen, owned by Robert and Julie Petersen of Cokato, Minn., won the $21,250 Minnesota Stallion Breeders’ and North Central Quarter Horse Racing Association Derby June 8 at Canterbury Park. The 3-year-old quarter horse filly, ridden by Seth Martinez and trained by William Harris, was bred in Minnesota by the owners. Dirt Road Queen broke inward from the starting gate but Martinez quickly straightened her and took command, winning the 400 yard race by 1 1/4 lengths in 20.005 seconds. “I knew she breaks well,”

RACE RECAPS - QUARTER HORSE

Dirt Road Queen

Harris said. “I hoped she could get good position and go on with it. She’s a racehorse. She breaks and runs.” Cr Strawflyn Bux, ridden by Rusty Shaw, was second and Readi to be Famous and Marcus Swiontek finished third.

NEW MEXICO

Ruidoso Downs, NM June 28 Jody Pops Zoomer runs away in Higheasterjet

Raymundo Medrano and Sammy Valeriano’s Jodys Pop Zoomer ran away from his rivals to dominate the Grade 3, $30,000 Higheasterjet Handicap on Saturday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs. Jody Pops Zoomer got a clean start under all-time leading jockey G.R. Carter Jr. and then humbled his rivals with his class. The gelded son of Zoomin For Bux was clocked in 17.518 seconds for the 350 yards. He won by an expanding three quarters of a length over Jesscuzican while Wasting No Corona was third in the field of

Jody Pops Zoomer

nine older horses. A member of the hot Toby Keeton stable, Jody Pop Zoomer showed his class when he won the Grade 1, $394,000 Texas Classic Derby back in November at Lone Star Park. He came into the Higheasterjet after finishing fourth, but was placed third, in the Grade 1, $250,000 Remington Park Invitational. Jody Pops Zoomer’s impressive late run in the Higheasterjet and his Grade1 credentials make him a prospect for the Grade 1, $200,000 All American Gold Cup over 440 yards on Labor Day weekend at Ruidoso Downs. The Gold Cup winner receives an invitation to the Grade 1, $750,000 Champion Of Champions at Los Alamitos in December.

Grade 1, $1 million Heritage Place Futurity, made a run on the outside of the track, however could not reel in the top-two finishers. Latest Theory got an excellent start from the second post position and Kansas Morning, starting from the third post position, pulled alongside midway through the 400-yard test. The Cody Jensen-ridden Kansas Morning, a gelding by Fdd Dynasty, fought to win by a neck with a 19.820 time. It was another neck back to the charging Big Biz Perry. Trained by Mike Joiner, Kansas Morning won his first race since winning his maiden in the John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge last August. He was then off until he returned in May

to finish fifth in a Ruidoso Downs allowance race. He moved forward off that effort to run second by a nose to Big Biz Perry in their Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge trial with the fifthfastest qualifying time of 19.950.

June 14 Zuccardi impresses with easy win

Crowson Racing’s Zuccardi easily moved to the top of the New Mexico-bred two-yearold class with an impressive win in the $340,697 Mountain Top Futurity at Ruidoso Downs June 14. Under jockey Raul Herrera, who was substituting for injured Roman Chapa, Zuccardi found his stride at about the third jump out of the gate and

Kansas Morning fights to Adequan Derby win

Also on the program was the $62,550 Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge over 400 yards with Kansas Morning prevailing in a tight battle. Burley Jenkins’ homebred Kansas Morning prevailed in a duel with Angel Nieto’s Latest Theory to score his first win since taking last summer’s $55,000 John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge. Even-money favorite Big Biz Perry, winner of the 2013 Kansas Morning SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 25

Zuccardi

had command of the 350-yard race by the halfway mark. Zuccardi rolled under the wire three quarters of a length in front of Fire The Queen and it was another neck back to thirdplace finisher Astica. The colt covered the 350 yards in 17.664 seconds while running into a steady 17 mileper-hour headwind. In a uniquely bet race in which many of the 10 horses had support, Zuccardi was the 2.60-1 favorite. Six of the competitors were at less than 10-1 odds. Zuccardi is stepping forward with each start. After a disastrous debut in which he flipped in the gate at Sunland Park, he matured when he arrived at Ruidoso Downs. The Anna Marie Crowson-trainee won his schooling race in early May and then was supplemented to the Mountain Top Futurity at a cost of $15,000. The investment paid off. Zuccardi romped to a two-andthree-quarter-length trial win with the top time of 17.258 from the 10 trials. A son of Jesse James Jr and Champagne Lane, Zuccardi is bred to have a bright future as the distances grow longer. Jesse James Jr is one of the leading sires in New Mexico and Champagne Lane is a bluehen producer at the national 26 SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

J Bar

level. She is the dam of champion Alice K White and former 440-yard world record holder Kendall Jackson. Evel Zubiate’s runner-up Fire The Queen also has a promising future. She won her career debut in the Mountain Top trials with the third-fastest time of 17.388. MJ Farms’ homebred Astica was third in her Mountain Top trial and squeezed into the finals with the 10th-fastest time of 17.577. The Matt Falestrained filly won the Desert Classic Futurity consolation at Turf Paradise two starts ago. Astica is closely related to Zuccardi, being sired by Jesse James Jr and out of Champagne Lane’s champion daughter Alice K White. Located in Veguita, N.M., MJ Farms bred the top three finishers and four of the Mountain Top Futurity finalists. The top-three finishers all graduated from Ruidoso yearling sales. Zuccardi sold for $38,000, Fire The Queen brought $4,500 and Astica passed through the ring for $50,000.

June 13 Joiner horses win two of three trials

Trainer Mike Joiner won two of the three trials to the

Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge, including saddling fastest-qualifier J Bar, June 13 at Ruidoso Downs. Jerry Windham’s homebred J Bar won the first trial in 19.723 seconds and then the Joinertrained Whip Curl won the second trial in 20.107 for the eighth-fastest time. J Bar will be making his first stakes appearance after winning two of his previous four starts, all as a two-year-old. Last summer at Ruidoso Downs, the Jess Zoomin-sired gelding won his John Deere Juvenile Challenge trial and then his All American Futurity trial. The Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge trial was his first start since a second-place run in the trials to the Dash For Cash Futurity back in September at Lone Star Park. Paul Jones and Chad Richard’s homebred Make A Wish For Me finished one-half length behind J Bar for second with the second-fastest time 19.814. The Brookstone Bay gelding won the John Deere Los Alamitos Juvenile Challenge last August for his most recent victory. Jose Espinosa’s Big Biz Perry, a late-charging winner of the third trial in 19.945, should gain attention in the June 28 Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge on the strength of

her stakes record. She narrowly won the 2013 $1 million Heritage Place Futurity over the highly regarded Hes Relentless, who recently set a Remington Park track record. Trained by Blane Wood, Big Biz Perry was making her first start since racing in the $1 million Texas Classic Futurity in November. Burly Jenkins’ Kansas Morning was caught at the finish by Big Biz Perry and is a third qualifier from the Joiner stable. Big Biz Perry was timed in 19.945 while Kansas Morning was clocked in 19.950.

June 7 Reliance Ranches connections win Ruidoso Derby

It was a great afternoon to be owner Reliance Ranches, trainer Eddie Willis and jockey Jimmy Dean Brooks at Ruidoso Downs on Saturday afternoon. They teamed up to take the Grade 1, $943,127 Ruidoso Derby with Rock You and the first running of the $100,000 Mr Jess Perry with Coronado Cartel. The $943,127 purse for the Ruidoso Derby was an all-time record, surpassing the $822,113 pot last year. Rock You raced to his fifth straight win and most important win by covering the 400

RACE RECAPS - QUARTER HORSE

Rock You

yards in 19.610 seconds. Valeriano Racing Stables’ One Valiant Hero was one-half length back for second and Paul Blanchard’s Grc Justplainazoom was another neck behind for third. Rock You ran a courageous race. “He didn’t break as sharp as he can,” said rider Jimmy Dean Brooks. He then was caught in tight quarters and fought his way to the front. “I switched sticks and he just exploded. I was just kinda sitting on him at the end,” said Brooks. Rock You, a $80,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale purchase, started his winning streak last December at Los Alamitos after he finished third in the Grade 1, $1 million Golden State Futurity. He won his Los Alamitos Two Million trial, however did not qualify for the finals. Willis gave him a breather and he came back in top form for the Remington Park season this spring. After winning an allowance race, he took the $50,000 Bob Moore stakes before coming to Ruidoso. In his Ruidoso Derby trial, he raced to a three-quarter-length win as the 1-2 choice and his time of 19.539 was the fastest time from 10 trials. “It’s incredible,” said owner

Coronado Cartel

Micah McKinney of Reliance Ranches. “He’s just so smart and focused. He doesn’t make any mistakes.” Runner-up One Valiant Hero may be tiring of looking at Rock You. Also trained by Willis, One Valiant Hero was second to Rock You in the Bob Moore Stakes end then won his Ruidoso Derby trial by one length. One Valiant Hero won the $85,000 All American Juvenile by one-and-three-quarter lengths last Labor Day at Ruidoso Downs.

Coronado Cartel wins Mr Jess Perry Stakes

In the $100,000 Mr Jess Perry, Coronado Cartel pulled away as the even-money choice to score his first stakes win in more than a year. Coronado Cartel, a $290,000 purchase at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, scored his previous stakes victory when he took the $720,000 Remington Park Oklahomabred Futurity in April, 2013. “He’s sitting right where we want him,” said McKinney. “He’s got his attitude back.” Coronado Cartel has now won six of 10 starts with three second-place runs, including a runner-up effort in this spring’s $70,000 Mr Master Bug Stakes at Remington Park.

The powerful son of Corona Cartel overwhelmed his rivals. He raced with the leaders under jockey Jimmy Dean Brooks and then pulled out to the one-half-length win with a 19.427 time for the 400 yards. JJ Cool L, LLC’s Belle Helene finished second by one-half length over Lord Valiant. The Blane Wood-trained Belle Helene raced to her best finish since she finished a headbobbing second to stablemate Ms First Prize Rose in last summer’s Grade 1, $1 million Rainbow Futurity.

SunRay Park, Farmington, NM June 21 DQ win in Four Corners Futurity

The win scored by Norma Reyes’ Smoke On The Water in the $105,000 Four Corners Futurity June 21 may not exactly have been gift-wrapped, but it certainly was fortunate. Sent off as the second choice in the field of 10 2-yearold juvenile Quarter Horses,

Smoke On The Water was awarded the win in the Grade 3 featured event after original first-place finisher Mt Spit Shine was disqualified for drifting in and causing interference to several of his rivals. Ridden by Rick Oliver for Arizona-based trainer Monica Ortega, Smoke On The Water finished second along the rail, beaten three-quarters of a length by Mt Spit Shine, who was disqualified from the win and placed eighth. For Smoke On The Water, it is his third win from four career starts. The Kentucky-bred son of Spit Curl Jess finished third in his trial race here on June 6 in the fastest qualifying heat won by Jazzsnspots. Breaking from the rail, Smoke On The Water was never involved in the traffic fracas caused by Mt Spit Shine, who veered in shortly after the start of the 350-yard dash and caused interference to more than one horse in the race. “The rail was the place to be,” Oliver said after the race. “This horse ran so good for me and I just kept riding to get in front of (Zoomin Jessie) to get second.” As it turned out, second was good enough. The disqualification of Mt Spit Shine gave Smoke On The Water the SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 27

Smoke On The Water

lion’s share of the purse money. The $49,350 first prize money pushes his earnings to nearly $75,000. Sent off at odds of 4.50to-1, Smoke On The Water returned $11 to his backers. The official order of finish, after the disqualification, found Zoomin Jessie to be second, followed by LD Red Hot Blue, Clear Winn, Jazzsnspots, Stel Worth it, Nmoceanfrontproperty, Mt Spit Shine, Chicks Deville and Lotta Dynasty. Clear Winn, the post time favorite after his impressive trial win here, failed to fire under Luis Gutierrez, Jr., and was never a threat. In the co-featured Tommy “Duke” Smith Stakes, Jill Giles’ Penny Snatchin was an impressive half-length winner under leading quarter horse jockey Martin Bourdieu. Sent off as the 6-to-5 favorite in the 400 yard affair, Penny Snatchin dueled on the lead from the gate, put away AJ Hardwood nearing the wire and won convincingly for her second win from 10 lifetime starts. Bred in New Mexico, the 3-year-old filly by Gone To The Mountain picked up $27,000 for her winning efforts, increasing her lifetime earnings to over $72,000. 28 SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

Miracle Snow

Trained by Jill’s husband Wes Giles, the victory for Penny Snatchin all but assures that Giles and Bourdieu will both be crowned as champions in their respective divisions when the meet ends. Giles, a perennial stalwart here at SunRay, has a commanding lead in the quarter horse trainer standigs, while Bourdieu, coming off a leading quarter horse riding title at Turf Paradise last spring, will add another title to his string of successes this season.

away late to score by a widening three-quarters of a length, racing the 400 yards on a fast track in a swift time of 19.29 seconds, just one-fifth of a second off the course record. “He still has it, that’s for sure,” proclaimed Neugebauer after the race. “When they get to age 10, you’re never sure if they still have that spirit, but he still has a lot of race in him.” Miracle Snow won for the 15th time in his 55-race career. His win in the Drake snapped a four-race losing streak, his most recent score coming last July in the Zia Handicap at Ruidoso June 1 Miracle Snow dominates Downs. A multiple stakes winner several times over, Miracle Jimmy Drake Stakes Snow also picked up his fifth The 10-year-old Miracle Snow, one of the most well-re- win over the local course, ingarded New Mexico-bred Quar- creasing his career earnings to ter Horses, dominated his seven over $650,000. “He really had an extra gear rivals in deep stretch June 1 at in the last part of the race,” said SunRay Park and Casino, drawBourdieu, who continues to win ing clear late under jockey Marraces in bunches at SunRay Park tin Bourdieu to win the $45,000 and Casino. “I’m really grateful Jimmy Drake Stakes. to (Giles and Neugebauer) to Trained by Wes Giles and owned by Melvin Neugebauer, have such good horses like this to ride.” Miracle Snow was no mystery Bourdieu came into to the bettors going off as the Sunday’s races having won 16 5-2 favorite. Breaking from the outside times from his last 38 mounts over the course of six race days. post in the 8-horse field, the son of Dean Miracle got out of His win aboard Miracle Snow the gate well, wore down early adds another stakes win to his race leader Rex Hill midway already impressive resume. down the stretch, then came “It’s been a really good last

couple of weeks,” Bourdieu said. “Of course, you have to have the horses to do the job, and I’ve been very fortunate.” Miracle Snow is likely headed back to Ruidoso Downs to defend his Zia Handicap title next month at Ruidoso Downs. Rex Hill saved the place spot despite drifting out some in the final yards, finishing a half-length in front of Sandys Jesse. Following that one across the wire were Balderinas Fame CR, WDC Wendys Wine, Jess Reuben James, My Big Chief and Corona Southern Form. On the day, jockey Alfredo Juarez, Jr. picked up three winners while jockeys Tanner Thedford and Aldo Arboleda rode two winners apiece.

OKLAHOMA

Remington Park, Oklahoma City, OK May 31 Photo finish in Heritage Place Futurity

A quick start and gutty performance was worth nearly a half-million dollars to the connections of Lovethewayyoulie

RACE RECAPS - QUARTER HORSE

Lovethewayyoulie

as the 2-year-old filly prevailed to win the Grade 1, $1,020,980 Heritage Place Futurity on Saturday at Remington Park. She just held on at the line, winning a photo-finish over BV Travelin Soldier by a nose. Owned by the Elgin, Texas partnership of Conda Maze and Tyler Graham and trained by Toby Keeton, jockey Cody Jensen was aboard Lovethewayyoulie who excelled at the start. “She showed us a little something about how she wants to get away from the gates and we just keyed on it here in the finals,” Jensen noted. “She’s just super-quick away from the gates and I don’t have to do a whole lot after that. I thought I held (BV Travelin Soldier) off by one jump. I’m glad we didn’t go one jump further.” While Lovethewayyoulie used a quick start to gain early advantage in the richest race of the year at Remington Park, BV Travelin Solider had to make up ground after not getting away nearly as fast. Advancing steadily throughout the 350 yards, BV Travelin Soldier just missed at the line. Count De Monet was another neck behind the runner-up in third. Lovethewayyoulie handled the distance in 17.37 seconds over a fast track. Lovethewayyoulie gave

Pure D Spit

Keeton his third career victory in the Heritage Place Futurity. He believes she has more success ahead of her after recent development. “She’s bloomed. You always look for a horse that blooms between the trials and finals and she just gets better, doing everything right. I thought she’d run a good race.” Graham, who also bred Lovethewayyoulie in Texas with Franklin Collins, is thrilled with the way the diminutive filly has come along. “Awesome filly. She’s got the most intensity, she’s dead-serious about what she does and tries her heart out. She’s not very big but she doesn’t know that.” Away at 7-1 odds in the wagering, Lovethewayyoulie paid $17.20 to win, $6.60 to place and $5.40 to show. BV Travelin Soldier paid $4.80 to place and $4.20 to show. Count De Monet paid $8.80 to show. Paint Me Perry, winner of the Oklahoma Futurity in March was the even-money wagering favorite. He was caught up in a squeeze with other rivals when Apolitical Pac broke inward at the start creating interference with many. Paint Me Perry finished eighth but was elevated to seventh when Apolitical Pac was disqualified and placed ninth and last. Rounding out the finish

Owned and trained by Rodrigo Covarrubias of Wichita, Kan., Pure D Spit was away from the starting gate quickly to gain the lead in the opening strides. Salazar provided a vigorous hand-ride, never going to the whip, and Pure D Spit did the rest while handling 440 yards in :21.197 seconds over a fast track. After the race, Covarrubias was presented the Starter Allowance Series Gist Buckle as Pure D Spit won five races in the series to earn the award. Pure D Spit’s scores came at May 30 increasing distances over the Pure D Spit continues meeting: 250 yards, 300 yards, dominance 330 yards, 400 yards and the The final weekend of the 440 yardson Friday. 2014 Remington Park American The heavy wagering Quarter Horse & Mixed-breed favorite at 1-5 odds, Pure D Season was underway May Spit paid $2.40 to win, $2.40 30. Pure D Spit was back for to place and $2.10 to show. I V one more $30,000 Starter AlGone returned $11 to place and lowance run, this time at 440 $10.20 to show. I Am That Hero yards. The classic Quarter Horse paid $6.40 to show. distance presented no troubles A 6-year-old Oklahomato the streaking gelding. bred gelding by Spit Curl Jess Pure D Spit won his fifth from the Pure D Dash mare consecutive race, finishing Pure Princess, Pure D Spit has his local season perfect with won nine of his last 11 races five wins in as many attempts. with six in a row dating to OcUnder a jubilant Jesus Salazar tober 2013. Overall, he has won who delivered a couple of 14 of 35 career attempts with fist pumps while crossing the seven wins at Remington Park. line, Pure D Spit won by 1-3/4 The May 30 victory was worth lengths over I V Gone with I Am another $16,930 for Pure D Spit That Hero another three-quar- who has rolled up a total of ters of a length back in third. $186,990. after the top three: Painted Summer, Notavailableinstores, Im A Fancy PYC (Remington Park Futurity winner), Paint Me Perry, Jaxtens First Wagon and Apolitical Pac. Lovethewayyoulie is by Tempting Dash from the Streakin Sixes mare Witchs Streak. She won her second career race, all at Remington Park, in the Heritage Place Futurity from four starts and earned $428,811 to boost her total bankroll to $450,479.

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Get Happy Mister

Lady Jila

COLORADO

and ridden by Michael Ziegler, the 7-year-old mare ran what her connections described as the best race of her life, winning the 6-furlong, $40,000 stakes race by 2 3/4 lengths after being part of a scorching pace duel with second-place finisher Gracie Grace. They blazed through the opening quarter-mile in 21.75 seconds and half-mile in 44.04 seconds before Lady Jila pulled away under a hand ride in a final time of 1:09.82 as the 5-2 second choice in the field of 10. “I was watching the pace of the race, and it was pretty intense,” Barro said. “I was never really comfortable until I saw her pull away from Gracie Grace in the last 100 yards. Talking to Mike (Ziegler) later, he said he had a lot of horse left if he needed it.” Lady Contender, a winner of two stakes races in a row in Nebraska, took third, and African Rose, the 8-5 favorite off two stakes victories in a row in New Mexico, was fourth. Lady Jila has now won four races in a row at Arapahoe Park dating back to last year, including a stakes victory in the 2013 Columbine. Barro said Lady Jila’s next race will be a defense of her Columbine crown. “She’s never been better than right now,” Barro said.

Bishop and trained by Kenneth “Butch” Gleason, ran down E F Five, the Aspen winner in 2011 and 2013, to win by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:09.93 in the 6-furlong, $40,000 stakes race for Colorado-breds. E F Five and jockey Kelly Bridges were secArapahoe Park, ond, as they also had been in Aurora, CO 2012. Billie D took third. MagiJune 15 cal Twist, who would be named Get Happy Mister is the Colorado’s horse of the year for 2013 later in the evening at the (Rain) Man Get Happy Mister and jock- Colorado Thoroughbred Breedey Michael Ziegler were singing ers’ Association awards dinner, in the rain as they danced their was fourth. way to a 1 3/4-length victory in From claiming races to the Aspen Stakes at Arapahoe stakes success Park June 14. The 2012 ColoLady Jila continued her rado-bred horse of the year is rags-to-riches story as the now undefeated in six career starts at Arapahoe Park, four of former $5,000 claimer won the Molly Brown Stakes June them stakes races. 15 at Arapahoe Park. Bred Over a sloppy racetrack and owned by Michael Barro, as hail fell, the 4-year-old bay trained by Sharlot Martinez, gelding owned by Annette

30 SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

June 1 Wally Van, Travis Wales reunite for win

Wally Van turned back the clock, looking as good as he ever has in winning his sixth career stakes race at Arapahoe Park in the Arapahoe Park Sprint June 1. The 6-year-old gray was reunited with jockey Travis Wales, who had been aboard for three stakes victories when Wally Van won 2011 Coloradobred horse of the year honors as a 3-year-old. Three years later, jockey and horse did not miss a beat with Wally Van pulling away in Sunday’s 6-furlong, $40,000 stakes race to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:08.85 as the even-money favorite. “I won three stakes in a row with him, and it’s great to get back where we left off,” Wales said. “We’re reunited, and it felt like a glove. [Trainer] Tyrone [Gleason] did a great job preparing this horse, and I’m really grateful to him and [owner] Bill Vanlandingham for putting me back on the horse.” Wales compared Sunday’s victory to Wally Van’s first stakes score in the 2011 Inaugural Stakes at Arapahoe Park. In both races, Wally Van sat off the early pace and made a powerful run down the center of the track in the homestretch.

RACE RECAPS - THOROUGHBRED

Wally Van

After the Inaugural, Wales rode Wally Van to victories in the 2011 CTBA Derby and Colorado Derby. Michael Ziegler piloted Wally Van in his next two stakes successes at Arapahoe Park in the 2011 Mount Elbert and 2012 Aspen. The 6-year-old has now won 11 of 32 races and is 10 for 19 at Arapahoe Park. Sunday’s win pushed his career earnings at Arapahoe Park to more than $200,000. Laugh At Life, coming off an allowance victory at Arapahoe Park one week ago, finished second in the Arapahoe Park Sprint ridden by Brian Theriot. Ghost Vapors was a further two lengths back in third, followed by No It Ain’t, the 2013 winner of the Arapahoe Park Sprint, in fourth in the field of eight.

Ghost Is Clear

terbury Park over a drying main track listed as good. The wagering favorite circled the field after sitting behind a fast early pace, winning by 1/2 length over Bobcat Jim in a final time of 1:18.04 for 6 1/2 furlongs. Ghost Is Clear is owned by Jana Wagner and Michael Maker, who is also the trainer. Ghost Is Clear paid $6.60 to win.

June 7 Dancing to a victory

It felt like old times when Luis Quinonez, leading jockey at Canterbury Park from 1995 to 1999, returned to Canterbury Park June 7 and willed his mount Gold Medal Dancer to a head victory over Every Way in the $75,000 Minnesota H.B.P.A. Distaff.

MINNESOTA

Canterbury Park, Shakopee, MN June 15 A clear win in Dark Star Cup

Ghost Is Clear and jockey James Graham won the $75,000 Dark Star Cup June 15 at CanGold Medal Dancer

Gold Medal Dancer is trained by Donnie Von Hemel and owned by Pin Oak Stable LLC. The wagering favorite returned $4.40 to win. Polar Plunge was third. Final time for the one mile was 1:40.05. Jimmy Simms, ridden by Dean Butler, dictated the pace in the $75,000 Brooks Fields Stakes and drew away late to win by 3 3/4 lengths over Stachys in 1:38.82 for the mile distance. Jimmy Simms, who paid $8.40 to win, is trained by Steve Asmussen and owned by Elisabeth Alexander. Keg Party and jockey Deshawn Parker finished third. Rain forced track management to move both $75,000 stakes originally carded for the turf course to a muddy main track.

NEW MEXICO

Ruidoso Downs, NM June 22 Divine Gift gets up at the wire

MCM Racing, LLC’s Divine Gift needed about every yard of the seven-and-one-half furlongs to get to the finish first in the $20,000 Zenyatta for fillies and mares June 22 at Ruidoso Downs. Divine Gift, ridden by Casey Lambert, was timed in 1:33.16 for her second straight win. The daughter of Divine Park won her maiden in her previous start when she destroyed a field of $8,000 maiden claimers by twentyeight-and-one-half lengths at SunRay Park. She was claimed out of that stunning effort by trainer Weston Martin for her current connections. Lambert kept Divine Gift in a stalking position and then angled the mare out entering the stretch. She rallied to catch Bright Town, who went to the front entering the final SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 31

Divine Gift

Lux

turn. Cottagecupcake, the 1910 favorite, set the early pace and faded. Divine Gift won by an increasing neck. It was three quarters of a length between second-place finisher Bright Town and third-place runner Lady Of Luck. Runner-up Bright Town, a daughter of Speightstown, came into the Zenyatta off a third-place run in the $50,000 First Lady Handicap at Ruidoso Downs on May 25.

46.357 seconds. The quarter horse Im Royal Quick was a neck back in second and another quarter horse, Oh Jess Fly, ran third. He was three quarters of a length behind Im Royal Quick. Im Royal Quick and Oh Jess Fly are each trained by Jose Manuel Barron. The thoroughbred Safe Trip, the 7-10 favorite, made a run from last place to finish fifth. He won the Fine Loom Handicap with a rally between horses in his previous out. The Glenn Brumlowtrained Cowboy Hennessy stepped up with the stakes win after taking a $7,500 claiming race in his previous start. He went from gate-towire in the 870-yard race to prevail by two-and-one-half lengths.

stakes win in the $55,000 Totah Handicap on June 17 at SunRay Park. She rode You’ve Been Duped, who is trained by Fincher. Lux, the 4-1 second choice, settled into fifth place and made her move on the turn. “I just asked him a little and he came running strong,” said Gonzalez. Owned by Bessie and Steve Prather with E. Dwayne Taylor, Lux was forced to run seven-wide into the stretch June 21 and still had enough stamina to get up for the convincing Fincher one-two in win. Mountain Top Futurity “He’s got a big stride and Trainer Todd Fincher sent is not a heavy horse,” said out the top two finishers and Fincher. “We know that he jockey Ruby Gonzalez, 22, can sprint and that’s a good won her second stakes race thing. We’ll see about two when Lux made a sweeping turns. ” move to take the $155,995 The gelded son of Mountain Top Futurity for Quinton’s Gold will now be New Mexico-breds June 21 at a prime prospect for the Ruidoso Downs. $175,000 Rio Grande Senor Also on the program Futurity July 27. It is part was the $20,000 Tricky Dust over 870 yards with Stephen of the Zia Festival for New Mexico-breds. The two-day Brown’s thoroughbred Cowboy Hennessy prevailing after Zia Festival offers more than $1 million in purses. a fight through the stretch. In the Tricky Dust, the EnLux finished one-andrique Portillo Gomez-ridden one-half lengths over stable Cowboy Hennessy engaged mate Diabolical Dame while in a tight battle through the favored Liberty Lover was stretch and came through third at 13-10 odds. Gonzalez scored her first at 9-1 odds with a time of 32 SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

June 15 Alsono wins Norgor Derby

Tony Pennington’s Alsono, the 4-5 favorite, took the lead from the start and went on to score his second stakes win in three starts in the $40,000 Norgor Thoroughbred Derby at Ruidoso Downs June 15. The Elvin Gonzalez-

ridden Alsono covered the six furlongs in 1:10.24. The Tom Squad tried to make it a tighter finish with a late run, however came up one length short. Blackout was three quarters of a length behind The Tom Squad for third. Alsono took charge of the race from the inside post position. The colt used his natural speed to take him to the lead out of the gate and Gonzalez had a steady hold entering the turn. The son of Limehouse maintained his advantage on the turn and entering the stretch. Then The Tom Squad made his bid. He was closing ground, however never seriously threatened Alsono. The Justin Evans-trained Alsono has been on a roll with four wins and a secondplace finish from six outs this year. After an allowance win to start the year at Sunland Park, he moved up to the stakes division and won the $50,000 KHEY Sprint by two lengths. After a sixth-place finish at 5-1 odds in the $120,000 Mine That Bird Derby, he won the $35,000 SunRay Park Casino Handicap. He made his most recent start in the $40,000 Arapahoe Park Inau-

RACE RECAPS - THOROUGHBRED

Alsono

Ol Winedrinker Who

gural Handicap and came up finished a head in front of the a nose short for second as the Henry Dominguez trainee for his eighth win from 24 lifetime 4-5 favorite. starts. Ol Winedrinker Who came into the San Juan County Commissioners Handicap in the midst of a three-race losing streak, the last pair of races finishing well behind rivals Jaycito and Isn’t He Clever. SunRay Park, His last win coming in the Zia Park Distance Challenge at Zia Farmington, NM Park in Hobbs last fall. Trainer June 22 Joel Marr had his charge in Ol Winedrinker Who superior condition for SunRay Park’s biggest Thoroughbred takes upset win event. For the better part of Breaking from the outside 2014, Sam and Sammy Stevens’ Ol Winedrinker Who has post in the 6-horse field, Madeira settled in nicely behind been reserved to playing the the speed, knowing he had role of minor player to some of the top handicap horses in something left in reserve. “I saw they were going the state of New Mexico. pretty quick up front,” Madeira On closing day June 22 at SunRay Park and Casino, Ol said. “When he got running on the turn, I thought we could Winedrinker Who and jockey Carlos Madeira got a measure outrun (Isn’t He Clever). He’s a good horse and he finished of revenge, posting a narstrong.” row upset win in a thrilling Sent off as the fourth edition of the $75,000 San choice on the board at odds of Juan County Commissioners 9.50-to-1, Ol Winedrinker Who Handicap. Chasing a moderate early returned $21 to his backers on each $2 ticket. Ol Winedrinker pace set by Isn’t He Clever Who ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1 and jockey Enrique Gomez, minute, 51.8 seconds. the Texas-bred son of Sligo Isn’t He Clever, who won Bay found his best stride at this race a year ago by nearly the top of the lane, collared 17 lengths, appeared to have that one nearing the wire and

things in hand on the far turn after putting away a stubborn King Coral. The son of Smarty Jones opened up a 3-length lead at the head of the lane, but got tagged in the shadow of the wire, finishing nearly 9 lengths clear of the rest of the field. King Coral saved third place, followed by post-time favorite Forest Mouse, Happy Toes and Jaycito. Forest Mouse, bet down to the 11-to-10 favorite as the gates opened, came into the race with an unblemished record in four starts at SunRay Park and Casino. Ridden by Alfredo Juarez, Jr., the son of Teton Forest raced off the pace early and never threatened, beaten some 12 lengths by the winner. Ol Winedrinker Who’s victory was worth $45,000 to the connections, increasing his career bankroll to just over $401,000.

El Gato Azul moved up along the rail down the backstretch chasing a quick early pace. When Midnightlowdown faltered on the far turn and clipped heels, it appeared to cause a chain reaction of horses to float out on the bend, which opened up the inside for Garcia and El Gato Azul, sent off as the co-fourth choice on the board at odds of 5.30-to-1. The son of Future Trick wore down Vicente Y Su Corona nearing the wire and posted a half-length victory, running the 870 yards in 46.33 seconds. Bettors who supported El Gato Azul at the windows were rewarded with a $12.60 return on their $2 investment. The win is El Gato Azul’s first stakes victory and his seventh from 28 career starts. The $27,000 winners share of the purse increases his lifetime earnings to over $111,000. Vicente Y Su Corona was well clear of the rest of the El Gato Azul scores field when saving second, NMHA Win ahead of KC Royal Flush, Talkin In other stakes action on Hills, Storm Chasor and MidSunday, El Gato Azul took adnightlowdown. vantage of a perfect trip on his way to a mild upset win in the June 17 $45,000 New Mexico HorseYou’ve Been Duped wins mans Association Handicap under jockey Enrique Garcia. Totah Stakes Trained by Jesus Carrete, For You’ve Been Duped, SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 33

You’ve Been Duped

his June 17 win in the $45,000 Totah Stakes was not only the first career win for the son of Diabolical, but in the process, he also picked up his first stakes win for Todd Fincher, one of the top trainers in the state of New Mexico. And as if there needed to be more to the story, the winning ride from jockey Ruby Gonzalez also provided her with a first career stakes win. Sold for $50,000 to the Reliance Ranches, You’ve Been Duped was one of the highest-priced yearling purchases at last year’s Ruidoso Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred Sales. After a sluggish racing debut at Sunland Park last April, the gelding returned with a vengeance Tuesday at SunRay Park and Casino, inching away in deep stretch to beat another Fincher trainee, Born A Ruler, by three-quarters of a length. You’ve Been Duped broke sharp from his midpack post under Gonzalez and sprinted to a short lead down the backstretch in the 4 1/2 furlong Totah. Born A Ruler, ridden by Aldo Arboleda, ranged up on the outside of the eventual winner, dueling with that one to the top of the lane after a fast opening quarter mile 34 SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

Missing Reba

timed in 21.92 seconds. Those two exchanged blows in their own private match race to deep stretch, when Gonzalez found an extra gear aboard You’ve Been Duped, who crossed the wire with a quick final time of 51.86 seconds. “He broke real well for me,” Gonzalez said after the race. “I felt that other horse coming over on the turn and I was happy this one had something left in the tank for me.” Fincher, who also saddled the first and second-place finishers in last week’s C.O. Ken Kendrick Memorial Futurity for 2-year-old fillies over this course, seems to have a pretty good eye for the juveniles. “We’ve been real fortunate with a lot of really good horses this season,” Fincher said. “I was real disappointed in (You’ve Been Duped) in his debut run at Sunland, but the winner of that race (Malibu Rain) has come back to be a good one and hopefully good things are coming for this horse too.” Sent off as the third choice in the betting at odds of 3.10-to-1, You’ve Been Duped returned $8.20 to his backers at the windows. The victory was worth $27,000 to his connections, which

increases his earnings to $27,418. Born A Ruler saved second, more than 2 lengths clear of third place finisher Lee Did It. Behind that one across the wire were Uncle Fudge, Lunar Storm, Maries H And H and Record Heat. Handsome Amigo was scratched earlier in the day. Uncle Fudge, the post time favorite at odds of 2.50to-1, raced far behind the early leaders and was never a threat, beaten over 10 lengths when finishing fourth for trainer Jose Vargas and jockey Carlos Madeira. On the day, jockeys Alfredo Juarez, Jr. and Elvin Gonzalez had big days, with Juarez striking three times and Gonzalez winning a pair. Trainer Brent Elston saddled three winners on the card as well.

June 10 1-2 finish for Fincher at SunRay

Trainer Todd Fincher sent out three horses in the June 10 featured $45,000 C.O. Ken Kendrick Memorial Stakes at SunRay Park and Casino. Led by Missing Reba, who posted a convincing score under jockey Aldo Arboleda and

stablemate Be My Angel with jockey Ruby Gonzalez finishing second, it was a pretty good afternoon for Fincher. Missing Reba, a 2-year-old filly by Diabolical, dueled for the early lead down the backstretch with her stablemate just to her inside. As the top pair hit the top of the lane, Missing Reba began to inch clear winding up winning by two lengths in a moderate final time of 52.95 seconds for the 4 1-2 furlongs. Owned by Linda Hunter, Missing Reba has now posted two straight wins since arriving at SunRay Park and Casino. She broke her maiden in her second career start last month and was brought back fairly quick for this race, restricted to New Mexico-bred juvenile fillies. Sent off as the fourth choice in the wagering at odds of 4.80-to-1, Missing Reba validated the trainer’s belief in bringing her back so quickly. “They’re both pretty good fillies,” Fincher said after the race, referring to both the winner and runner-up. “(Missing Reba) just kept finding a little bit more late in the race.” Miss BRH, recent longshot winner of the Copper Top Futurity at Sunland Park for trainer Fred Danley, finished third under jockey Alfredo Juarez,

RACE RECAPS - THOROUGHBRED Honour held that position all the way until taking the lead just past the head of the stretch gaining three lengths on the leader and holding off a fast closing Expect Royalty by a head to the wire. “The only thing I had to worry about was if she didn’t break good then I would be stuck wide,” said winning rider Cliff Berry. But she broke sharp and there was no traffic, I got down where I wanted to be.” This was Cliff’s third win of the night. Significant Heart Fractions for the seven and one half furlong distance, over Jr., more than a length clear of a firm turf course, were 23.43, Storming Who, Fincher’s third 46.63 and 1:10.61, for a final starter in the Kendrick and the time of 1:29.03, a new stakes 2.10-to-1 post time favorite record. with jockey Dusty Shepherd. “It’s exciting to have a “I’d have liked to have run homebred win our first stakes 1-2-3,” Fincher quipped in the race here at Lone Star,” said winner’s circle. “But these are all owner Joey Keith Davis. “We’ve Lone Star Park, pretty good horses and they all won about 20 stakes since Grand Prairie, TX we’ve been in the game and ran well.” this is our first one here, so it’s The win in the Kendrick June 15 great to do it with a homebred.” added $27,000 to Missing Molly’s Honour gets the With the $30,000 winner’s Reba’s career bankroll, which victory share of the purse, Molly’s Honnow stands at nearly $36,000. Post time favorite Molly’s our has bankrolled $150,728 Her winning backers at the in career earnings. Tonight’s windows were rewarded with a Honour, a homebred owned win puts her career record at payoff of $11.60. by Joey Keith Davis and 16-5-5-2. Behind Storming Who trained by Karl Broberg, gets At odds of 1.90-1, Molly’s across the wire were I Am Dan- the win in the third running of dy, Emmie B Who, Humarumba the $50,000 Lane’s End Stallion Honour returned $5.80, $3.40 and $2.80. Expect Royalty and Zuellas Heat. Gone Gem Scholarship Stakes for TexasDandy was scratched earlier in bred 3-year-olds A up, fillies & returned $8.20 and $5.40 for place, and Lasting Bubbles held the day. mares at Lone Star Park June on for show returning $3.60. On the day, Arboleda rode 14. three winners, including the Molly’s Honour, a four-year- Thegirlinthatsong, Triplemenscore aboard Missing Reba. old filly by Etesaal, broke alertly tal, Smiles Golden Song, Sassy Arboleda also rode fifth race and moved early to gain a spot N Special, Savannah’s Keeper, Mescaleress and Shezararebird winner Walks Like Brando and just off leader Lasting Bubbles ninth race winner Enuff Bull. under jockey Cliff Berry. Molly’s completed the order of finish.

TEXAS

Margarita On Rocks was a late scratch.

WASHINGTON

Emerald Downs, Auburn, WA June 22 Del Rio Harbor super in Coca-Cola Handicap

Never underestimate Del Rio Harbor at Emerald Downs. The track’s Top 2-Year-Old Male last year, Del Rio Harbor continues to confound horseplayers with big performances at big odds. June 22, the chestnut gelding rebounded with a 2 ½-length victory over stable mate Noosito in the $50,000 Coca-Cola Handicap for 3-yearold colts and geldings. Ridden by Gallyn Mitchell at 121 lbs, Del Rio Harbor ran one mile in 1:34.73 and paid $11.20, $3.60 and $3. The victory was worth $27,500 to co-owners Desert Rose Racing and Bar C Racing Stables. Noosito, ridden by Leslie Mawing at 121 lbs, challenged Del Rio Harbor into the stretch but was out finished through the lane and settled for second place. Noosito paid $2.20 and $2.20. Doris Harwood trains both Del Rio Harbor and Noosito, upping her all-time track record to 63 stakes wins.

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SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 35

Del Rio Harbor

Charlie Thomas, with Felipe Valdez riding at 117 lbs, rallied inside to finish third and paid $4.20. Mebossman, Slice of Red, Redsolocup, Kenai King, Trick Or Retreat and He’s Zuberrific completed the order of finish. Del Rio Harbor and Noosito – both Washington-breds by Harbor the Gold – have now faced each other five times with Del Rio Harbor holding a 3-2 lead. Del Rio Harbor has four stakes wins and has yet to be favored in any of them, winning at odds of 3-to-1, 15-to-1 and 9-to-2 twice. In last month’s Auburn Handicap at 6 ½ furlongs, Noosito got the jump on Del Rio Harbor and drew off for a five-length victory. This time the roles were reversed, as Del Rio Harbor swept past a tiring He’s Zuberrific on the last turn, and then turned back Noosito for the victory. “I knew I had plenty of horse at the top of the lane,” said Mitchell, who has been aboard Del Rio Harbor in his last two works. “I kicked him on and asked him in the middle of the turn, and de did exactly what he does in the morning. He got out in front and pricked his ears. I just kept chirping at him and kept him busy. He 36 SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

Stryker PHD

heard the other horses coming and just kept to business.” By Harbor the GoldBahati, Del Rio Harbor is 6-1-1 in nine starts with earnings of $155,709, including $27,500 for Sunday’s victory. Noosito, in fourth place early, offered his bid into the lane, but came up short. “He ran his race, Del Rio Harbor was just better today,” Mawing said. “ We were in a perfect spot and galloped up to Del Rio Harbor at the quarter pole but he just had a lot in reserve. Looking back, I don’t think I would’ve done anything different. We were in a good spot off a fast pace, sitting right where we wanted to be.”

$10.80, $6 and $4.60. Larry Ross, who took over training duties from Margo Lloyd this spring, now conditions Stryker Phd for owners Jim and Mona Hour of Bellevue, Wash. Mr. Bowling, ridden by David G. Lopez at 118 lbs., finished second and paid $5.40 and $4.20. Canadian shipper Shooting Jacket, a 29-to-1 long shot ridden by Eliska Kubinova at 116 lbs, rallied to finish third and paid $15 to show. Jebrica, the defending champion and 3-to-1 betting favorite, finished fourth, followed by Twistrgrips, Dontmesswithkitten, Hudson Landing, Why Not Be Perfect, Mike Man’s Gold and Pepnic. In ninth place early, Stryker June 15 Phd made a sweeping move Stryker PHD spectacular on the last turn to gain command into the stretch, and in Budweiser Using a strong closing kick, then drew off through the lane Stryker Phd made a triumphant for a powerful victory. It was an emphatic win by the 5-year-old return to action June 15 at gelding, who gained notoriety Emerald Downs. last year by finishing second in Runner-up in the 2013 all four stakes for older horses. Longacres Mile, Stryker Phd “We’ve been training him drew clear for a 3 ¼-length victory in stakes-record time in just how we wanted him to the $50,000 Budweiser Handi- run today,” Mawing said. “We wanted him to come from off cap for 3-year-olds and up. the pace. I knew there was Ridden by Leslie Mawing at 119 lbs., Stryker Phd ran one going to be a lot of speed today. All I needed to do was mile in 1:34.15 – breaking the mark shared by Westsideclyde lie off the pace and make one big run. and R. Associate – and paid

“As long as this horse has something to run at, he’s going to give you 150 percent. Hopefully, we have a lot more wins by the end of the season.” A Washington-bred by Bertrando-Striking Scholar, Stryker Phd is 3-4-4 in 14 starts with earnings of $155,251, including $27,500 for the Budweiser victory. Based on Sunday, Stryker Phd would be considered the top local contender for the $200,000 Longacres Mile (Grade 3) on Aug. 24. The $50,000 Mt. Rainier Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 20 is the final local tune-up.

June 8 Stopshoppingdebbie does it again

Superstar 4-year-old filly Stopshoppingdebbie remained perfect June 8, turning aside stable mate Goin to the Window for a half-length victory in the $50,000 Washington State Legislators Stakes for older fillies and mares. Ridden by Rocco Bowen at high weight of 123 lbs., Stopshoppingdebbie ran 6 ½ furlongs in a stakes record 1:14.20, and paid $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10. Tom Wenzel is the trainer for owner/breeder Northwest Farms (Jerre Paxton, Yakima, Wash.)

RACE RECAPS - THOROUGHBRED

Stopshoppingdebbie

Stopshoppingdebbie is 7-for-7 with lifetime earnings of $183,773, including $27,500 for Sunday’s victory. She has won, in order, the Seattle Handicap, Irish Day Handicap, Kent Handicap, Washington Oaks, Hastings Handicap and Washington State Legislators Stakes. The latter two were vs. older fillies and mares, a division she clearly dominates, and there have even been rumblings she could face males in the August 24 Longacres Mile. Goin to the Window made her stable mate earn the victory Sunday. Rallying from fifth in the six-horse field, Goin to the Window chased Stopshoppingdebbie through the stretch and, for a moment, had jockey Juan Gutierrez believing they were about to dethrone Stopshoppingdebbie. It wasn’t to be, however, and Stopshoppingdebbie prevailed. “She had a lot more horse than it looked like,” Bowen said of the winner. “She didn’t get home by a big margin, but she had a lot more horse left. With these types of horses you don’t need to win by 10. She’s got a heart of a champion, a heart of a lion, and a heart of a colt.” Breaking from the outside No. 6 post-position, Stopshoppingdebbie stalked Blueberry Smoothie, Finding More and

Missing Reba

Madame Pele, as the leaders set fractions of :22.70 for the quarter-mile and :45.22 for the half. Stopshoppingdebbie advanced four-wide into the lane, gained a short advantage in mid-stretch and held off Goin to the Window for the victory. Gutierrez said the runnerup ran a big race. “Next time we’re going to beat (Stopshoppingdebbie),” he said. “My filly ran huge. She relaxed early and finished great. I’m full of confidence with her. For a second, at the threesixteenths-pole, I thought we had her. “It’s just not easy to beat a horse that good. Next stake is a mile and that’ll be good for my filly.” Goin to the Window paid $6.20 and $3.40. It was two lengths back to Blueberry Smoothie in third place, and a $2.60 show payoff. Blueberry Smoothie, like the top two finishers, is trained by Wenzel and bred and co-owned by Northwest Farms. It marked the fifth time in two seasons that Stopshoppingdebbie, Goin to the Window and Blueberry Smoothie finished first, second and third in an Emerald Downs stakes race. Madame Pele, Tabled With Gold and Finding More completed the order of finish.

The $50,000 Boeing Handicap at one mile is next for older fillies and mares on Sunday, July 6.

champion 2-year-old filly at Emerald Downs, Chu and You led through fractions of :22 for the quarter-mile and :44.34 for the half, and responded gamely through the lane to just miss. June 1 Ridden by Juan Gutierrez City By The Bay prevails at 120 lbs, Chu and You paid $7 in Seattle Handicap and $5. California shipper City By Mylast Sweet Pea, a 50-to-1 The Bay remained undefeated long shot ridden by Gallyn June 1 with a brisk threeMitchell at 115 lbs, rallied to quarter-length victory over a finish third and paid $9.20. stubborn Chu and You in the Robbie Baze trains both $50,000 Seattle Handicap for Chu and You and Mylast Sweet 3-year-old fillies at Emerald Pea. Downs. Lotta Attitude, the 3-to-1 Ridden by Juan Hernandez second choice, finished fourth, at 119 pounds, City By The Bay and was followed by Strawberran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:14.76 and ry Dawn, Sunpenny, Just a Love paid $3.60, $2.60 and $2.10. The and Belladiva. winner, who was making her City By The Bay, in fourth first start since an 8 ¾-length place early, moved up threevictory in the $100,000 Barretts wide to take command into the Debutante last September, is stretch, and gradually edged trained by Billy Morey for Maraway from Chu and You. tin Bach of Danville, Calif. and “I thought she could win Jack Owens of Modesto, Calif. this race, but I didn’t think it Now 3-for-3 lifetime, City would be easy,” said Hernandez, By The Bay earned $27,500 to second leading rider at Golden push her bankroll to $97,670. Gate. “I asked her a little before Based at Golden Gate Fields, the quarter-pole because I the Kentucky-bred daughter of City Zip has notched wins at didn’t want (Chu and You) to try Santa Rosa, Fairplex Park and and get away from us. Emerald Downs. “This was my filly’s first Chu and You rebounded time here, so I had to make sure to really get after her so she from a sub-par effort last knew when to go. She respondmonth in Canada and gave ed really well. I was worried the winner a stern challenge through the stretch. Last year’s that we might finish second SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7 37

length lead into the stretch and because the filly on the inside looked like she was never going just failed to last. Cantcatchme to give up, but my horse didn’t paid $3.20 and $2.80. Smart Copy was three quit.” lengths back in third and paid $2.80 to show. He’s Zuberrific, May 31 City Shadows and Can’t Get Kenai King prevails in Enough completed the order Emerald feature of finish. Troop Ship was a late Kenai King and jockey scratch. Gallyn Mitchell would not be Kenai King is one of denied May 31 at Emerald several top 3-year-olds in the Downs. Harwood stable this year. Last Under urging from Mitchweek, for example, she saddled ell, Kenai King rallied from last Noosito to an explosive vicand wore down Cantcatchme tory in the Auburn Handicap, in the final strides for a threeand Del Rio Harbor*Emerald quarter-length victory in the Downs’ champion 2-year-old $19,025 allowance feature for Washington-bred 3-year-olds. male of 2013 – finished third in Kenai King ran six furlongs the Auburn. Sunday, Harwood saddles Trick Or Retreat, yet anin 1:09.26 and paid $8, $3.80 other promising sophomore, and $2.60. Doris Harwood is in a maiden special weight for the trainer for Bar C Racing 3-year-olds. Stables (Pam & Neal ChristoHarwood’s four 3-yearpherson of Hermiston, Ore.) olds – Noosito, Del Rio Harbor, Cantcatchme, the 2-toKenai King and Trick Or Retreat 1 betting favorite ridden by Ronald Richard, opened a two- – are all sons of Harbor the

38 SureBet RacingNews.com • July 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 7

Kenai King

Gold, the sire that also produced Noosa Beach, the brilliant gelding that won a track record 11 stakes for Harwood from 2008-2011. Saturday, Harwood credited Mitchell’s energetic riding for helping to make the difference. After breaking a step slow, Kenai King saved

ground on the turn, angled out into the stretch and kept plugging away to finally tag Cantcatchme in the final yards. The track’s all-time leader with 1,358 wins, the 51-yearold Mitchell has posted riding doubles three of the last five racing days and is winning at a 23 percent clip for the season.

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