M AY 2 0 1 4 路 V O L . 8 N O . 5
California Chrome a favorite for
2014 Kentucky Derby pg. 5
sire of
HANDSOME JACK FLASH –
AQHA Champion si 122
Named 2013 AQHA World Champion 2YO and Champion 2YO Gelding
FIRST MOONFLASH Champion Aged Stallion, Lifetime Earnings $969,000 SI 122 - 7 G1 Wins Sire of Earnings of $2.3 million, 2013 #2 Leading 2YO Sire Sire of an All American Futurity Winner in his First Crop, 2013 #1 Leading Freshman Sire By Champion Multi Millionaire Sire First to Flash si 106 Multiple-Stakes Producer Nagano Moon, by Major Rime
HANDSOME JACK FLASH
The Nation’s Leading Sophomore Sire of 2014 To Flash for You SI 102 ($105,716) Wins G2 NMHBA Quarter Horse Stakes at Sunland Park Photo by Gay Harris Photo
All American Futurity G1 Winner
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SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5
reBet uRACING NEWS N NE EWS EWS
S
PUBLISHED BY:
MAIN OFFICE: 2810 Sudderth, Ste. 206 • Ruidoso, NM 88345 575.808.8477 • 8 - 6, M - F www.surebetracingnews.com PUBLISHER: EUGENE HEATHMAN Cell: 575.937.9330 publisher@surebetracingnews.com BILLING/ACCOUNTING: ANNA FUQUA Cell: 575.937.6849 billing@surebetracingnews.com AD SALES: MANDA TOMISON Cell: 806.777.2075 manda@surebetracingnews.com E D I T O R I A L S TA F F : TODD FUQUA editor@surebetracingnews.com MICHAEL CUSORTELLI oaktown_c@hotmail.com MARTHA CLAUSSEN mclaussen50@yahoo.com TOM DAWSON tvtom@aol.com TY WYANT ty_wyant@yahoo.com COPY EDITOR: MIKE SCANLON DESIGN DIREC TOR: KATHERINE KIEFER production@surebetracingnews.com C O N S U LTA N T : LAURA FLYNN
CONTENTS M AY 2 0 1 4
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VOL. 8 NO. 5
Cover photo courtesy of Scott Martinez
Cover Story: Derby Day a holiday at nation’s tracks by Todd Fuqua . . . . . . 5 Feature Story: Boi George Ruidoso bound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Ruidoso Downs opens for training; Track records set at Remington; Chitu Named Horse of Meet at Sunland Park
Racing Commission Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 RCI Model Rule changes adopted; John Ward named RCI chair, Lamberth and Durenberger elected officers; Lack of compounding pharmacy enforcement making racing integrity more elusive; Ruidoso Downs supports Racing Free Clean-Racing program
Race Recaps: Quarter Horse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Los Alamitos Race Course: Fiesty Flo wins La Primera Del Año; It’s his time to shine in James Smith Memorial Delta Downs: Katillac Man sets record in Delta Dash; Dashin Gage dominates John Alleman Memorial; On The Wagon fastest to Old South Sunland Park: Winning Merlot takes New Mexican Spring Futurity; Feature Mr Who defends title in Bank of America Challenge SunRay Park: Warren’s Knockout holds on in Inaugural Handicap Remington Park: Remington Park Futurity a close one; $298,000 Remington Park Derby; $50,990 Bob Moore Memorial Stakes; $74,750 Laico Bird Stakes; Painted Laico Bird wins Mr Master Bug; Count it: Count De Monet wins Juvenile; Texas Silk rolls in American Paint Classic; American Paint Derby; Red Cell Distance Challenge; Merial Distaff Challenge; Bank of America Challenge; Zoetis Allowance Challenge Sam Houston Race Park: Kiss My Hocks sensational in Sam Houston Futurity; Mister Big breaks maiden in Sam Houston Derby; Lethal Perry much the best in Sam Houston Juvenile; Im A Feature Girl flawless in Merial Texas Distaff Challenge; Cash N FDD Dynasty wins Zoetis Texas Starter Allowance Challenge; Texas Twister; Bank of America Sam Houston Challenge; Emilianos Wagon still the fastest
Thoroughbred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Oaklawn Park: Danza comes through with Arkansas Derby win; Will Take Charge wins Oaklawn Handicap Sunland Park: Raider Red takes Copper Top, Miss BRH wins fillies division; Isn’t He Clever crushes rivals in $75k Sunland Handicap SunRay Park: Tricky R runs away with victory; That’s Who wins Jack Cole Handicap; Design Tobe A Winner speeds in Animas Stakes Lone Star Park Park: Grand Contender lives up to name in Texas Mile; Lasting Bubbles takes home Wayne Hanks Stakes trophy Emerald Downs: Belt collars Follow My Tracks; Mike Man’s Gold outduels I Keep Saying in Emerald Downs feature; Scat Daddybaby sharp in 2014 debut; Strawberry Dawn carries Felipe Valdez back to winner’s circle
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SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5
COVER STORY
Derby Day
a holiday at nation’s racetracks
I
By Todd Fuqua
t’s the first Saturday in May and that means two things: The Kentucky Derby runs at Churchill Downs, and you can share in all the Derby festivities at tracks across the country. True, Churchill Downs is the place to be May 3, when the 140th running of the Derby goes off that evening, but every racetrack in the country will be watching, and doing someAt top, California Chrome’s final thing special for their patrons. workout at Los Alamitos April 26; All tracks feature simulabove, bonnet-bedecked Derby encast wagering on every race at thusiasts at Ruidoso Downs, 2013. Churchill Downs that day, right Above right photo courtesy of Los up to the feature contest. Alamitos; above photo courtesy of California Chrome – the Eugene Heathman likely favorite – drew a huge crowd to his final workout at Los Alamitos April 26 before shipping off to Louisville. He’s the top points-earner, and fans at every track in California – Los Alamitos included – will be watching. Oaklawn, home to Arkansas Derby winner Danza and a Kentucky Derby contender, hosts a BBQ competition on its infield leading right up to the post. Ruidoso Downs is also among the tracks planning special doings, with Billy’s Race Book opening at 9 a.m. for breakfast and the All American Turf Club opening at noon for a lunch buffet. Getting dressed in your finest and drinking mint juleps is also the norm, as Ruidoso Downs will host a women’s hat contest, with the winner receiving $100. Some tracks are starting their season, some are ending them with the Kentucky Derby, as Turf Paradise in Phoenix is celebrating an increase in yearly attendance with its own Derby party. Track officials are expecting about 9,000 fans at Turf Paradise, with yearly attendance at the Arizona oval up by more than 17,000. Todd Fuqua is the former award-winning sports editor for the Ruidoso Free Press, Ruidoso News and Roswell Daily Record. He has written extensively about racing at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, having covered the All American Futurity and Derby for the past 12 years.
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F E AT U R E S T O R Y
Boi George
Ruidoso bound After winning longshot West Texas Futurity, gelding pointed at the mountain Boi George, Adrian A. Ramos up. Photos by Coady Photography
April 13, 2014 • Sunland Park, NM
B
oi George sang a sweet tune April 13 and won the 56th running of the $267,651 West Texas Futurity (Grade 1) at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. One of four runners trained by Gene Burden, Boi George turned on the jets in deep stretch to swarm a world class field of 2-year-old Quarter Horse going 300 yards. Dismissed at 16-1 odds, Boi George and jockey Adrian A. Ramos accelerated past El Damazo to win the prestigious event by one-half length in a fast time of 14.873 seconds, good for a 93 speed index. The up-and-coming star broke from the outside No. 10 post position and was full of run at the wire. Boi George remained unbeaten in two starts and picked up a healthy payday of $125,796 for owners Miguel Gallegos and Mauricio Gallegos. Burden said in a post-race interview, “He qualified from the outside 10 hole in the trials, so I like him coming from that post again, but you never know. There’s a bunch of good ones in that race. He drifted out a bit down the lane and almost ran on top of the track photographer. We will get him ready for the big races at
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Ruidoso this summer.” Boi George paid $34.20 on a $2 win ticket. El Damazo ran a brave race to earn second place under jockey Efrain Vigi. The runner-up trained by Jose Vargas closed with determination in the final stages. He earned $48,177 for owners Daniel Balderrama and Juan Castro. Aka Bugga for trainer Gene Burden and Jm Famous Master for trainer Jose Muela finished in a dead heat for third. Cc Kachina Eagle tried her best a finished fifth, beaten less than one length. Top qualifier and 7-5 favorite First Famous Effort was bumped hard at the break and lost all chance. The son of
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One Famous Eagle finished seventh. Boi George will now point at the All American Triple Crown – the Grade 1, $700,000 Ruidoso Futurity, the Grade 1, $900,000 Rainbow Futurity and the Grade 1, $2.6 million All American Futurity – this summer at Ruidoso Downs. The summer season at Ruidoso Downs starts on May 22 with two days of trials to the Ruidoso Futurity and those trials could be Boi George’s Ruidoso Downs debut. Boi George winning connections. Photo by Coady Photography
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The existing building was originally a buildto-suit constructed for a government agency in 1993. In 2010, the property interior was extensively remodeled and converted for medical office and patient use. Current tenant has been in place since 2010 and lease extends into 2015. Fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. A small, enclosed courtyard is attached to the east wall of the building. Two large and two small restrooms (handicap accessible), 20 private offices for patients, break room. Completely IT/Telecom ready, two front office areas, waiting rooms. 20 parking spaces, high Midtown traffic, access and visibility.
Hear the sounds of the river in the historical Upper Canyon of Ruidoso. New addition includes granite counters, stainless appliances, new plumbing/electrical. Could be separate apartment or office w/separate entrance. Garage, lots of storage/shop underneath home. Great rental revenue potential, lots of options. No updating required – move-in ready. Just reduced!
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Kelly Foster 575-937-1149 kellyfoster4homes@gmail.com Golf Course & Resort Property Specialist, Second Homes MLS #114126 • $149,000 Move-in-ready condo, completely furnished. 3 BD, 3 BA. Close to pool/entrance w/easy access in winter. Enough space for the extended family, great rental potential. Entertain easily for those memory-making moments in the cool summer pines! The excitement of the racetrack is within ear’s shot. Waiting for your personal touch, priced right to sell! Maintenance free makes it easy!
MLS #113927 • $133,000 OWNER WANTS TO PARTNER TO BUILD HOME TO SELL A corner estate lot in the prestigious Rainmakers Golf Community. Surrounded by the beauty that is distinctive at Rainmakers, this lot is waiting for your dream plans to start construction. Corner lot, abundant wildlife and a nationally-recognized golf course – this is the spot for luxury living!
SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5 7
F I R S T S TA RT E R , F I R S T W I N N E R , F I R S T 2 Y O R A C E O F 2 0 1 4
NA’s Leading Freshman Sires 1. QUALITY ROAD, KY 2. HOLD ME BACK, KY 3. SOUTHWESTERN HEAT, NM
SOUTHWESTERN HEAT GONE WEST - XTRA HEAT, BY DIXIELAND HEAT
2014 Fee: $2,500 ZUELLAS HEAT won her career debut in a maiden special weight at Sunland Park in :21.22, nearly matching the track record of :21.20
By SPEIGHTSTOWN, 2nd Leading Sire in 2013
and his 23 stakes winnners recorded the most stakes wins, 36
Out of champion 3YO filly XTRA HEAT, G1 winner of 26 of 35 starts and $2,389,635, a 2014 Hall of Fame nominee
Broodmare sire by DIXIELAND BAND, a top 10 broodmare sire last year
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Inquires to Fred Alexander (915) 539-2176 Office: (915) 539-0040 Fax: (575) 882-1235 • Email: aahorseranch1@aol.com 1713 W. Washington, Anthony, NM 88021 • www.aaranch.org
NEW MEXICO’S LEADING STORM PRODUCER
#1 ACTIVE SIRE IN NM in 2013 & 2014 Lifetime Earnings over $2.5-Million
Sired the Most Stakes Winners (4) & Stakes Wins (6) in the state last year
#5 in North America by 2013 2YO ABC Index at 3.14
3.16 A Runner Index, higher than Giant’s Causeway, Smart Strike, Kitten’s Joy, etc.
9 with $100,000 or more in earnings, including 2013 NM Champion 2YO REAPER ($251,730 to 4, 2014) and 3YO NM Champion HUSH’S STORM ($214,933, SP 2014)
ATTILA’S STORM FOREST WILDCAT-SWEET SYMMETRY, BY MAGESTERIAL
2014 Fee: $3,000
Inquires to Fred Alexander (915) 539-2176 Office: (915) 539-0040 Fax: (575) 882-1235 • Email: aahorseranch1@aol.com 1713 W. Washington, Anthony, NM 88021 • www.aaranch.org
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W I C K E D L Y
F A S T
NEW MEXICO HISTORY MAKER FIRST SIRE TO FINISH AMONG NA FRESHMAN LEADERS
NOW NORTH AMERICA’S #1 SIRE OF 2YOS
2014 Juveniles: Trial winner RAIDER RED won the Copper Top Futurity to keep a perfect record. DIABOLICAL DAME was runner up in the filly division of the Copper Top Futurity SEVEN STAKES HORSES – No other North American second crop sire has as many. Twenty-one winners, co-leading number from a group that includes sires of two Kentucky Derby runners!
DIABOLICAL artax - bonnie byerly, by dayjur
Adam Coglianese
2014 Fee: $5,000
10 SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5
Inquires to Fred Alexander (915) 539-2176 Office: (915) 539-0040 Fax: (575) 882-1235 • Email: aahorseranch1@aol.com 1713 W. Washington, Anthony, NM 88021 • www.aaranch.org
Two-year-old TWIXY ROLL was an easy maiden special weight winner on 4/8 at Sunland by 1 ¾ in :51.41
BACK SEAT ROLL by Roll Hennessy Roll
WINNERS KEEP ROLLIN’ IN Co-Leading General Sire in New Mexico by 2013 Stakes Winners
Sire of: BACK SEAT ROLL ($276,114) five time winner, four stakes wins; ROLL OUT THE BAND ($148,758 at 2, 2013, 1st Rio Grande Senor Thoroughbred Futurity, Totah S.); HENNESEY SMASH ($252,006, 1st Peppers Pride H., etc.); KISS MY HENNESSY ($219,238) multiple stakes winner, 1, 2 or 3 in 7 stakes!
Sire of a $25,000 yearling in 2013
ROLL HENNESSY ROLL HENNESSY - ROLL OVER BABY, BY ROLLIN ON OVER
2014 Fee: $3,500
Inquires to Fred Alexander (915) 539-2176 Office: (915) 539-0040 Fax: (575) 882-1235 • Email: aahorseranch1@aol.com 1713 W. Washington, Anthony, NM 88021 • www.aaranch.org
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Ruidoso Downs, NM Ruidoso Downs opens for training
Oklahoma City, OK Track records set at Remington
Track records fell like dominos at Remington Park last Horses began training on month, as Pure D Spit, Major the Ruidoso Downs track in Tom and Ms Flashy Dancer preparation for the summer turned in some spectacular racing season that begins on short-course performances. Thursday, May 22, with the Talent and some extra first of two days of trials to the tailwind provided Ms Flashy Grade, 1 $700,000 Ruidoso Dancer with her fourth consecHorses, trainers, jockeys and spectators return to the Ruidoso Downs Futurity. Racetrack in preparation for the upcoming race season. The track opens utive victory April 25 and a new The summer season is Remington Park track record May 22 with two days of trials for the Ruidoso Futurity. highlighted by a number of Photos courtesy of Roberta Harris, Ruidoso Downs Race Track for Paint and Appaloosa racing important additions to the at 330 yards. stakes schedule. A $200,000 A $14,900 Starter Allowguaranteed purse for the All ance event gave Ms Flashy American Gold Cup should Dancer the stage for her fourth attract Quarter Horse racstraight score dating back to ing’s premier older horses, September 2013. The 3-yearthree new $100,000 stakes for old filly also hit the finish in 3-year-olds and the Zia Festival 16.602 seconds over a fast expanding to a two-day event track, aided in part by a tailare some of the innovations in wind of 19 mph. The new mark the stakes schedule. knocks out one set on March In addition to the two days 16 when Call Him Awesome of trials to the Ruidoso Futu(Paint) posted a time of 16.661. rity, there will also be two days Ms Flashy Dancer won a of trials the Grade 1, $900,000 nose-bob photo over 10-yearRainbow Futurity (July 3-4) old veteran Texas Royal Snow. and the Grade 1, $2.6 million TH San Man was moved up to third after Junglebell was All American Futurity (Aug. Sunday, all featuring the best Day (Sept. 1). disqualified from the position 14-15). This is the first year that Ruidoso Downs is still the New Mexico-bred Thoroughand placed sixth for causing each Grade 1 futurity in the breds and Quarter Horses. The only track in North America interference to BV Judys Teller Triple Crown series will have grandstand will be packed projecting to annually host midway through the race. the field comprised of horses with vendors selling Southtwo $2 million races on the Owned by the McAlester, from two days of trials. The western wares. The array of stakes schedule. Okla., partnership of Shawn stakes races and the vendors horses with the five-fastest Three-year-olds now have Smoot and Larry Burnett, Ms make Zia Festival weekend times from each day of trials the added opportunity to race Flashy Dancer is trained by one of the most popular weekbecome eligible to the futurity in three additional $100,000 Rodney Reed and was ridden ends of the season. finals. guaranteed stakes: the 400by Berkley Packer. The 6-5 For complete Ruidoso The season’s ultimate yard Mr Jess Perry (June 7), the wagering favorite, Ms Flashy Downs’ information, go to weekend is Labor Day week440-yard Corona Cartel (July www.raceruidoso.com, visit Dancer paid $4.40 to win, $6.80 end with the All American 19) and the First Down Dash the Ruidoso Downs Race Track to place and $2.10 to show. Gold Cup on Saturday (Aug. (Aug. 31). and Casino Facebook page Texas Royal Snow returned 30), the Grade 1, $2 million This summer the Zia Fesand obtain the latest news by $3.40 to place and $2.20 to (est.) All American Derby on tival (July 26-27) will contest following the Ruidoso Press Sunday (Aug. 31) and the All show. TH San Man paid $2.80 eight stakes races on SaturBox (@RuiPressBox) on Twitter. to show. American Futurity on Labor day and six stakes races on SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5 13
Above, Ms Flashy Dancer, Berkley Packer up. Above right, Pure D Spit, Jesus Salazar up. At right, Major Tom, Jimmy Brooks up. Photos by Dustin Orona Photography
Bred in Oklahoma by Smoot, Ms Flashy Dancer is a 3-year-old Paint filly by Dance Master (tb) from the SF Royal Quick Flash mare Birdys Quick Flash. She won her fourth career race, all part of her streak, and her second at Remington Park. The winner’s check of $8,528 gives Ms Flashy Dancer lifetime earnings of $29,044.
Bred in Oklahoma by Ray Enlow, Pure D Spit was the heavy 1-5 wagering favorite, paying $2.60 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Novas Gold paid $4 to place and $3 330-yard mark falls to show. DM Pure D Spit has become a Shannel was dynamo in starter allowance third and paid racing, racking up four straight $5.40 to show. wins with three of them this The purse season at Remington Park. April for the starter 10, he continued his dominance allowance won of the $10,000-level starter cat- by Pure D Spit egory while setting a 330-yard was $27,800 of track record in the process. which he gains A 6-year-old Oklahoma$15,718. A gelded son of Spit bred who is owned and trained Curl Jess from the Pure D Dash by Rodrigo Covarrubias of mare Pure Princess, Pure D Spit Wichita, Kan., Pure D Spit had now boasts total career earnto work for the score. Under jockey Jesus Salazar, Pure D Spit ings of $153,676. He has won 12 of 33 career starts with five rallied outside of early leader victories at Remington Park. Novas Gold to just get up for victory by a nose at the finish, A major victory stopping the clock in 16.323 seconds over the fast track. For the second occasion This Candys Awesome on this season, Major Tom rolled March 16 had set the old 330over his competition in Remyard record with a clocking of ington Park stakes action while 16.344. Pure D Spit lowered the posting a new track record for mark by .021 of a second. 400 yards in Paint & Appaloosa 14 SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5
competition April 19. Major Tom, the lone Appaloosa in the Grade 1 Mister Lewie against six Paint foes, covered the distance in 19.414 seconds under a complete hand-ride by jockey Jimmy Brooks. Trained by Eddie D Willis, Major Tom has now won seven of eight lifetime races. The 3-year-old gelded son of Red Storm Cat (QH) from the Mr Eye Opener (QH) mare Eyesa Knockout is owned by Mary Hainline of Noble, Okla. The winning 2-5 favorite paid
$2.80 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Power Possum finished second and paid $3.60 to place and $3 to show. Judys Miss Banks ran third and paid $2.60 to show. Major Tom has won six straight races dating to May last year when he won his trial for the Speedhorse/Graham Farms Paint & Appaloosa Futurity. Only a 3-year-old, facing older runners for the first time in the Mister Lewie, Major Tom’s 400-yard time was actually .002 faster than the clocking of This Candys Awesome in the Remington Park Derby for American Quarter Horses. Major Tom broke the 2006 Remington Park mark for Paint/ Appaloosa of racing of 19.552 set by all-time Paint leader Got Country Grip. The Mister Lewie win is worth another $24,492 to Major Tom, making his new total $191,323. He was bred in Oklahoma by Gary Vaughn.
Sunland Park, NM Chitu Named Horse of Meet at Sunland Park
Chitu, the winner of the meet’s richest race, was named horse of the meet at Sunland Park Racetrack, which ended its 76-day season on April 15. A 3-year-old son of Henny
Hughes racing for Charles and Susan Chu’s Tanma Corporation and trained by Bob Baffert, Chitu scored a 2¼-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile, $800,000 Sunland Derby (Grade 3) on March 23. The colt currently ranks 13th on the Kentucky Derby points qualifier list, and he is likely to make his next start in the 1¼-mile, $2 million Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) at Churchill Downs May 3. The Sunland Park meet was also marked by a trackrecord attendance figure, as 18,642 attended the track’s Sunland Derby Day card. Chitu was also named the meet’s top 3-year-old Thoroughbred. Other Thoroughbred season honors went to Sunland Park Oaks winner Awesome Baby (top 3-year-old filly), Riley Allison Futurity winner Rebranded (top 2-year-old colt or gelding), African Rose (top older mare), Homerun Berti and Warren’s Knockout (co-top sprinters), and Isn’t He Clever (top router). The following Thoroughbreds were honored as the top New Mexico-breds during the meet -- Rose’s Desert and Tricky R. (co-top older mares), Proceed (top 2-year-old), Miss B R H (top 2-year-old filly), High Test Gal (top 3-year-old filly), Reaper (top 3-year-old colt or gelding), Mr. Wizard (top older horse), and Devons Ca Ching (top sprinter). Feature Mr Bojangles was named Sunland Park’s Quarter Horse of the Meet. A 5-yearold stallion by Feature Mr Jess racing for R.D. Hubbard and Heysol Howlet from the barn of Paul Jones, Feature Mr Bojan-
At far left, Chitu winning the Sunland Derby, Martin Garcia up. At left, Feature Mr Bojangles, Cody Jensen up. Photos by Coady Photography
Sunland Park’s leading owner with 20 wins. More than $19 million in purses were paid during the 76-day meet, an average of $251,200 per day. Average daily handle for the meet reached $729,654, an 8.5-percent decrease from the 2012-13 season. gles won the Dec. 29, $350,000 Riley Allison Futurity with Tony The total on-track handle of $5,631,692 was down slightly Championship at Sunland Park Pennington’s Rebranded. Ry Eikleberry was Sunfrom last season’s $5,638,096. (Grade 1). “We were encouraged that Other open Quarter Horse land’s leading Thoroughbred jockey for the second consecu- our on-track business was so awards went to West Texas tive season. Eikleberry rode close to the previous year, and Futurity (Grade 2) winner Boi the winners of 97 races from we broke our all-time record George (top 2-year-old colt 366 mounts. He also won four for attendance on Sunland or gelding), West Texas Derby Quarter Horse races at the Derby Day,” said director of (Grade 3) winner I Azoomed track, which pushed his season racing Dustin Dix. “Our off-track You Knew (top 3-year-old colt combined total to 101 wins. support was hurt by the bad or gelding), TF Featured Effort Eikleberry plans to ride at Canweather on the East Coast in and Feature Mr Who (co-top terbury Park in Minnesota this the winter, and the added racolder horse), and Fire On The summer. ing competition on Tuesdays.” Fly (top 870 horse). Wes Giles led all Quarter Dix also reported that SunThe following New MexicoHorse trainers with 27 wins land Park’s average field size of bred Quarter Horses were from 123 starters, while Esgar 8.84 horses per race was down also honored – New Mexican Ramirez was the meet’s leading from last year’s 9.03. Spring Futurity (RG2) winner Quarter Horse jockey. Ramirez “We’re going to look at Winning Merlot (top state-bred is a seven-time Sunland Park ways to reverse these declines 2-year-old filly), Spring Futurity jockey champion. for our 2014-15 season,” Dix runner-up Dungarees Version Judge Lanier Racing was added. (top state-bred 2-year-old colt or gelding), Too Flash For You (top state-bred 3-year-old colt or gelding), Woodys Allstar (top state-bred 3-year-old filly, and Here Kittykittykitty (top older state-bred horse). Lincoln County New Mexico’s sports authority Another record was set in www.FuquaSports.com Sunland Park’s Thoroughbred trainer standings, as leading 575-937-0344 trainer Justin Evans won 93 ractodd@fuquasports.com es from 324 starters. Evans won eight stakes during the season, Like me on Facebook • Visit my Twitter page including the Dec. 22, $104,800
TODD FUQUA
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R AC I N G CO M M I S S I O N B R I E F S Lexington, KY RCI Model Rule changes adopted
as much of the medication does not reach the target tissue. Based upon the RMTC’s Scientific Isoflupredone acetate is a corticosteThe membership of Racing ComAdvisory Committee’s review of existing roid that can be used for the treatment of missioners International (RCI) this week research and pharmacokinetic data availallergic, musculoskeletal, and inflammatoapproved several modifications to the able from studies in Europe and the United ry processes in the horse. It can be association’s Model Rules. States, the RCI adopted the RMTC recomadministered via intra-articular, The RCI Members approved mended interim threshold of 1 ng/mL of intravenous and intra-musa recommendation by the urine with a 72-hour withdrawal guideline. cular/subcutaneous routes. Drug Testing Standards and The RCI also adopted a number of RCI approved a threshold of Practices and Model Rules revisions to its Model Rules affecting Stan100 pg/mL in plasma based Committees to remove the dardbred Racing that had previously been upon the subcutaneous (10 words “Restricted Adminapproved for thoroughbred racing. Adopmg) and intra-articular (20 istrative Time” and replace mg) doses. The recommended tions of these rules were delayed to give them with “Recommended Standardbred Horsemen’s organizations withdrawal time is 7 days, Withdrawal Time” on the RCI the opportunity to comment. None did. based upon the research analysis Controlled Therapeutic SubstancSpecifically, RCI approved additional performed by the Racing Medication and es Schedule. This change was considered restrictions on shock wave therapy to Testing Consortium (RMTC). after a request from the United States standardbred races, requiring that maTrotting Association, American Association chines in use be registered and approved Albuterol: of Equine Practitioners, and the Racing by the racing commission. All treatments Albuterol is indicated for the relief of Medication and Testing Consortium. must be reported within 24 hours prior bronchospasm and bronchoconstriction RCI also voted to make the following to treatment. The location of any such modifications to the Controlled Therapeu- in horses with reversible airway obstrucmachine would also need to be disclosed. tion and is effective for up to 7 hour as a tic Substance Schedule: Previously RCI adopted rules that prohibit Reduce the current regulatory thresh- bronchodilator. Albuterol is administered treatments within 10 days of racing, affectold for Ketoprofen from 10 ng/mL of either as an intra-nasal aerosol (either via ing all breeds. plasma or serum to 2ng/ml. This would intra-nasal apparatus or mask – depending A modification previously made aftranslate into a primary (24 hour) and sec- upon which delivery method is available) fecting certain thresholds for the androondary (48 hour) threshold for Ketoprofen or orally. The oral preparations are subject genic-anabolic steroids in flat racing were in plasma or serum. Ketoprofen is a nonto very high first-pass metabolism and formally adopted for standardbred racing steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic poor systemic bioavailability. Oral prodas was a technical change to eliminate remedication which is approved by the US ucts have not been extensively studied dundant language pertaining to anti-ulcer Food and Drug Administration for use in and should be used with caution. medications. horses as Ketofen®. The RMTC has indicated that AlbRCI also adopted an amendment to Modify the recommended withdrawal uterol administered by inhalation at a provide greater clarification that a thortime for Flunixen from 24 hours to 32 total dose of 360 mcg resulted in a 70 oughbred horse is to be considered inelihours. This change is based on analysis of percent increase in pulmonary function gible to race if wholly or partially owned a recent research project conducted by within 5 minutes of administration. While by a person or spouse of a person who for the RMTC. a 360 mcg dose is sufficient to cause this any reason has been deemed ineligible to RCI also voted to make the following change, the researchers determined that, be licensed or participate in that jurisdicadditions to the Controlled Therapeutic if using a mask system (such as an Aero tion. The model rule presumes that the Substance Schedule: disqualified person and spouse constitute Mask™), a 720 mcg dose should be used
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Isoflupredone:
Durenberger, who is also an attorney, has been involved as a regulatory veterinarian and racing official in multiple jurisdictions since becoming involved with racing in 1991. She is an accredited Steward and member of the Racing Officials Accreditation Program Education Committee. She serves on the AAEP Ethics and Professional Conduct Committee, the RCI Model Rules and Drug Testing Standards and Practices Committees, as well as the Jockey Club’s Racing Equipment and Safety Committee. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Law Association and is active with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Safety John Ward named RCI chair, and Integrity Alliance. Lamberth and Durenberger “At a critical time for the racing elected officers industry RCI continues to demonstrate A renowned Thoroughbred trainer, proficiency and leadership in a number of long time horse owner and a leading areas essential to the sport. The collective regulatory veterinarian are the new ofinvolvement of our Members, working in ficers of the Association of Racing Comconsultation with the various breeds and missioners for 2014-15, RCI President Ed industry leaders has resulted in important Martin announced today. advances designed to safeguard horses John Ward, the Executive Director of as well as the integrity of the sport,” RCI the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, was automatically elevated to become the President Ed Martin said. Those advances include widespread adherence to RCI/ RCI Chairman this month. Ward is a long RMTC lab standards, increased reliance time director of the Racing Medication on pre-race veterinarian examinations, and Testing Consortium and a founding limits on toe grabs, development of unimember and past president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association as well as versal totalizator system standards, and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and increased training and accreditation for racing officials. Breeders Association. “The expertise represented in the Ward has also served on the TOBA RCI leadership and Board is balanced, Sales Integrity Task Force and the Kenand represents every aspect of the sport. tucky Equine Drug Research Council and Veterinarians, owners, trainers, fans, those as a Member of the Kentucky Horse Racwho know business, those who know racing Commission. In 2002, he and his wife ing, and those who understand governDonna were named recipients of the 2002 ment. RCI is truly independent with no Kentucky Thoroughbred Media’s “Ambasagenda other than to protect these great sadors of Racing Award.” All RCI officers serve for a term of one sports by safeguarding our athletes and participants as well as the public interest,” year. Ward replaces Duncan Patterson he said. who is the current Chair of the Delaware RCI is incorporated in the United Thoroughbred Racing Commission. States as a not-for-profit 501(c)(6). It is the Arkansas Racing Commissioner Mark same legal structure as the NFL, although Lamberth was elected to be Chair-elect it is currently only empowered to funcby the newly elected RCI Board. Lamberth tion in an advisory and supportive role to has owned horses since 1985 and prior the government regulators of horse and to his appointment to the commission, greyhound racing, who comprise its votserved on the Board of the Arkansas ing members. HBPA. He is a prominent business leader in his state and serves on the RCI Model Lack of compounding pharmacy Rules and Equine Welfare Committees. enforcement making racing Massachusetts Director of Racing Jennifer Durenberger, DMV, was elected integrity more elusive to serve as the association’s Treasurer. Dr. RCI’s 80th annual conference opened a single financial entity with respect to the ownership of the horse. RCI Model Rules represent best practice regulatory policy developed by the collective deliberations of racing regulators in consultation with industry representatives. RCI Model Rules are recommendations and the association has no direct regulatory power. In some cases, commissions, states and the Canadian federal government have adopted “by reference” portions of the RCI Model Rules, giving the rules the force of law in those jurisdictions.
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this week in Lexington with calls for increased diligence on the part of the US Federal Government to commit resources and enforce its current laws governing compounding pharmacies and the distribution and use of illegal substances which are being confiscated by commission investigators at racetracks. “The failure of the federal government to enforce its laws is making our job harder,” RCI President Ed Martin said at the conclusion of a panel on Regulatory Veterinarian and Racing Investigator Needs. Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Equine Medical Director Dr. Mary Scollay briefed the attendees on substances coming from compounded laboratories and the difference between those that are legal and those not. In short, appropriate substances are those prescribed by a veterinarian to treat a specific horse following a specific diagnosis utilizing substances that have been authorized by the FDA directly for horses or extra label use. “Veterinarians and individuals who administer illegal compounded substances are crossing the line,” Dr. Scollay said. Martin noted that several racing commissions had complained to the federal government more than a year ago, presenting information about illegal substances being marketed and distributed by compounding pharmacies in various states. To date no indictments have come down. Chris Clark, the President of the Organization of Racing Investigators, stressed that it was essential for commissions and racetracks to deploy investigators who are properly trained in order to effectively police the backstretch.
Ruidoso Downs, NM Ruidoso Downs supports Racing Free Clean-Racing program
R
By Ty Wyant
uidoso Downs, which begins the summer racing season May 22, announced its enthusiastic support for the Racing Free program that proactively takes a stance against performance-enhancing drugs in horse racing. Ruidoso Downs has long been an innovator and leader against performanceenhancing drugs in racing Last week, track management affirmed the track’s policy that trainers who have been suspended by the American Quarter Horse Association, 20 SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5
The Jockey Club or any racing jurisdiction will not be allowed to compete at Ruidoso Downs. The incentive-laden Racing Free program started one year ago. A racehorse may be entered in the program for $300 and the owner then receives $1,500 any time a horse in the program wins a race and then receives a clear drug test. The program is backed by numerous racing organizations with similar policy as Ruidoso Downs, including AQHA and Remington Park. “We’re ready for more of the key players to step up and support an organization like Racing Free,” said Racing Free co-founder Micah McKinney. “Racing Free is committed to leveling the field and we’re excited to bring together others who share that commitment.” The record-setting Ruidoso Downs racing season starts with the daylong trials to the Grade 1, $750,000 Ruidoso Futurity Friday and follows with the trials to the Grade 1, $800,000 (est.) Rainbow Derby Saturday. The Grade 1 All American Derby on September 1 projects to have a $2.8-million purse and will pay the all-time largest purse in quarter horse racing. It will also be the richest derby in North America. By comparison, the Kentucky Derby purse is $2-million. On Labor Day, the day after the All American Derby is held, the Grade 1, $2.6-million All American Futurity will be contested. It is the richest 2-year-old race in North America. Also setting records are the Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity and the Grade 1 Rainbow Derby, which are each expected to become $1 million races. 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.
RACE RECAPS - QUARTER HORSE Photo credits:
CALIFORNIA
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: Emily Stevens/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: Reed Palmer Photography Retama Park: Courtesy of Retama Park Sam Houston Race Park: Coady Photography WASHINGTON: Emerald Downs: Courtesy of Emerald Downs
Los Alamitos Race Course, Cypress, CA Fiesty Flo wins La Primera Del Año
Freakier LLC’s Fiesty Flo came close to qualifying to several futurities at Los Alamitos with no luck in 2013, yet in her first derby attempt of the year the sorrel filly not only reached the final, but won it in strong fashion in the Grade 3 $223,800 La Primera Del Año Derby for fillies April 6. Fiesty Flo had the 12th fastest clocking to the PCQHRA Breeders Futurity last Fiesty Flo year and also had times just outside the top 10 in both the Kindergarten Futurity and Ed Burke Million Futurity trials. It was a different story on March 15, as Santiago Mendez piloted the Jose Flores-trainee to a half-length victory in her La Primera trial to give her the fastest qualifying time among the horses in the final. Sent off as the 8-5 favorite, the filly lived up to the billing of favorite, as she led from start to finish en route to an impressive length victory over Ed Allred’s Quirky in a time of 19.634. Racing from the outside post No. 10 in this race, Fiesty Flo’s winning in the final was almost identical to her trial time of 19.631 seconds. Sired by TR Dasher and out of the Bono Jazz mare Sables Bono, Fiesty Flo also matched her full brother’s accomplishment of being a derby winner at Los Alamitos. Her older brother is the Los Alamitos Equine graduate Remembering Spence, the hero of the Los Alamitos Winter Derby last season. Purchased by Julio Encinas of Freakier LLC for $8,500 at the 2012 Los Alamitos Equine Sale, Fiesty Flo now joins Remembering Spence as a derby winner in Orange County, and like her brother, she was bred by Allred, the sport’s all-time leading breeder. Now a winner of three of 10 career starts, Fiesty Flo earned $93,996 for
her evening’s work. A Top 2 finisher eight times in her career, Fiesty Flo also raised her lifetime earnings to $110,981. “We’re very pleased,” said Luis Sierra of Freakier LLC. “She did not make any errors. She had a good start and after the first 200 yards you could see that she started to pull away. She had some good trial races as a 2-year-old, but she wasn’t able to qualify to a final. She would win easy, but not have a fast enough time. She didn’t have luck and sometimes that’s 99 percent of the game. She’s matured a lot now. She’s more professional and definitely a more mature horse. We were expecting her to have this type of an effort.” Cattlemen from Sonora, Mexico, Sierra and Encinas have been good friends for more than 15 years. “I’ve liked horses since I was a kid,” Sierra said. “My family enjoyed horses at the ranch. We’ve been racing horses in Arizona, New Mexico and here in California at Los Alamitos. We have eight horses here right now. Fiesty Flo is our first big winner.” “She just keeps getting better,” Flores said. “She’s really developed and now that she’s got a derby win like Remembering Spence, I hope that she can continue on that path. It was her time. She had bad luck all last year, but I’m happy that she’s SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5 21
Mr Its Country Time
given those guys something back.” There was activity in the starting gate prior to the start of the La Primera, as a few fillies acted up. “She behaved well,” said Mendez of the eventual winner. “She’s always acted well in the gate. She’s a very calm filly. She broke like a shot and she responded great at the end. I saw a couple of horses to my inside and I knew (Grade 1 finalist Sis Is Hot) was right there pressuring us. The competition was difficult, but Fiesty Flo ran her race.” Allred’s Quirky had trouble early on, as she veered out and bumped to find herself in fourth place after breaking from post No. 7. The Stel Corona filly battled back and came on strong at the end, eventually catching Sis Is Hot while holding on to second place. Ridden by Eulices Gomez for trainer James Glenn Jr., Quirky earned $38,046. The Allred-bred had now made $109,286 in her sixrace career. Encinas, Paul Penuelas and Robert Parra’s Sis Is Hot posted a solid effort from post No. 1 on the way running third. Ridden by Cruz Mendez and also saddled by Flores, Sis Is Hot earned $26,856. The Walk Thru Fire filly ran in last year’s Los Alamitos 22 SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5
Katillac Man
Two Million Futurity. “Sis Is Hot ran a heck of a race,” Flores said. “She’s a small filly so I was worried that she would have a tough trip from the inside. I was hoping that Fiesty Flo would draw inside because she runs great from there and that Sis Is Hot would get an outside post. That didn’t happen, but I thought Sis Is Hot did great. She was fighting for second place and Quirky, who is an outstanding filly. I think Sis Is Hot will keep getting better. We’re going to give Fiesty Flo and Sis Is Hot a break and bring them back for the Los Alamitos Super Derby trials (on Oct. 12).” The complete order of finish is as follows: Fiesty Flo, Quirky, Sis Is Hot, Composed Charisma, Princess Teller, She Forgives, Dynasty Of Habits, Babe On Fire, Chalalita and Brighterthanthesun.
yards in a time of :17.430 while earning $11,000 for the effort. The gelding by Country Chicks Man came into this race after crossing the wire in the Winter Derby behind Spirit Leader. Mr Its Country Time was fifth in that $197,000 race, while Spirit Leader finished in second place. Mr Its Country Time was the better of the two talented sophomores in the James Smith Handicap, as he broke perfectly from post No. 4 and never looked back. Bred by Grant Farms LLC, the Louisiana-bred was picking up only his second victory in eight career starts. His only other win was a comfortable decision in the trials to the Winter Derby. “He ran tonight like he ran in the derby trials,” Aleman said. “He’s still a horse that is maturing. His maiden win came in the trials and he started pretty nicely in the Winter Derby final, It’s his time to shine in but tired a little bit at the end. He’s going to keep getting betJames Smith Memorial ter and better. He runs stronger In a battle between Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Derby fi- when he’s had some time off in nalists, Jesus Garera Garcia’s Mr between starts. I think it’s beIts Country Time dominated the cause he runs so hard and gives $20,000 James Smith Memorial it his all every single time. Every Handicap thanks to a wire-tohorse is different and he’s one wire victory over Spirit Leader that needs a little bit of time in at Los Alamitos. between races.” Ridden by Raul Valenzuela Mr Its Country Time will for trainer Juan Aleman, Mr Its be featured in events like the Country Time covered the 350 James Smith in 2014, Aleman
explained. “He’s not paid into any major derbies so we’ll keep running him in handicaps like this one,” he said. “We’ll look into races like the Vessels Maturity for him next season.” Mr Its Country Time improved his career earnings to $34,466. Trained by Paul Jones for Abigail Kawananakoa, Spirit Leader finished in second place for the third race in a row. The son of Corona Cartel was second in both the Winter Derby trial and final to the talented Viva Mi Corazon before posting this runner-up effort. Ridden by Ramon Sanchez, the colt earned $4,500 to take his career earnings to $50,542. Another Storm, China Wall, Well And Good and Sadie Sis completed the field.
LOUISIANA
Delta Downs, Vinton, LA Katillac Man sets record in Delta Dash Delta Downs kicked off its 2014 American Quarter Horse season on April 25 with a 10-
RACE RECAPS - QUARTER HORSE
Dashin Gage
On The Wagon
race program that featured the the fast time after winning speed index of 99. The clocking $20,000 Delta Dash Stakes and the fourth and final trial of the also established a new stakes four qualifying trials for this night. record. year’s $62,810 Old South Derby. Dashin Gage won $30,000 for his victory. His bankroll now The Delta Dash was won Dashin Gage dominates stands at $243,882 on six wins by Rene Amaro’s Katillac Man, John Alleman Memorial from 15 career starts. who was ridden to victory by Delta Downs wrapped up Bred in Louisiana by Margie jockey Martin Rubalcava. Katil- opening weekend of its 2014 lac Man defeated Blaze Carver American Quarter Horse season Loup, Dashin Gage is a 4-yearby a half-length in the 250-yard while hosting the $50,000 John old brown gelding by Oak Tree showdown for older horses. Mr Alleman Memorial Stakes (RG3) Special, out of the Dash Thru Traffic mare Dash Lady Love. Ease Cartel finished another ¾ and seven qualifying trials for of a length behind the top pair this year’s $83,615 Old South On The Wagon fastest in third. Futurity. Katillac Man, who is trained The John Alleman was won to Old South by Robert Meche, covered the In other action on Saturimpressively by Douglas O. distance over a fast track in Traylor’s Dashin Gage, who was day it was Isidro Flores’s On 12.912, which established a ridden to victory by Jose Vega. The Wagon who recorded the new stakes record and resulted Dashin Gage defeated Coppers fastest qualifying time for this in a speed index of 101. year’s $83,615 Old South FutuFit by one length while the The victory by Katillac rity, which will be run on Saturlatter nosed out T Boy C who Man was the eighth of his 20day, May 17. The complete list finished third. race career and it earned him of qualifiers for the Old South Dashin Gage, who is Futurity are listed below. $12,000. His career bankroll trained by Kenneth L. Roberts Sr., covered 350 yards in Delta Downs will begin now stands at $201,800. the John Alleman in 17.200 its second week of racing on Katillac Man is a 5-yearsecond, which earned him a Wednesday night as the track old sorrel gelding by Country Chicks Man, out of the Dash Ta Fame mare Kitty Kat Old South Futurity qualifiers • 2 YO • 350 yards • Final May 17 Horse Time Trial Finish Jockey Trainer Dash. He was bred 1 On the Wagon 16.696 2 1st Martin Rubalcava Isidro Flores in Oklahoma by 2 Jess a Rogue 16.731 4 1st Jose Vega Trey Ellis Richard Joneson. 3 Wild On Da Whiskey 16.744 3 1st Jose Vega Trey Ellis In the 400 4 Sunny and 75 16.755 7 1st Danny Lavergne Kenneth L. Roberts, Sr. yard trials for the 5 Jess Eliesmischief 16.772 2 2nd Danny Lavergne Kenneth L. Roberts, Sr. 6 Jess Toast Winner 16.823 5 1st Martin Rubalcava Rodolfo Sanchez Old South Derby it Come On Man 7 Jw 16.833 6 1st Eddie Cox Jeff Acuna was Mary G. Lynn 8 Coal Fired 16.845 7 2nd John Hamilton Heath Taylor Thompson’s The 9 Mighty Corona Jr 16.850 4 2nd Jorge Linares Wiliam N. Little Eagle Express who 10 Toast With Class 16.876 5 2nd Cesar Zuniga Billy G. Sturrock came away with
goes to a Wednesday-throughSaturday format for the rest of the season. Post times Wednesday and Thursday will be at 6:15 pm CT. Friday’s races will include 14 trials for this year’s Louisiana Lassie Futurity and there will be a special post time of 5:15 pm. Saturday’s action will include 13 trials for the Louisiana Laddie Futurity and there will be an early post time of 5:45 pm that evening.
NEW MEXICO
Sunland Park, NM Winning Merlot takes New Mexican Spring Futurity
Winning Merlot served up a sharp upset win in the $208,965 New Mexican Spring Futurity at 300 yards on April 6. Under jockey Francisco Calderon, the precocious New Mexico-bred filly by Winner Version showed plenty of poise breaking fast from the No. 9 post position. The near 7-1 shot dueled for the early lead and built up a strong burst of momentum to defeat Dungarees Version by a half-length at the wire. Trained by Jackie Riddle, SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5 23
Winning Merlot
Winning Merlot sped through the distance in a fast 15 seconds flat and remained unbeaten in two starts. The sorrel filly earned $99,894 for owners Debra and Joseph Meridyth Jr. of Hobbs. Winning Merlot paid a nice $15.60 to win. Joseph Meridyth indicated that the newly crowned stakes filly will be pointed to the New Mexico-bred futurities at Ruidoso Downs. Dungarees Version and jockey Esgar Ramirez won a tight battle for second place. Trained by Emilio Cadena III, the runner-up held off Midevil Arrow by a head. Dungarees Version earned $38,257 for owner Gary Thompson of Odessa, Texas. Bank Dunit followed up in fourth place. Heavy favorite and top qualifier Quemados Version blew the start and faced an impossible task. The Winners Version colt closed fast but had to settle for 5th place after losing his path. The 4-5 favorite was beaten by about a length.
Feature Mr Who defends title in Bank of America Challenge Feature Mr Who defended his title in $105,480 Bank of America Challenge with another powerful victory going 24 SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5
Feature Mr Who
440 yards. Under jockey Alonso Rivera, Feature Mr Who produced a superior performance winning by one length in a lightningfast 20.76 seconds for the 440 yards. The timing earned a 98 speed index. The victory was his first since winning last year’s Bank of America Challenge in 20.46 seconds. The two bravura victories were separated by exactly one year. Jose Muela is the winning trainer. Feature Mr Who paid $6.40 as the 2-1 favorite. The winning gelding by Feature Mr Jess roared to his 7th career win for owners Heysol Howlet and Julieta Torres of Peyton, Colo. The victory was worth $48,521 pushing his lifetime earnings to nearly $280,000. He is poised for a big year in 2014. Jesscuzican and Testing the Ice finished in a dead-heat for second.
SunRay Park, Farmington, NM Warren’s Knockout holds on in Inaugural Handicap Meteoric trainer Justin
Evans started out the 2014 live racing season at SunRay Park and Casino in much the same fashion with which he wrapped up the Sunland Park season. Evans saddled two winners on the opening day program April 18 at SunRay, including a 1-2 finish in the $35,000 Inaugural Handicap as Warren’s Knockout raced gate-to-wire under jockey Alfredo Juarez Jr., holding off the stubborn late rally of Happy Toes and jockey Elvin Gonzalez. Warren’s Knockout, sent off as the 4-to-5 favorite in the Inaugural in front of an enthusiastic opening day crowd of more than 1,500 spectators, sat chilly behind dueling leaders Cockeyed Cowboy and Wiredfortwotwenty through a
Warren’s Knockout
moderate opening quarter-mile of 23.05 seconds. Juarez moved Warren’s Knockout onto equal terms midway through the far turn and gradually began to inch clear as the field hit the top of the lane. Happy Toes, content to lag a bit further off the early pace, charged up on the outside of the eventual winner in the final yards, but couldn’t get past the stubborn Warren’s Knockout, who completed the six and one-half furlongs in 1:16.39 seconds. “I might not have had him as tight as I wanted him,” Evans said of the winner. “But (Happy Toes) always runs his race. He likes the course and so I was pleased with his effort as well.”
RACE RECAPS - QUARTER HORSE
Im A Fancy PYC
Warren’s Knockout, a 6-year-old California-bred gelding by Stormed returned $3.60 to his backers at the windows. Behind Happy Toes across the wire were Chasing The Heat, Wiredfortwotwenty, Cockeyed Cowboy and Whipstock. Spanish Jazz was scratched earlier in the day. With the win, Warren’s Knockout and owner Len Schermer earned $21,000, increasing the horse’s career earnings to over $411,000 while picking up his 10th win from 33 lifetime starts.
OKLAHOMA
Remington Park, Oklahoma City, OK Remington Park Futurity a close one
The connections of Im A Fancy PYC were ready to have a party on Remington Park Futurity night April 19. They came en masse in support of their colt, and he did not disappoint, winning the restricted Grade 3, $791,000 event for Oklahomabred 2-year-olds by a head. The first five finishers were within a neck of each other at the finish line.
This Candys Awesome
Owned by Dustin Cox of Duncan, Okla., and trained by Joe Thomas Sr., jockey Randy Wilson had the ride on the undefeated colt, now perfect through three starts this season. Cox and his family and friends attended with hopes of celebration and they were extremely boisterous when Im A Fancy PYC’s number was posted first after a photo-finish. “We had 70 of our friends come, probably more than that actually. We’re having a lot of fun. This is truly unbelievable,” Cox said after receiving the trophy for the futurity. “I’m just thrilled with the horse. It takes a lot of racing luck and we’ve had that and that’s all you can ask for. I’m not ashamed of my joy right now. That colt has brought me and my family so much happiness, he’s a special colt.” A trainer’s objections was filed against Im A Fancy PYC when Donnie Strickland, conditioner of Beyond Gold Medal who started just inside of the winner, claimed foul. After review by the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission Stewards, the objection was overruled. “My Dad, Rex Cox, we’ve been around horses a long time and we’ve seen a million races and then some. I didn’t think they would take him down.” Wilson described the start
aboard Im A Fancy PYC and their trip over 330 yards. “When he left there he kind of broke in a little bit and I got into him right-handed and he wanted to edge in. I went left-handed on him to get him straightened out. He came on and luckily we got there first. I’m just happy the wire came when it did.” Im A Fancy PYC held on to win by a head after taking over the lead midway through the race, crossing the line in 16.788 seconds over a fast track. A quartet of foes were all bearing down on the winner making it a close finish with BP Down South in second and another nose back to Great Grace third. It was another nose to fourthplace runner Penthouse Sweet with Beneteau in fifth a neck behind her. Away at 2-1 odds in the wagering, Im A Fancy PYC paid $6.20 to win, $7 to place and $3.40 to show. BP Down South returned $12.20 to place and $5.60 to show. Great Grace was the actual wagering favorite at 8-5 odds, paying $2.60 to show. Im A Fancy PYC is a colt by PYC Paint Your Wagon from the Mr Jess Perry mare First Prize Fancy. He was bred in Oklahoma by Weetona Stanley and William Smith. The winning share of the Remington Park Futu-
rity, $316,400, now gives him $318,178 overall. It was the first Remington Park Futurity win for all of the connections of Im A Fancy PYC.
$298,000 Remington Park Derby
The 3-year-old Oklahomabred stakes event went to This Candys Awesome as she rallied from a slight deficit to win the 400-yard Remington Park Derby, also a restricted Grade 3. Owned and bred by Carl Pevehouse of Ratliff City, Okla., and trained by Clint Crawford, This Candys Awesome overcame an early deficit under jockey G.R. Carter. “The horse right on the inside of me with Jimmy Brooks (Shades Of Blues Girl) just left the gates just getting it on,” Carter noted. “It gave this mare a target to kind of run to and she just gained up and pinned her ears and ran by her. She put in a really gutty performance tonight.” This Candys Awesome covered the 400 yards in 19.416 seconds, finishing a head in front of BP Southern Dynasty while Shades Of Blues Girl, part of a coupled wagering entry with VH Won that went off as the 3-5 favorites, held on for third. A slight underdog at 6-1 odds, This Candys Awesome SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5 25
paid $15.60 to win, $8 to place and $3.80 to show. BP Southern Dynasty paid $9.80 to place and $4.80 to show. Shades Of Blues Girl paid $2.20 to show. The win is the fourth from seven career starts for This Candys Awesome, a filly by PYC Paint Your Wagon from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Send Candy. The firstplace check of $119,200 moves her total bankroll to $170,819. She has now won three races at Remington Park. Rock You The win was the fourth in the Remington Foose from the Strawfly Special Park Derby for GR Carter and the mare Babe On The Fly, Rock You first for the other connections. was bred in California by Steve Burns. The Bob Moore was his $50,990 Bob Moore fourth career win from eight starts and his second in a row Memorial Stakes this season at Remington Park. Rock You left the gate at He now boasts $171,072 in 6-1 odds in the wagering and immediately was bumped hard earnings. The race is named in honor by the 6-5 betting favorite One Valiant Hero, in what resulted in of the late Bob Moore who a thrilling renewal of the Grade based his prominent breed2 Bob Moore Memorial Stakes. ing and racing operation out Despite the early disadvan- of Norman, Okla., where Bob tage, Rock You rushed back into Moore Farms still exists today. Moore was a major part of the contention and at the end of the 300-yard contest prevailed movement to legalize pariby a neck in a fast winning time mutuel racing in Oklahoma in the early 1980s. of 15.062 seconds. He earned $30,000 for his owners Reliance Ranches of Llano, Texas and is $74,750 Laico Bird trained by Eddie Williswhile rid- Stakes den by Omar Reyes. PYB Place Your Bet outRock You paid $15.40 to classed her competition with a win, $4.60 to place and $3.40 to convincing win in the Laico Bird show. One Valiant Hero gamely Stakes for 2-year-old Oklahofinished second a neck behind ma-breds at 330 yards, winning the winner, paying $3.40 to by three-quarters of a length. place and $2.40 to show. Joker After having recently On Jack finished third to pay $4. finished second in the Grade A 3-year-old gelded son of 3 Oklahoma Futurity at Rem26 SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5
PYB Place Your Bet
third straight win of 2014 by taking the Mr Master Bug. Owned by the Noble, Okla., partnership of Charles Hainline and Jimmy Jones, Painted Laico Bird is trained by Luz Chavira. JockeyIvan Carnero was up for the victory as the Painted Laico Bird defeated heavy 1-2 wagering favorite Coronado Cartel to win by a neck. BP Wagon Train was another half-length back for third. Painted Laico Bird handled the 350 yards of the Mr Master Bug in 17.363 seconds over a fast track at odds of 9-2. She paid $11.60 to win, $3.40 to place and $3 to show. Coronado Cartel paid $2.60 to place and $2.20 to show. BP Wagon Train returned $3.20 to show. The win was the fourth from nine career starts for Painted Laico Bird with all of the wins taking place at Remington Park. She is by PYC Paint Your Wagon from the Call Me Together mare Laico Bird Chic and was bred in Oklahoma by Jimmy Jones. The first-place check of $43,800 in the Mr Master Bug boosts her career bankroll to $90,460. The Mr Master Bug is named after the 1982 All AmeriPainted Laico Bird wins can Futurity winner. He was a multiple American Quarter Mr Master Bug Painted Laico Bird is quickly Horse Association Champion, racing for Marvin and Lela rising through the ranks this Barnes of Ada, Okla. season as she racked up her ington Park in March, the 3-5 wagering favorite covered the 330 yards in a final time of 16.643 seconds. Owned by Georgina Chavira and Rita Sosa of Purcell, Okla., and trained by Luz Chavira, PYB Place Your Bet was ridden by Ivan Carnero. She took over midway through the race, finishing in front of Pymp Your Wagon with Awesome Ashley another neck back in third. PYB Place Your Bet paid $3.40 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show. Pymp Your Wagon paid $4.60 to place and $3.20 to show. Awesome Ashley returned $4.40 to show. Bred in Oklahoma by Connie Nobles, the 2-year-old filly by PYC Paint Your Wagon is from the Runaway Winner mare Fashion Dashin. The win is her second in three attempts overall, all this season at Remington Park. She made $44,634 to run her total money to $113,508. The Laico Bird Stakes is named in honor of the winner of the 1967 All American Futurity and American Quarter Horse Association World Champion who was an Oklahoma-bred.
RACE RECAPS - QUARTER HORSE
Painted Laico Bird
Count it: Count De Monet entry was the betting favorite at 3-5 odds. wins Juvenile
Texas Silk
seconds over a fast track. “He left there tonight. I Count De Monet is by figure if he left he was the best April 20 at Remington Park Brimmerton from the Chicks horse in the race,” Packer noted featured a pair of OklahomaBeduino mare Royal Delphias from the winner’s circle. “He bred stakes events as 3-yearChick and was bred by Vaughn ran lights out tonight. He didn’t olds went to the gate in the and Jill Cook. The Juvenile win leave last time (in trial) and $73,000 Mr Master Bug Stakes earned him $40,000. came flying to win.” while 2-year-olds battled in Owner Charles Leggett the $100,000 Remington Park was pleased that some extra Texas Silk rolls in Juvenile. morning training for Texas Silk A field of 10 OklahomaAmerican Paint Classic paid off with a smooth run in bred 2-year-olds that competed The Leggett family of in trials for the Remington Park Muskogee, Okla., enjoyed April the final. “I think he was ready to go. He’s been schooling in Futurity but did not make that 26 at Remington Park winning final, had their chance on Easter first the Grade 1 American Paint the gates and he did a good job in the Juvenile Stakes at 330 Derby then the Grade 1 Ameri- tonight.” Texas Silk was 5-1 in the yards. Count De Monet used a can Paint Classic Futurity. In wagering and paid $12.60 to sharp start and fighting effort the latter, Texas Silk was nearly to fend off rivals to capture the perfect as he won the event by win, $5.60 to place and $4.60 to show. Fabulous Dos was win by a neck. a half-length. away well to challenge Texas Owned by Bobby Cox of Texas Silk won the Grade Silk throughout the futurity Fort Worth, Texas, and trained 1, $103,400 American Paint but could never get by, settling by John Buchanan, Count De Classic Futurity for owner Monet was ridden by Russel for second while paying $34 Charles Leggett after earlier in Hadley. The gelding crossed the the night, his son Wade Leggett to place and $14.20 to show. finish in 16.887 seconds and Dashin JJ rallied for third and had a big score when his picked up his first career victory Situation scored the Grade 1, paid $4.60 to show. from two attempts. High On Mary Jane and The $35,100 American Paint Derby. Dismissed at 13-1 odds in Perfection was not the case Punk were coupled in the wathe wagering, Count De Monet for Texas Silk in his qualifying gering as a same owner entry paid $29 to win, $9 to place and trial for the American Paint for the Paint Horse Queens of $6 to show. Days Gone Down Coweta, Okla. They went off as Classic Futurity. Although he was up for second, returning the betting favorite at 6-5 odds won the trial, he had to over$8.80 to place and $6 to show. come a poor start that put him and finished seventh and ninth A Dashing Valentine was a head behind traffic, then he altered respectively. behind the runner-up for third course before splitting rivals Dee Keener is the trainer and paid $3.60 to show. BP of Texas Silk. His athletes were to win the heat. Jockey BerkMariahs Valentine was fourth ley Packer had no such chalprominent in the futurity as he and was coupled in the walenge in the final, crossing the saddled four of the 10 runners gering with BP First Class. The 350-yard finish line in 17.910 in the race. He also started High
On Mary Jane, The Punk and Cocked An Loaded (10th). Texas Silk has won two of four career starts, all this season at Remington Park. Bred in Oklahoma by H.T. and Kay Churchwell, 2-year-old Texas Silk is by Texas Six from the Judys Lineage mare Judys Silk. He earned $39,292 for the American Paint Classic Futurity to boost his overall bankroll to $43,287.
American Paint Derby
Situation completed an American Paint Futurity/Derby Double, winning the derby by a half-length. He won the futurity in 2013 by a neck. Jockey Jesus Salazar was up for both victories. Situation easily ran down early leader and even-money wagering favorite Imflashinthechicks, taking the lead late in the 400-yard race before winning in 20.222 seconds. Purty Porunos rallied for second while Turbulence was third. Situation was 5-1 in the wagering and paid $13.40 to win, $4 to place and $3.40 to show. Purty Porunos paid $10.40 to place and $5 to show. Turbulence returned $3.60 to show. Imflashinthechicks finished fourth as the beaten favorite. “We won the derby in the SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5 27
Situation
third race and dad’s horse won the futurity. It’s an awesome night,” said Situation’s owner and breeder Wade Leggett of the family success Saturday. The winner’s share of the American Paint Derby was $15,795 and boosted his total money to $128,877. Situation is a 3-year-old Oklahoma-bred gelding by SF Royal Quick Flash from the Corona Cartel mare Corona Lace. Trained by Cody McCart, Situation has now won three career races from 10 attempts with all of the wins at Remington Park. A series of trials was held Saturday to determine finalists in four different American Quarter Horse Association Challenge stakes races to be contested on May 11.
Red Cell Distance Challenge
Distance horses qualified for the Red Cell Remington Park Distance Challenge at 870 yards. A field of eight was determined with Mixed Fantasy (45.887 seconds.) the top qualifier in the second of two trials. Mixed Fantasy is owned by J K Running Horses of Neosho Falls, Kan., and trained by Kenny Laymon, G.R. Carter was up for the trial win. Joining Mixed Fantasy in the Red Cell Remington Park 28 SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5
Mixed Fantasy
Distance Challenge will be My Bandera Beauty, the winner of the first trial, 45.933; SRD Bobwirebob, 45.945; Call Her Hero, 46.205; Cashin The Wagon, 46.296; Smooth As Iyce, 46.686 and De Passem Okey, 46.686.
Merial Distaff Challenge
The Merial Remington Park Distaff Challenge field of 10 was set as Entrap posted the top time of two trials at 400 yards in 20.026 seconds. Owned the Guthrie, Texas, partnership of Johnny Trotter and Burnett Ranches, Entrap is trained by Trey Wood and was ridden by Ricky Ramirez. Joining Entrap in the Merial Remington Park Distaff Challenge: Shanachee, 20.104; Saving Shirley, 20.141; Fate Cant Weight, 20.144; Ianna, 20.152; A Priceless Gal, 20.365; Coronas Ice Maiden, 20.384; Sooner Country Babe, 20.417; Flyin High Secret, 20.440 and Jaylo Caliente, 20.469.
Bank of America Challenge
At 440-yards, the Bank of America Oklahoma Challenge Championship is conducted at the classic Quarter Horse distance. River Wind posted the top time from two trials in the second heat, crossing the finish in 21.815 seconds. Owned by
Joe Williams of Broken Arrow, Okla., and trained by Michelle Hurdle, River Wind was ridden by Benito Baca. The remainder of the field for the Bank of America Oklahoma Challenge Championship is BF Farm Boy, winner of the first trial, 21.848; The Magic Dash, 22.073; El Duero, 22.092; SM Chicksastreakin, 22.115; Jess A Runner, 22.134; Really A Fantasy, 22.170; Separate Cartel, 22.235; ALS Big Hit, 22.237 and All Out Arrogant, 22.278.
TEXAS
Sam Houston Race Park, Houston, TX Kiss My Hocks sensational in Sam Houston Futurity
The finals of the richest race of the 2014 Quarter Horse Meeting, the $563,950 Sam Houston Futurity (Grade Zoetis Allowance 2) took place at Sam Houston Challenge Race Park, and it’s safe to say, The low-level claiming that another star has emerged. horses competed in a pair of Kiss My Hocks drew contrials for the Zoetis Remington siderable attention when he Park Starter Allowance Chalran in trials here on March 29. lenge with Prime Country putNot only did the son of Temptting up the top 350-yard time ing Dash win his 330-yard trial in trial one, 18.053 seconds. in a time of 16.433, he broke a Owned by Oscar Padilla of track record of 16:514 seconds Kingfisher, Okla., and trained by set on July 5, 2002 by Pies Clement Hurtado, Prime Country was ridden by Juan Vazquez. Power Play. Trainer Toby Keeton had all Also in the Zoetis Starter the faith in the world in his colt, Allowance Challenge at Remreporting that he came out of ington Park will be Plan An the trial in peak condition and Atac, 18.132; Rock Zar, 18.192; Im Beau Brown, 18.194; SLP would run an equally good American Soldier, 18.224; Sheza race in the final. Runaway Chick, 18.256; Dames “Never fear when Toby Mr James, 18.334; Royal Darius, is near,” quipped the popular 18.341; Papa Jack Coleman, conditioner. 18.598 and Bennington, also at However, Keeton was not 18.598. near this evening. He was at
RACE RECAPS - QUARTER HORSE
Kiss My Hocks
Remington Park overseeing the Oklahoma contingent, including Jody Pops Zoomerin the Bob Moore Memorial Stakes. His capable wife, Cindi saddled Kiss My Hocks and Keeton was right; there was nothing to fear. The sorrel colt broke from the rail under rider Luis Vivanco and benefitted when Jettin Cosmos and Sixes Down bore out, leaving a clear path on the inside of the track. Vivanco kept his charge to task, crossing the wire in 16.719 seconds, earning a speed index of 99. It was a proud moment for owners Conda Maze and Tyler Graham, who bred the son of Tempting Dash out of the Tres Seis mare Romancing Mary, with John Mayers. “I’ve always told everybody that this horse has not disappointed me a day since I raised him,” said Graham. “We have a good team and he knows he’s a superstar.” “We thank Toby, Cindi and all the boys on the backside,” added Maze. “He’s a special athlete; I come out every morning and love this horse.” This was the first Sam Houston Futurity for Keeton, who will celebrate his 50th birthday on June 6. “I was never worried about the draw,” said Keeton via telephone from Remington Park.
Mister Big
time of :17.576 for the 350-yard final. “The horse has changed since we gelded him,” said Kearl. “Since last fall, he trained like a big horse and not a stud colt.” Windham showed patience with his homebred, who ran in trials for the Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso and qualified for the Texas Classic Futurity at Lone Star, but never found the winner’s circle. “He showed enough talent that if we gelded him and started over that he would do OK and he sure did,” said Windham. “He got out good and I thought they would catch him, but he ran a really great race.” Mister Big was overlooked by the betting public, but rewarded his backers with a win payout of $29. He earned Mister Big breaks maiden $66,920 during the evening.
“The good horses can carry their speed from anywhere.” Glimpse of Dash owned by R. Jaime Flores, ran second with jockey Saul Ramirez Jr. in the irons. “He was running well at the end, but we could not catch the winner,” said Ramirez Jr., who has won the Sam Houston Futurity twice. ”That horse is something special.” Second fastest qualifier, Quic Carter ran third, followed by Cosmo Traffic, Tres Air, Sixes Down, A Cartel Legend, Smile Big Time, String Bet and Jettin Cosmos. Kiss My Hocks returned $5.80 for the win and picked up a winner’s check in the amount of $225,580. Maze said Kiss My Hocks will make his next start at Ruidoso Downs.
in Sam Houston Derby
Six trials were run on Friday, March 28 for the $167,300 Sam Houston Derby (Grade 3). The third-fastest qualifier, Mister Big ran the race of his life to break his maiden and win a graded stake. Bred and owned by Jerry Windham, the 3-year-old son of Shazoom broke like a rocket from the rail under Jose Alvarez. He held off a late charge from Daytona B, posting a final
F
Cartel Arrangement heads into the final with a record of three wins from five starts. Big Dashing Perry, winner of the 2013 Firecracker Futurity at Delta Downs, ran third and SS Paydirt completed the superfecta.
Lethal Perry much the best in Sam Houston Juvenile
The $50,000 Sam Houston Juvenile Stakes kicked off the stakes action on Saturday evening. The stakes featured American Quarter Horses that competed in trials for the Sam Houston Futurity on March 29, but missed the cut-off time of 16.753 seconds. Lethal Perry, owned by JJ Cool L LLC and trained by Trey Wood, ran fourth to fastest qualifier Kiss My Hocks and was
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Lethal Perry
Im A Feature Girl
Meadows with an exceptional effort in the $29,160 Merial Distaff Texas Challenge. With Ricardo Aguirre in the irons, the daughter of Feature Mr Jess broke swiftly to outperform her eight rivals, most notably, the very accomplished Shez Jess Toxic. Im a Feature Girl led gate-to-wire, holding off the late charge of Stoli Angel, to win by a neck. This was the 24th start for the Louisiana-bred mare, and her third win at Sam Houston Race Park. She crossed the wire of the 400-yard stakes in 20.126 seconds. Jorge Haddad Jr. saddled for his father and could not have been more pleased with her effort. “She’s had trouble in some of her starts, but today she pulled through,” said Haddad. “Shez Jess Toxic is a great mare. Im A Feature Girl flawless We’ve run against her four in Merial Texas Distaff times, and last time got beat by a neck. I guess tonight was our Challenge turn.” Jorge Haddad’s 5-year-old Very few racehorses have mare Im a Feature Girl is no hit the board in each of their stranger to the Merial Distaff career races, but fans at Sam Challenge Championship. The Houston Race Park got a talented mare ran third in the chance to see the rare accom2012 final at Prairie Meadows plishment when Shez Jess Toxic and fourth last year at Los Alamitos. ran a solid third this evening. April 26 at Sam Houston The 5-year-old daughter of Race Park she punched her Take Off Jess is bred, owned ticket for a return visit to Prairie and trained by Dean Frey and
gave a leg up to Sam Houston Race Park’s leading rider, Luis Vivanco. “She broke fine,” said Vivanco. “No problems out there.” Im A Feature Girl was sent off at odds of 5-1 and paid $12 for the win. Haddad was unsure of her next start, but said she would definitely represent Texas in the $125,000 Merial Distaff Challenge Championship (Grade 1) at Prairie Meadows on Oct. 18.
clocked at 16.433. The daughter of Mr Jess Perry showed her talent this evening, closed gamely under jockey Esgar Ramirez. Her winning time this evening was 16.896. “All the Wood horses are professional,” said Esgar. “She didn’t break that well, but really finished well.” Blane Wood saddled the filly for his son, Trey. She earned a speed index of 94 and paid $5.60 as the favorite in the sixhorse field. “She had the first race jitters in her trial,” said Wood. “But Esgar figured it out. She didn’t break that well, but got going in the end.” Lovethewayyoulie, owned by Kiss My Hocks owners, Graham and Maze, was second by a neck and Bigtime Connoisseur ran third.
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Cash N FDD Dynasty wins Zoetis Texas Starter Allowance Challenge
The $20,790 Zoetis Texas Starter Allowance Challenge was also contested April 26. The 350-yard race is for Bank of America Racing Challenge-enrolled horses that have started for a claiming price of $5,000 or less within 12 months prior to the sustaining/late payment deadline. It was another stakes victory for trainer Toby Keeton, who won the richest race of the 2014 Sam Houston Quarter Horse season last Saturday, when Kiss My Hocks captured the $563, 950 Sam Houston Futurity. Once again, Keeton left the saddling duties to his wife, Cindi, and Cash N Fdd Dynasty was a convincing winner under
Luis Vivanco. The 4-year-old gelded son of Fdd Dynasty left from the far outside post, and flew to the wire in a final time of 17.819 seconds. This was his first win in five starts at Sam Houston Race Park. Kevin Hogan and Bob McClure co-own the gelding, who was bred in Texas by Mercy Hinklin. “Toby and Cindi found this horse for us last year and he has run first or second for us every time,” said Hogan. “He’s a game runner and one of the most beautiful horses in the barn,” added Keeton. Cash N Fdd Dynasty was the lone stakes favorite of the evening, paying $3.20 for the win. Call of Duty closed well under Francisco Calderon as the runner-up and Agoutis Smoking Jet ran third. Hogan said that they look forward to competing in the $75,000 Zoetis Starter Allowance Challenge Championship at Prairie Meadows on Oct. 18.
Texas Twister
The $15,000 Texas Twister, at 110 yards, returned for its sixth renewal at Sam Houston Race Park. Last year’s Texas Twister runner-up, SS Poker Face Dream, won the lightning fast sprint, surging to the wire in 6.954.
RACE RECAPS - QUARTER HORSE
SS Poker Face Dream
The 4-year-old son of Primetime Dream is trained by Daniel G. Luna and was ridden this evening by Manuel Lara. This was the fifth win from 16 starts for the Texas-bred, owned by Juan Carlos Perez. “He broke super tonight,” said Luna. “This was his best effort. He needed a clean break and that was it. We know he’s fast. Manuel has ridden well for us.” Royally Painted out nodded Lets Get Silk for second and morning-line favorite, Bubba Carver, was fourth. The field of 10 speedsters included 2012 Texas Twister champion, The Hot List, who holds the track record of 6.736 seconds. The 6-year-old son of Streakin La Jolla finished eighth this evening. SS Poker Face Dream ($14) earned $9,000 for the stakes victory.
Bank of America Sam Houston Challenge
Eye Agree
L.R. “Tooter” Jordan trains for Mark E. Rigby, DVM, and gave his owner plenty of credit for his patience. “She’s a great filly; just a bit of a late bloomer,” said Jordan. “Her mama was a 3-year-old champion. Dr. Rigby is a gem to train for. He told me to run her where I wanted, and she showed her talent Thursday night.” Michael Amburn’s Pyc Paint Your Wagon gelding, Paintedinoil posted the second-fastest qualifying time under Jose Alvarez. Trained by Guy Hopkins, the 3-year-old was clocked in 17.978. The complete list of Bank of America Sam Houston Challenge finalists can be viewed at stallionesearch.com.
Eye Agree ran a career best on April 24 evening in trials for the Bank of America Sam Houston Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park. Ridden by Santos Carrizales, the Mr Eye Opener filly crossed the wire in 17.904 seconds, to set the fastest time of 25 starters. Emilianos Wagon
Emilianos Wagon still the fastest
has been a really great horse. He always gives his best and tries hard. He showed it tonight.” After turning in the fastHaddad has bred several est time in qualifying for the prominent Quarter Horses $77,100 Sam Houston Maiden including Ragazzo, El Duero Classic, Emilianos Wagon and Giorgino. He took a minute showed he still had plenty of after the trophy presentation speed in the final April 4, powto talk about the potential of ering to his first stakes score. Emilianos Wagon. The 3-year-old son of “He’s a half-brother to El Pyc Paint Your Wagon is bred, Duero, ” said Haddad. “I feel that owned and trained byJorge he can be one of our best.” Haddad of Seguin, Texas. With Emilianos Wagon is named Saul Ramirez Jr. in the irons, the after Haddad’s second son, bay gelding closed gamely from Emiliano. Older brother Jorge the center of the track, covering Jr. and sister, Giuliana joined 350 yards in 17.748 seconds. Haddad and his wife, Kitty in This was just the sixth start the winner’s circle. for Haddad’s homebred, who Mito Fire, ridden by Mario has matured significantly in the Trujillo,outran his odds of 24-1 last year. in completing the exacta. “We were really confident about tonight,” said Haddad. “He Owned by Gilberto Flores and trained by Bobby Touchet, the Walk Thru Fire gelding won his trial recording the eighth fastest time. He began his career last summer at Ruidoso Downs in trials for both the Rainbow and All American Futurities. Mike Amburn’s Pyc Paint Your Wagon gelding, Paintedinoil under jockey Luis Ramirez, ran third. The final purse of $77,100 surpassed the 2013 purse of $53,400. Haddad has several options for Emilianos Wagon, including the Sam Houston Classic and Firecracker Derby at Delta Downs. SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5 31
arkansas
Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs, AR Danza comes through with Arkansas Derby win
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Danza came in as the lesser heralded stablemate, but is leaving Oaklawn as the 78th winner of the $1 million Arkansas Derby (Grade 1) and with a ticket to the Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) at Churchill Downs after earning 100 points. The winner, sent off as the second highest odds on the board by the crowd of 63,186, returned $84.60, $28.40 and $11 at odds of 40-1. Taking advantage of his rail position under jockey Joe Bravo, Danza settled into third place early as 3-5 favorite Bayern led the field through fractions of :23 3/5 and :47 3/5 for the first half mile. The winner slipped through on the rail as the field entered the stretch, engaged the early leader and then proceeded to draw off convincingly by 4¾ lengths in just his fourth career start. Ride On Curlin, who had been third in both the Southwest and Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn, was bumped at the start and
32 SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5
Danza
raced near the back of the field before rallying late to finish second. Bayern held third. Southwest Stakes winner and Rebel Stakes runner-up Tapiture was fourth and was followed by Conquest Titan, Commissioner, Thundergram and Strong Mandate. “That was a pretty great effort,” Bravo said. “Todd (Pletcher, trainer) was pretty high on the horse and he told me this morning that he was going to be fresh so don’ take anything away from him. Try to save as much as you can and let him run his race. It was textbook, just textbook. Everything unfolded like a dream. That was pretty cool down the lane. It’s really fun to have a special horse like that and have him run like that. I’m not a fortune teller, but hopefully, in a couple of weeks we can do that again. I’m crossing my fingers he’s my Derby horse.” “We were searching for the right race and the right option and it seemed like the Arkansas Derby was the race for us to step out and take our shot,” said Pletcher, who was winning his second straight and record fourth overall Arkansas Derby. “We’re certainly very excited that we did and very proud of the way the horse ran today.” Pletcher won the 2013 edition with Overanalyze. His other two runners were Balto Star (2001) and Graeme Hall (2000). Danza, a Street Boss colt, improved his record to two wins in four starts and the $600,000 first prize increased his
bankroll to $666,428.
Will Take Charge wins Oaklawn Handicap By Sports Network
Eclipse Award winner Will Take Charge came from off the pace to claim his first win as a 4-year-old in Saturday’s $600,000 Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn Park. Trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, the 2013 champion 3-year-old colt was racing fifth in the six-horse field through much of the 1 1/8-mile stakes. Right to Vote was setting the pace as the 2-5 favorite and Revolutionary trailed. With Luis Saez in the saddle, Will Take Charge mounted his rally four wide on the turn for home as Revolutionary also began to move. Revolutionary found some tight quarters coming into the stretch while the favorite surged down the middle of the track to the lead. Will Take Charge did just that by posting a three-quarters length win over Revolutionary followed by Carve, Prayer for Relief, Golden Lad and Right to Vote. Moreno was scratched. The time for the Oaklawn Handicap was 1:49.55 on a fast track. Owned by Willis Horton, Will Take Charge snapped a two-race losing streak with the win. The 4-year-old picked up his seventh career victory in 18 starts. The $360,000 puts his bankroll at $3,665,148. Last year’s champion 3-year-old be-
RACE RECAPS - THOROUGHBRED
Will Take Charge
gan the year with consecutive seconds in the Donn and Santa Anita Handicaps. He suffered a nose loss to Mucho Macho Man in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 2. Will Take Charge won the Pennsylvania Derby and Travers heading into the Breeders’ Cup and was second in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. He closed out his 3-year-old season with a win over Game On Dude in the Clark Handicap. Will Take Charge paid $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10. Revolutionary returned $4 and $3.20, and Carve paid $4.20 to show.
NEW MEXICO
Sunland Park, NM Raider Red takes Copper Top, Miss BRH wins fillies division
Raider Red
Copper Top Futurities. Under a thoughtful ride from Juarez, Raider Red employed a three-wide stalking style in the four and one-half furlong feature as a winning strategy. Raider Red responded boldly on the far turn and swept from third to first and went on for an impressive score. Racing as the 5-2 second favorite, the 2-year-old gelding by Diabolical left no doubts and won with speed in reserve in a time of 52.75 second through some very windy conditions. Raider paid $7.80 to win. Trainer Todd Fincher won his fifth Copper Top title with the precocious gelding. Raider Red earned $38,526 and remains unbeaten in two starts.
Raider Red pulled clear by 3½ lengths under a virtuoso performance from jockey Alfredo Juarez Jr. to win the $77,052 Copper Top Futurity for colts and geldings April 12 at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. The victory was the first Miss BRH part of a Juarez sweep of the
He is owned by Brad King and Dale Taylor. Uncle Fudge closed with interest for trainer Dallas Barton to gain second. The runnerup finished a head in front of Maries H and H. The pace setting Scootin for Gold wound up fourth. The odds-on favorite Roll On Red Raider fizzled in the stretch and finished seventh. Juarez won his second Copper Top Futurity of the day with 29-1 long shot Miss B R H in the $77,953 Copper Top Futurity for fillies. Legendary trainer Fred Danley had an ace up his sleeve and saddled the twoyear-old New Mexico-bred daughter of Squall to a resounding upset win. Miss B R H
took the lead away from Storming Who down the back stretch and would never relinquish control through the spring. Juarez guided the improving filly through the stretch and she opened up at will to score by 3¾ lengths. She paid $60.20 to win and earned $38,976 for longtime Southwest race horse owners Tom Williams and W.T. Stradley. Despite a seven-wide journey, Diabolical Dame served notice to her talent by finishing a fast closing second. The runner-up closed with energy under jockey Dusty Shepherd and finished 1¼ lengths in front stable mate Storming Who and jockey Ruby Gonzalez. The $1 trifecta paid a strong $596.30. One Lethal Blaze remained sharp and won the $85,000 Sunburst Stakes by a neck over 21-1 long shot Sparkling Heart. Under jockey Sergio Becerra Jr., One Lethal Blaze finished boldly to take first prize monies of $51,000. Red hot trainer Gene Burden conditioned the winner for owner David Valdez. The winner is a 3-year-old New Mexico-bred daughter of Chicks A Blazin. She was fourth in the Shue Fly Stakes last January. Becerra and Burden also combined forces to win the $50,000 West Texas Juvenile Stakes with Redneck Baptism. SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5 33
Isn’t He Clever
Tricky R
Isn’t He Clever crushes rivals in $75k Sunland Handicap
doubt that the girl power was full in force. In addition to jockey Nancy Summers and trainer Camie Telford picking up their second stakes win in less than a month, they did it once again with Tricky R, arguably the most impressive filly or mare currently racing in the state of New Mexico and the winner of the $45,000 Russell and Helen Foutz Distaff Handicap. A winner in each of her last five starts and 12 of 24 in her career, the 7-year-old mare by Favorite Trick raced alone on the lead throughout her six and one-half furlong journey through a moderate opening half-mile of 46.32 seconds, then had enough left in the tank to prevail by just under a length over post time favorite Funnyoushouldask in the Foutz, restricted to New Mexico bred fillies and mares. Sent off as the 2-1 second choice in the wagering in front of a crowd of nearly 1,400 fans, Tricky R benefited from an inside post and no significant early pace competition from her 6 rivals in the Foutz. “I expected (Funnyoushouldask) to be closer, but being on the outside like she was, it’s hard to clear and get over,” Summers said after the race. “I liked the post we got because I
drinker Who. Isn’t He Clever carries an impressive career bankroll over of over $617,000 from Isn’t He Clever enjoyed a nine career wins. Dominguez dominant win in the $75,000 said in the winner’s circle, “He Sunland Park Handicap for local loved the slow pace. He relaxed owners Kirk and Judy Robison nicely, especially after coming April 13. Enrique Portillo Gomez off such a fast sprint last time rode the impressive winner out. Enrique said he was on cue for trainer Henry Dominguez. today. He ran an awesome race. The Sunland Park lover exHe seems to love the racetracks ploded past the eighth pole in New Mexico.” and crushed his opponents by nearly 10 lengths in a flawless performance. The 5-year-old gelded son of Smarty Jones rocketed through the 1 and 1/8 miles in near track record time of 1:47.95, just missing GoveSunRay Park, nor Charlie’s Sunland Derby stakes and track record time of Farmington, NM 1:47.54. Dry Summer picked up Tricky R runs away momentum with a wide run to with victory gain second place, three parts On April 19 at SunRay Park of a length in front of Ol Wineand Casino, there was little
34 SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5
could just go straight.” Tricky R also took advantage of a course she likes. Her victory in the Foutz was her third from eight starts at SunRay. “Sharp turns and a short run down the lane definitely helps a lot,” Summers said. A winner last month at Sunland Park in the La Coneja Stakes, also over Funnyoushouldask, Tricky R completed the distance in a final time of 1:17.37 seconds. Tricky R, owned by Ruth Summers and bred in New Mexico by Tony Pickard, earned $27,000 for the win, increasing her lifetime bankroll to just over $287,000 while returning $6.40 to her backers. The 8-to-5 post time favorite Funnyoushouldask closed well to pick up the place, nearly four lengths clear of the rest of the field, headed by Soaring Dea, Applelina, Gossip Dome, CC Manor and Western Way. Swedish Goddess was scratched from the Foutz earlier in the day. Summers and Telford earlier scored as a rider/trainer tandem in the fourth race when Ominous Sky rallied to beat Eveleth in a claiming sprint. On the day, trainer Todd Fincher also picked up a pair of wins, saddling Roll Out The Band to win the seventh race,
RACE RECAPS - THOROUGHBRED
That’s Who
Design Tobe A Winner
and Lady Riesling, who broke her maiden in the final race of the nine-race card.
earnings to over $548,000. A winner of last year’s Land Of Enchantment Stakes at Ruidoso Downs last July, That’s Who also got bragging rights over Mr. Wizard, who had gotten the better of him in each of their last three meetings. That’s Who returned $5.40 to each of his backers at the windows. Following Anziger across the wire were E Bar Way, Mist Ter Noble, Spinning Touch and Gotta Move. Playin Tough was scratched earlier in the day. The victory aboard That’s Who was one of three on the day for Juarez, who also won the fifth race aboard Magnificent Day for trainer Dick Cappelucci, then came back and won the sixth race aboard Golden Emblazon for trainer Brent Elston.
On a racing day that started out with temperatures in the 60s, the afternoon quickly grew colder, with intermittent showers and a stiff headwind that That’s Who wins rarely relented. Jack Cole Handicap “When you come onto the That’s Who had the winbackstretch, the winds really ning response and won the affect you,” Juarez said after the $45,000 Jack Cole Handicap at race. “The dust gets in your face SunRay Park and Casino. and the cold wind really bites The proven multiple stakes you.” winner ended a four-race Juarez, who sat close to the losing streak by winning his pace throughout aboard That’s fourth race from five starts over Who, took advantage of moderSunRay Park soil. Toss in some ate fractions set by Anziger 40-mile per hour winds and on the lead, who ran the first rapidly dropping temperatures half-mile in 47.08 seconds. Sent and you had all the makings for off as the second choice in the a big win by That’s Who in Satwagering at odds of 8-5, That’s urday’s feature for older New Who raced alongside the leader Mexico-bred Thoroughbreds on the far turn and began to going one mile. inch clear at the top of the lane. Braving a stiff headwind Sent off as the 11-to-10 that played havoc for horses, post time favorite, Mr. Wizjockeys and a crowd of over 750 ard may have been left with fans all day long, Alfredo Juarez too much to do under jockey Jr., used a perfect stalk-andDusty Shepherd and considerpounce trip aboard the Joel ing the conditions. The son Marr-trained son of Quinton’s of Premeditation, who raced Gold to wrestle the lead away midpack early, rallied to pick up from longshot Anziger on the the place and was well clear of far turn, then held off favored Anziger across the wire. Mr. Wizard in deep stretch to “I could hear him (Mr. win the Jack Cole by just under Wizard) coming after me in the a length. stretch,” Juarez said. “I was lucky That’s Who covered the one we still had something left.” mile in 1 minute, 36.84 seconds Owned by Sam and Latane and ended a losing streak that Stevens, That’s Who earned his 13th career win from 24 lifetime had gone on for nearly six starts, padding his lifetime months.
Design Tobe A Winner speeds in Animas Stakes
Design Tobe A Winner overcame a troubled start to prove an impressive upset winner of Sunday’s $35,000 Animas Quarter Horse Stakes at SunRay Park and Casino. The 3-year-old filly by Winners Version broke in a bit of a tangle alongside Winter Haven, but recovered quickly to assume the lead just a few jumps after the start of the 400-yard event. Jockey Larry
Gamez held off the late rally of Jess Sandy Jr to prevail by a diminishing neck. Design Tobe A Winner, sent off as the second longest shot on the board at odds of nearly 10-1, picked up her first stakes win and third victory from nine lifetime starts. Bred in Colorado by Russell Vicchrilli, Design Tobe A Winner is owned by James Lynn and trained by Wes Giles. Her victory was worth $21,000 to the winning connections, which increases her lifetime earnings to nearly $41,000. Prior to her win Sunday in the Animas, Design Tobe A Winner was ninth in a field of 10 runners last month in the West Texas Derby at Sunland Park. Her last win came against claiming company at Sunland Park on Feb. 21. “She didn’t get away all that well, but once she found her stride, she went right to the front,” Gamez said. “Thankfully, she had just enough left to get there.” Design Tobe A Winner ran the 400 yards in a fast final time of 19.35 seconds, just one-fifth of a second off the course record. Her winning backers among the crowd of over 800 spectators were rewarded with a return of $21.60 for their $2 investment. SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5 35
Lasting Bubbles
Grand Contender
Jess Sandy Jr, sent off as 2-to-1 favorite under jockey Manuel Gutierrez, was more than a length clear of the field when finishing second. Behind that one across the wire were This Lady Is On Fire, Frans Hero, Famous Edge Of Glory, WR Golden Eagle and Winter Haven. Blazin Lonzo was scratched earlier in the day. On Sunday, jockey Elvin Gonzalez made a bit of history at SunRay Park and Casino, winning on all five of his mounts, including four races in successive order. Gonzalez scored aboard Runawayrick in Sunday’s fourth race for trainer Dominic Duree, then came back to win aboard the Justin Evanstrained Contend in the fifth race. Evans and Gonzalez teamed up twice more on the day, with wins for Mucho Macho Uno in the sixth race and Major Affair in the nightcap. In between those wins, Gonzalez also won the seventh race on the card, scoring with 29.80-to-1 longshot Spring Melody in the seventh race for trainer Kathleen Tohill. Gonzalez has clearly assumed the role of leading rider after the first three days of the live season. He has seven wins from 13 mounts, with five of 36 SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5
those wins coming from Evans’ Borel [Taptowne] he stared letbarn, currently the leading ting go of his horse, I tried to trainer after the first weekend. go together ’cause you know, this is the horse I gotta beat.” And that he did. The winning margin was a half-length at the wire. Fractions for the race were 23.53, 46.52 and 1:10.43. The final time for the mile was 1:36.68. Claimed for $20,000 by owner Maggi Moss at Saratoga Lone Star Park, Grand in August 2012, Grand ConPrairie, TX tender competed in the claiming ranks the rest of that year. Grand Contender lives up to name in Texas Mile In 2013, he moved up to the Grand Contender, trained allowance company, winning a pair before moving up to the by Tom Amoss, dug in and stakes ranks in November of won the duel he fought with 2013. He won the Delta Mile Taptowne down the stretch, Stakes at Delta Downs in his prevailing by a half-length in first attempt at the class jump. the April 26 18th running of His next out was a fourth the Grade 3 Texas Mile at Lone place finish at Fair Grounds Star Park. in the Tenacious Handicap in The 6-year-old gelding by December 2013. From there Strong Contender, hooked up he placed in the Louisiana with rival Taptowne, ridden Handicap last January, placed by Hall of Famer Calvin Borel, again in the Grade 3 Minein the stretch and gamely shaft Handicap in February prevailed under strong urging also at Fairgrounds. Before his by winning local rider, Richard win here tonight, he won the Eramia. Borgata at Delta Downs on “I saw a lot of speed in March 15. the race,” said Eramia. “I think With the win, Grand my horse can be a little more Contender improved his race close, but I saw these two record to 7-3-4 from 21 starts. horses [Smack Ridge and And with the $113,000 share Proud Strike] going a little of the purse increased his caquick, so I took him back and reer earnings to $418,860. Grand Contender paid put him clear outside, I saw Mr.
TEXAS
$9, $4.80, $3.40, runner-up Taptowne returned $3.20 and $2.60. Favorite, Bourbon Courage paid 2.60 to show. Stachys, Smack Ridge, Proud Strike, Forest Mouse, Texas Air and Skip the Pinot completed the order of finish.
Lasting Bubbles takes home Wayne Hanks Stakes trophy
Judy Peek’s Lasting Bubbles showed her class, taking the prize for her second consecutive win in the 18th $50,000 Wayne Hanks Memorial Stakes. The striking sixyear-old gray mare by Pulling Punches loves Lone Star Park. This was her fourth win from seven starts at the Grand Prairie track and her eighth career win from 21 lifetime starts. Trained by Kevin Peek and ridden by Chris Rosier, Lasting Bubbles raced just off the leader, was inside on the turn, shifted three wide near the quarter pole and took the lead at the top of the stretch to draw off by four and one-quarter lengths for the victory. “I knew the pace was a little quick for her, so I stepped to the outside and gave her clear running room,” said jockey Chris Rosier. “It was all the horse. I just had to hang on.”
RACE RECAPS - THOROUGHBRED
Belt
Final time for the six-andone-half-furlongs was 1:18.52 over a fast track with fractions of :22.59 and :45.69. Second went to Joyful Hannah trained by Jimmy Dodwell and Nurse Goodnight ran third for trainer Allen Milligan. Lasting Bubbles earned $30,000 for the win increasing her lifetime earnings to $260,081. Mutuel payoffs were $3.60, $2.60 and $2.20. Runner-up Joyful Hannah returned $4.60 and $3.80. Nurse Goodnight paid $4.80 to show. My Golden Belle, Molly’s Honour, Flashy Pearl, Expect Royalty and Wimbledon Star completed the order of finish.
WASHINGTON
Emerald Downs, Auburn, WA Belt collars Follow My Tracks
Belt rallied past Follow My Tracks and notched a 2¾-length victory April 19 in the $14,375 Rhodes & Associates Purse for 3-year-olds and up at rainy Emerald Downs. With Rocco Bowen up for
Mike Man’s Gold
his meet-leading seventh win, Belt ran 5½ furlongs in 1:03.50 on a sloppy track and paid $4.20, $2.20 and $2.10. Tom Wenzel is the trainer for owner Ron Crockett Inc. Belt stalked the three leaders through four furlongs in :44.84, rallied wide into the lane, collared Follow My Tracks past mid-stretch and drew clear late. A 4-year-old Washingtonbred by Cahill Road-La Mariah, Belt is 2-3-0 in seven lifetime starts, earning $33,052. Follow My Tracks dueled for the lead between horses, edged to the lead on the turn, but was overtaken by Belt in the stretch. Ridden by Juan Gutierrez, Follow My Tracks paid $2.60 and $2.20. Dogleft Left rallied to finish third, paid $3.80 to show, and was followed by Bound to Win and Direct Cost.
Purse at Emerald Downs. Ridden by Javier Matias, Mike Man’s Gold ran six furlongs in a brisk 1:08.01 and paid $9, $4.40 and $6. It was his sixth win in 14 starts for the son of Liberty Gold-Chedoodle, the $9,873 winner’s share pushing his earnings to $128,799. David Martinez is the trainer. Afterward, Keith Swagerty, co-owner of Mike Man’s Gold with William Gallo, said that Chedoodle had given birth earlier Saturday to a full brother to Mike Man’s Gold. All told, offspring of Chedoodle have won seven stakes at Emerald Downs – No Flies On Doodle with four and Mike Man’s Gold three. I Keep Saying, the early leader ridden by Juan Gutierrez, finished second and paid $3.60 and $6.40. A triple winner here last year, I Keep Saying led through fractions of :22.36, :44.32 and :55.89, and Mike Man’s Gold resisted gamely when headed outduels I Keep Saying in by Mike Man’s Gold Emerald Downs feature It was three lengths back A stakes winner at ages 2 to Fist Full of Green, ridden and 3, Mike Man’s Gold already by Eliska Kubinova, and a $6 is showing his class vs. older show payoff. Polish Dollar and Somehorses. Saturday, Mike Man’s Gold where With You completed the out-finished I Keep Saying in a order of finish. King of the Sky driving finish for a half-length and Why Not Be Perfect were victory in the $17,950 Swager- scratched earlier in the day. Polish Dollar, the 6-to-5 ty & Gardner Financial Group
betting favorite, including $3,805 of $5,705 wagered to show, broke a step slow and raced wide on the turn before finishing fourth.
Scat Daddybaby sharp in 2014 debut
Based on his sparkling season debut at Emerald Downs April 20, Scat Daddybaby could be destined for stardom this season at Emerald Downs. With Gallyn Mitchell aboard, the 4-year-old gelding rocketed to a 2¼- length victory over a star-studded field of older allowance horses in the $21,000 Travelodge Auburn Purse. Running six furlongs in a meet-fastest 1:08.20, Scat Daddybaby paid $19.40, $6.80 and $5.40. Bred and owned by Mike and Amy Feuerborn, Scat Daddybaby has won four straight races dating to last August, and is 5-2-0 in 11 starts overall with earnings of $57,487. Robbie Baze is the trainer. Sunday, Scat Daddybaby simply ran the competition into the ground, opening a two-length lead while setting fractions of :21.82 for the quarter-mile and :44.09 for the half. Scat Daddybaby straightened into the lane with a 1½-length lead and had enough in reserve to hold off SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5 37
Scat Daddy
Mr. Bowling for the victory. The 5-to-2 betting favorite ridden by Isaias Enriquez, Mr. Bowling closed strongly to finish second and paid $4.60 and $3.80. It was an encouraging season debut for the graded stakes winner, whose last outing was an 11th in the 2013 Longacres Mile. Speaking of the Longacres Mile, Mike Feurborn said the Grade 3 race could be a target for Scat Daddybaby, a Kentucky-bred by Scat DaddyBianconi Baby who was 2-for-2 at one mile last year. “(Today’s race) was about as good as you could have hoped,” he said. “But it’s just one step.” The Feuerborns ranks No. 2 all-time with 25 stakes wins at Emerald Downs, and in 2012 their brilliant 4-year-old Class Included became only the second filly or mare to be voted Horse of the Meeting. However, they have never won
Strawberry Dawn
the Longacres Mile. Finallygotabentley, ridden by Leslie Mawing, was two lengths back in third place and paid $9.40 to show. Jebrica, Winning Machine, Mike Man’s Gold, Country Rules, Rocky’s Quest, Running Tap and Somewhere With You completed the order of finish. For Mitchell, it was his first win of the season and upped his track record total to 1,349 wins. He is the only jockey to ride a winner all 19 seasons at Emerald Downs. Mawing reached a milestone a race later, becoming the seventh jockey to win 500 races at Emerald Downs, when he guided Claudia’s Cahill to a one-length victory in the nightcap. Mawing, 40, has 2,122 career wins. “Milestones are nice, of course, but I couldn’t have done it without the support of the owners and trainers,” Mawing said.
Strawberry Dawn carries Felipe Valdez back to winner’s circle
2-year-old fillies last year while placing in two stakes races, Strawberry Dawn appears destined to write headlines again The classy 3-year-old filly in 2014. A Washington-bred by Strawberry Dawn rallied for Tribal Rule-Ruby Dawn, Strawan impressive 8½-length vicberry Dawn rallied boldly in tory April 13 in the featured Sunday’s race, going from last $18,900 Muckleshoot Tribal to first around the turn before Purse at Emerald Downs. Ridden by Emerald Downs’ drawing clear late for the easy victory. Her overall record is newcomer Felipe Valdez at 118 pounds, Strawberry Dawn 2-2-0 in five starts with earnran 5½ furlongs in 1:03.08 and ings of $39,113. The Spooners perennially paid $5.40, $2.20 and $2.20. rank near the top of the track’s Dan Markle is the trainer for owners’ standings. In fact, they owners/breeders Sue & Tim have four straight top-10 finishSpooner of Olympia, Wash. es and rank No. 2 all-time with For Valdez, a 35-year-old 157 wins at Emerald Downs. native of Mexico City, the vicCharismata, the 7-to-10 tory was his first since suffering a fractured vertebra December wagering favorite ridden by Isaias Enriquez at 118 pounds, 19, 2010, at Hollywood Park. held second place and paid “I want to thank Dan $2.20 and $2.20. Markle, the Spooners, and K K’s Wonderman, rideverybody else who made this possible,” Valdez said. “It means den by Juan Gutierrez at 119 pounds, finished third and a lot to be able to come back and win a nice race on a good paid $4.60. See My Tail Lites filly like (Strawberry Dawn).” and Simba’s Sis completed the order of finish. One of the track’s top
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38 SureBet RacingNews.com • May 2014 • Vol. 8 No. 5
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Home to FOUR of the Top SEVEN Active Sires in New Mexico ATTILA’S STORM
Sire of 11 Stakes Horses in 2013
DIABOLICAL
Red hot first crop sire, #4 in the U.S., Co-leader by winners (14) and co-second by Stakes Horses (5)
PREMEDITATION
Sire of 52% winners and 53% repeat winners in 2013, led by MR. WIZARD ($212,051)
ROLL HENNESSY ROLL
Co-leader in NM by 2013 stakes winners (4)
Plus—
#1 First crop yearling sire in NM by average price, SOUTHWESTERN HEAT and
accomplished QH Sire GONNA RO SHAM BO
Inquires to Fred Alexander (915) 539-2176 Office: (915) 539-0040 Fax: (575) 882-1235 • Email: aahorseranch1@aol.com 1713 W. Washington, Anthony, NM 88021 • www.aaranch.org