All American Derby Qualifier: A Toss Up

A TOSS UP
S.g. Sweet First Down-Shake Cartel by Corona Cartel

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Race Record: 13-7-3-0 $288,107

Breeder: James Sills (OK)
Owner: James Sills and Abel Flores
Trainer: Eddie Willis
Qualifying Jockey: Jimmy Brooks
Qualifying Time: :21.383 (Trial 3)

Race Record: Sooner State Stakes (RG1) and Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby (R) winner A Toss Up, who most recently was second in the Higheasterjet Stakes (G3) and fifth in the Remington Park Invitational Championship (G1), earned the third-fastest qualifying time for the All American Derby. As rain started to fall during the third Derby trial, A Toss Up dead-heated with Hez Our Secret to win the race with a :21.383.

Breeder: James Sills is a 10-year cumulative breeder. From 158 starts his horses have won 27 races with earnings of more than $670,000. In addition to A Toss Up, he also bred stakes winner Shaken Easy Dash, a half brother to A Toss Up.

Owner: The partnership of James Sills and Abel Flores is based out of Cedar Hill, Texas. The two have started horses 33 times, with 12 wins and $375,963 in earnings. In addition to A Toss Up, they also race stakes winner JS Oceans Dash.

Trainer: A Toss Up is one of two horses qualified by trainer Eddie Willis, the other being fastest qualifier BPs Jumpin Frisco. Willis since 1977 has trained the earners of more than $19.3 million, with 1,174 wins in 7,213 starts. Among his trainees are Grade 1 winners Ragazzo, Southern Takes All, Streakin Down, Outdashing, Redman Running, A Real Man and Oak Tree Special.

Qualifying Jockey: Since 1984, Jimmy Dean Brooks has won 1,041 races in 7,950 starts, including 35 stakes wins. His mounts have earned $10,458,460 and include Grade 1 winners Flying Dino (1998 Remington Park Futurity), Streakin Down (2010 Texas Classic Derby) and Chick On The Take (1999 Ruidoso Futurity).

Pedigree: Sire Sweet First Down is a Grade 1-placed son of all-time leading sire First Down Dash who earned $146,374 in his racing career. From six crops to race, he has sired the earners of more than $2.9 million. He stands at James Ranch at Wayne, Oklahoma.

A graded stakes competitor in her racing career, dam Shake Cartel earned $24,674. She has produced three starters, all of whom are winners. Lead by A Toss Up, she has also produced stakes-placed runners Miss Okey (by Okey Dokey Dale, $46,504) and Cartel Dynasty (by FDD Dynasty, $54,151).