STAKES ROUNDUP: JULY 2005
PAST ROUNDUPS
JULY 29-31
ARAPAHOE PARK: Russ Vicchrilli rode 5-2 second choice Myra Me to a nose win in the $91,000 Rocky Mountain Futurity (G3) on July 30. Racing on a fast track against a 20-mph head wind, the filly by champion Okey Dokey Dale went 350 yards in :17.872 for her second victory in four starts and first stakes win. Chris Gandarilla saddled Myra Me for owners Bill and Marsha Drake of Fort Collins, Colorado.
Bred by Wallace and Jewel Domec of Lucedale, Mississippi, Myra Me became the 19th stakes winner from three crops sired by Okey Dokey Dale, a Grade 2 winner and American Quarter Horse racing’s champion 3-year-old colt in 1999. Okey Dokey Dale’s 221 starters have earned more than $2.1 million and include 114 winners. Myra Me’s dam, the winning Bully Bullion mare Just Like Bully, is a full sister to DG Miss Daisy, the winner of the 1993 Cherry Creek Derby (R) at this track.
Myra Me earned $36,400 to push her earnings to $40,660. Dash Hum Dash, Splashin Champagne, Whos Kissin Who, Eyesa Cool, A True Stoli, Fishin For Cutie, Runnin Ramped, Hustle On Down and Spacey completed the order of finish. Splashin Champagne, Whos Kissin Who and Hustle On Down were coupled in the wagering and sent to post as the 2-1 favorite.
CANTERBURY PARK: Jon and Brant Barley’s A Royal Return came home a length the best in the $34,250 North Central Quarter Horse Racing Association Futurity on Sunday.
The gelded son of Royal Shake Em won his first stakes after finishing second in both the Northlands Futurity (G2) and Kansas Jackpot Prep Futurity (RG3). He has now won four of six races and earned $39,824 for his owner/breeders.
Ridden by Helen Vanek, A Royal Return was trained by Larry Sharp. Running over the 350-yards in a 25mph headwind, he earned a time of :18.192 and an 89 speed index.
Dianetogetcha finished second, followed by Alphas Zoie, Maris Sixaway, Dashers Punk, Go High A Kite, BHR Cash Is Nice, Moon Dane Power, Call Me Bills Scoot and Mr Classic Dash.
A Royal Return is the first stakes winner for dam Dash High Return. A daughter of Zevi (TB) bred by Bobby Cox, she has produced two winners from four starters.
It was a close finish for Callies Corona in Sunday’s Bob Morehouse Memorial Stakes. Running for a purse of $18,700, Tad Legget guided the 4-year-old gelding to a head victory over Well Rock My World. He covered the 400 yards in :20.218. Owned by Robert and Julie Petersen, Callies Corona was trained by Ed Ross Hardy.
Well Rock My World finished a nose ahead of Hot Hoofs N Traffic, followed by CS Flashlight, Beaucoup Joe, CS Night Light, Runnin On Fun, Raffian, UB The Bomb and Pistol Packin Perry.
Bred by Brent and Misty Pollet in Oklahoma, Callies Corona is by Corona Cartel and out of the Hawkin’s Special (TB) mare Special Words. The stakes placed mare also produced multiple stakes winner Eye Opening Special.
EVERGREEN PARK: Sent to post at odds of 6-1 despite her status as the fastest qualifier, Takin On A Judge came from off the pace to win the July 30, (US)$22,188 Bonnett-Brodon Futurity. William Leech saddled and Scott Sterr rode the filly for owners Austin and Arletta Cross of Claresholm, Alberta.
Takin On A Judge covered 350 yards in :18.400 en route to her third victory in four races. Bred by William Thompson of San Diego, California, the filly became the 56th stakes winner sired by champion Takin On The Cash, a 17-year-old stallion by Dash For Cash whose 699 starters have earned more than $11.9 million and include champion A Delightful Dasher. The filly’s dam, the winning Runaway Winner mare A Judge, ran second in the 1997 Miss Princess Handicap (G3) at Los Alamitos. Takin On A Judge represents her first stakes winner.
Jus Twayna, a 14-1 longshot, ran second, a neck in front of Tagulator, and was followed by Struttin Some Stuff, Dare The Eagle, Onlooker, Class A Signature and Jus Do It Te.
Racing for a purse of $37,444US ($45,830CND), a field of eight dueled over 400 yards in the Alberta Bred Derby, with Pete Schoeler’s Poutnlori out on top.
Ridden by Laurina Bugeaud and trained by Eric Crofoot, the Okey Dokey Dale filly covered the ground in :20.200, good for a 97 speed index. She was three-quarters of a length in front of Eyesa Warrior. Lead N Leave Em finished third, followed by The Canadian Prince, Rhythms Dasher, Long Gone Little Sis, Bubbles La Jolla and Okey Dokey Wind.
The win is the fourth of 10 tries for Poutnlori, and her second stakes win. Last year she won the Canadian Cup Futurity (RG3), giving her lifetime earnings of $74,291.
Bred by Bonnett’s Enterprises LTD, Poutnlori is out of the Special Effort mare JA Flaming Candle. She is also the dam of stakes winner JA Runaway Special and stakes placed Dash Effortlessly.
Covering 300 yards on a fast track in :15.689, Shake Em Sixes earned her second win in three outs and first stakes win. The filly, bred by Danny Spiess of Tomball, Texas, became the second stakes winner sired by second-year sire Streakin Sixes, a 9-year-old winning and Grade 3-placed son of Streakin Six. She is the first starter foaled by her dam, the unraced Royal Shake Em mare Sexy Shake.
The winner’s share of the State Fair Futurity purse boosted Shake Em Sixes’ earnings to $8,311. BXT Set The Pace ran second and was followed by Strategic Speed, Varitek, Ima Flyn First Class, Indebtedmiss, All Royal Merit and Dash To Blurr.
Pritzi Malone was the best of the 3-year-olds in the $14,900 State Fair Derby. Covering 300 yards, the brown gelding was a nose victor over Special Partner in :15.526.
Ridden by Jimmy Jordan for trainer C.A. Carruthers, who also bred and owns the horse in partnership with Maxine Carruthers, this is the gelding’s fifth win in 11 starts and his second stakes win. He has earned $20,116.
KR Montana Shake Em finished third, followed by MNV Dash To Win, Viva La Jolla, BXT Cazowboy, Cammie Cousteau and Last Chance Oke Doke.
By Pritzi Dash, Pritzi Malone is the fifth foal out of the winning Tolltac mare Melissa Malone. She has also produced stakes winners Crackin Rosie, Rosie N Me and Famous Malone.
LOS ALAMITOS: This track presented 10 American Quarter Horse stakes on July 30, California Breeders’ Champions Night, before a crowd of 2,731. The richest stakes, the $406,000 Governor’s Cup Futurity (RG1) for state-bred 2-year-olds, was won by Finding Nemo, a homebred Fishers Dash colt racing for James Azevedo and his father-in-law, Charles Boyles. Ridden by Hector Cuevas for trainer Dennis Ekins, Finding Nemo went 350 yards in :17.351 to earn a 99 speed index and break by 4/100ths of a second the stakes record set last year by champion Ocean Runaway.
"My father-in-law has had to battle cancer these last few months, but he is doing a lot better right now," said Azevedo. "To have him standing here looking good, that's the biggest thrill of all. It's emotional for him but this is also a lot of fun for him."
Finding Nemo’s victory was worth $170,520, and it boosted his lifetime earnings to $326,990. The colt has won five of seven races, and he was a finalist in the Grade Ed Burke Memorial Million and Kindergarten futurities.
"It's so much fun to win a race with a horse that you bred," said Boyles. "We used to play the claiming game out here, made good money and we had fun doing that. This is different. We don't win as many races - I think back then we had a year in which we won something like 40 races - but we still have 25 horses out here.
“You have to understand that winning one of this races, with a horse that you bred, that's more fun than winning 20 races with claimers,” he added. "He took a bad step in this race, and he still won and ran 350 yards in :17.35. There was no wind, otherwise he could have probably broken the track record.”
Ynot Bar ran second, a nose behind the winner, and was followed by Volcom, Jumpn Chic, Wave Carver, Im All About Speed, Fly Bar Special, Aziwasaying, Chicks First Fantasy and Centerist.
Reigning world champion Be A Bono had to battle down the stretch, but the 4-year-old Bono Jazz gelding held off champion Catchmeinyourdreams to win the 400-yard, $153,514 Spencer L. Childers California Breeders’ Championship (RG1). A homebred racing for Childers, who lives in Fresno, California, Be A Bono went the trip in :19.486 and broke the previous stakes mark of :19.51 established by world champion Whosleavingwho in 2003.
The closeness of the race was not surprising at all – all but one of Be A Bono's 10 career wins have been by margins of no greater than a neck.
“That's his style," said Childers, a 50-consecutive-year breeder and a member of the AQHA Hall of Fame. "He always does that, and he always finds a way to come out on top. With him it's a fight all the way. He doesn't run away from them, he just outruns them. He is a lucky horse and I am lucky to have a horse like him.
“He’s always behind but he always comes back and catches them,” he added. “He is also big enough that a light bump does not seem to bother him."
Prepped by Dan Francisco and ridden by G.R. Carter Jr., Be A Bono won for the 10th time in 13 races, and he earned $80,375 to push his bankroll to $990,662. His stakes victories include the June 24 Vessels Maturity (G1), which earned the gelding a berth in this year’s Champion of Champions (G1), and he currently stands 41st on the sport’s all-time earnings list.
"I like to take him on the track three to four times a week and out of those times we gallop him two times," said Francisco. "We pony him the rest of the time. He seems to like that, and I’m a big believer in finding what a horse enjoys and going with that. We gave him a strong 110-yard push the other morning – I refer to those as teasers – and he esponded well. He wanted to go a lot farther than 110 yards. He showed what he is made out of tonight."
Catchmeinyourdreams ran second, a neck in front of 23-1 longshot Chicky Do Run Run. Dragon Dash, Pats Charming Guy, Brookstone Bay and Brubeck completed the order of finish.
Juan Alberto Tirado Lizarraga’s Apollitical Time was a prompt 4-5 choice in the $125,500 Governor’s Cup Derby (RG1) for California-bred sophomores. Breaking sharply from post 5 under Ramon Sanchez, the Apollo (TB) filly led at every call en route to a three-quarter length victory over Lindas Dasher, stopping the timer in a stakes-record :19.465 for 400 yards.
“She is just a rocket ship,” said trainer Juan Aleman. “She just keeps going and going and going, and she really hasn’t been tested yet.”
Apollitical Time’s win was her seventh consecutive and eighth in 17 races. All told, the filly has earned $131,197, and her win streak includes four stakes.
“You always have faith and dream a little that you can get a horse like this,” said Lizarraga, a commercial fisherman who lives in Mazatlan, Mexico, and who claimed Apollitical Time for $16,000 last year. “It’s been a lucky shot, and it also takes a lot of patience.”
Lindas Dasher ran second, 1 ¼ lengths in front of 98-1 longshot Beduinos Dasher. First Down Toll, Looking For Chicks, Jumpn, Heza Secret Diamond, Quality Corona, Beau Brummel SA and Skinny Mike completed the order of finish.
Affre sprinted to a wire-to-wire victory in the $27,150 Jens L. List Jr. Memorial California Breeders’ Stakes (RG3). Breaking from post 10 under Ramon Sanchez, the First Down Express colt covered 400 yards in :19.67 and defeated Chicks Like Us by a neck. Dan Francisco prepped Affre for owners Glenn Porter and Paul and Diane Wolfe.
Affre opened up over the field by three-quarters of a length in the early stages of the race before holding off the late charge of Chicks Like Us and Perfect First, who ran third, a half of a length behind the winner.
“He broke good, but halfway through the race I thought we were in trouble,” said Paul Wolfe, who lives in Simi Valley, California.
“Ramon knew not to hit him, and that’s why he was able to hold on and win,” added Diane Wolfe. “He doesn’t like to get whipped.”
A winner of five of his 17 races, Affre has earned $70,798. The Jens L. List is named in honor of one of American Quarter Horse racing’s most prominent breeders and owners, who founded Double Bar S Ranch in Moreno Valley, California, in 1989.
Knud With Wings, Mummy, Willie Getto Know Me, A Sisstar, Four Jets Royal, Casual Slip Knot and Wapid Willie completed the order of finish.
G.R. Carter Jr. rode Bad Cop to a one-length score in the 870-yard, $26,800 California Breeders’ Marathon Stakes (RG3). Prepped by Concepcion Balderrama for owner Art Patino, the 4-year-old gelding by Northern Devil (TB) went the trip in :45.194 en route to his third victory in 23 outs.
Patino dedicated the victory to his father, Camilo, his mother, Concepcion, and his son, Arty.
“They've all passed away, but their memory is what keeps me running these horses," said Patino. "My dad loved the horses and he was very excited about Bad Cop before he passed away. He was my dad's favorite horse. To have Bad Cop give us our first stakes win, I can't describe that with words.
“My horse almost fell down in the backstretch," he added. “If you look at the replay, it looks like he bumped with Caspollo and almost went down. After the race, G.R. told me that he wants to ride this horse again. He is a champion jockey so to have him say that means a lot."
Bac In The Saddle ran second, 2 ½ lengths ahead of Shy Anns Trust. The top three were followed by Shake The Dice, Caspollo, Takin Cash Bac, and Breakers.
Mini Rock, a homebred 6-year-old Chicks Beduino mare racing for the Parsons Family Trust, led at every call en route to a one-length victory in the $51,570 California Breeders’ Matron Stakes (RG3). Alex Bautista rode Mini Rock for trainer Blane Schvaneveldt.
Going 400 yards in :19.619, Mini Rock earned a 95 speed index and her 11th win in 30 races. The $27,000 winner’s share of the purse pushed her bankroll to $423,929. Sent to post as the 4-5 choice, Mini Rock paid a $3.60 win mutuel and teamed with 2-1 second choice Rubiate for a $5.40 ($1) exacta. Make It Work finished third at odds of 3-1 to complete a $9.10 ($1) trifecta return.
Earlier this year, Mini Rock was bred to stallions Check Him Out and Corona Cocktail. She was making her first start since January 8, when she won the Grade 1 Charger Bar Handicap.
“She has really come back good,” said Schvaneveldt, who added that Mini Rock’s next start might come in the September 10 Mildred N. Vessels Memorial Handicap (G1). “She was training super. I even had her in training while she was breeding.”
Sassy J Valentine, Royalclassic Express, How Good and Miss Marality completed the order of finish.
Lady Lucchese, a Spanish Boot filly owned and trained by reigning AQHA champion trainer Paul Jones, came from off the pace to win the $15,000 Seal Beach Handicap (R) for sophomore fillies. Alex Bautista rode Lady Lucchese, who returned a $5 win mutuel as the 3-2 favorite and covered 350 yards in :17.600.
"I trained her mother, Lady Inception, who was one of the fastest Thoroughbreds I ever trained," said Jones. "She would get ahead of the field by 10 lengths but she would always get caught at the end.
“I ended up owning her because her previous owner did not pay his training bill,” he added. “I didn't want her at the time, but I had no choice.”
Lady Inception broke her maiden going 870 yards, and when it came time to breed her, Jones looked to Spanish Boot.
“I had a free breeding to Spanish Boot courtesy of Scott Merrill," he said. "Plus, he was a nice horse and I figured we had a chance to get a quick horse.”
Lady Lucchese’s victory was her second in six races, and her earnings total $16,025.
Having Fun Yet ran second, a nose behind the winner, and was followed by Dreams Can Fly, Shining Down, Pritzi Miss, Hazels Last Pie and Wave Babe.
Nicolas Hernandez’ Modem picked up his first stakes win in the 350-yard, $26,650 California Breeders’ Sprint Stakes (RG3). Rodrigo Aceves rode Modem for trainer Adan Farias, and the 3-year-old Corona Cocktail gelding tripped the timer in :17.385 and defeated 8-5 choice He Could Be The One by three-quarters of a length.
“I’m too excited,” said Hernandez, who won the 1997 Kindergarten Futurity (G1) with Sneaky Fast, and has gotten back into the racing business after a three-year absence. “I’ve always owned horses, but not always racehorses. It’s nice to be back in the business.”
Modem’s victory was his fourth in 15 races, and the winner’s share of the purse increased his bank to $35,716. On July 1, he ran third in the Bayer Legend California Derby Challenge (G3).
Dealadash, Self Assertive and Chicks Rapidash completed the order of finish.
Gottobes Cat sprinted to an easy 1 ¼-length victory in the $25,600 California Breeders’ Freshman Stakes (R). The homebred 2-year-old filly races for Billy Absher and Leland Decker and is trained by Paul Jones.
Ridden by Alex Bautista, Gottobes Cat went 350 yards in :17.482 and posted a 95 speed index. The filly is a half sister to stakes winner Firebaugh Filly.
“She’s just getting better and better and is finally learning how to run,” said Jones. “This filly is starting to run like her sister. “It’s nice to see her show that her mother [Gottabegoing] can be a consistent dam.”
A filly by Devon Lane (TB), Gottobes Cat has won two of her four races. She was fifth in her debut, then she won her next start, a $12,500 maiden claimer. She was coming off of a second-place finish in a Governor’s Cup Futurity (RG1) trial.
Carter Lista, another contender from the Jones barn, ran second as the 6-5 favorite. Adriannas Dasher was third, a half of a length behind the runner-up, and was followed by Thru Roses, A Fortunate Son, Sonando, Aquisitive, Same Old Game and Siroptimist.
Corona Caper outran his 10-1 odds to win the $27,000 California Breeders’ Sophomore 550 Stakes (R). Rodrigo Aceves rode the homebred Corona Czech colt for owner Donald H. Ryan and trainer Jesus Enriquez.
Making his first start at the distance, Corona Caper went 550 yards in :27.09, defeating She Doesnt Dance by a nose. The colt earned $14,850 to push his earnings to $19,663. for the win, raising his bankroll to $19,663.
“This game is filled with ups and downs, but we’ve been fortunate,” said Ryan, a 20-consecutive-year breeder. “We’ve won some nice races, such as the Ed Burke Futurity, and we’ve met a lot of nice people over the years. I’ve also been fortunate to work with some great people as well. Right now, Jesus Enriquez trains my horses and he does a great job. I have confidence in his ability as a trainer and I am comfortable working with him."
Unraced at 2, Corona Caper has won two of four races.
“He was a little late maturing," said Ryan. "Jesus took his time with him and it has paid off. We had to give him some time off because he stumbled in his last start and got hurt. He’ll do a lot better as the year progresses.”
Diller A Dollar, A Dash Of Gandora, Oh So Dashing, Hostile Method and Tristans Boot completed the field.
PRAIRIE MEADOWS: Nuttin Easy, a Texas-bred filly racing for Susan Rivera of Luther, Oklahoma, broke her maiden with a wire-to-wire, 1 ½-length victory in the $61,350 Iowa Double Gold Futurity (RG3) on July 30. Under Tom Wellington, who rode Nuttin Easy for trainer John Brasseaux, the filly went 350 yards in :17.946 and earned a lifetime-best 88 speed index.
Nuttin Easy became the fifth stakes winner from three crops sired by champion Dashin Is Easy. Bred by Linda Wilmoth of Paradise, Texas, the filly is the first starter foaled by her dam, the winning Mr Eye Opener mare Shesa Nutin Honey. The victory was Nuttin Easy’s first in three races, and the winner’s share of the purse grew her bankroll to $26,579.
"I bought her at the (2004 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale) because she was such a pretty horse and I liked her breeding," said Rivera. “She’s turned out to be a runner.”
Preferred Shake ran second, a head in front of Grab A Suspect. The top three were followed by Drivingfortheweekend, Takin On Smashingly, Magic Marvin, Chicks A Role, Ebony Lane, Magics Sun Shine and Silks Easy Dash.
Also on July 30, Bugs Mega Jet ran to her status as the 7-5 choice with a three-quarter length score in the 400-yard, $46,883 Iowa Double Gold Derby (RG3). The homebred winner, who covered the trip in :19.796, was ridden by Jacky Martin for owner Carol Kimbrough of Drexel, Missouri, and trainer Don Mourning.
"I noticed Jacky was just sitting on her [toward the end of the race]," said Kimbrough of Bugs Mega Jet, who won last year’s Kansas Jackpot (RG2) and Harrah’s Entertainment futurities. “”There's no need to go any harder than what it takes to win the check."
Bugs Mega Jet is the only stakes winner from five crops to represent her sire, the winning and stakes-placed Sixarun stallion Rare Jet Extremes. Her dam, Bugs Mega Bucks, is an unraced daughter of 1988 world champion Merganser.
All told, Bugs Mega Jet has won six of nine races and has earned $181,805.
WRS Special Shoe, GHF Kool Kotton, All Points Bulletin, GHF Hy N Straight, Shell Drive, CC Sheez Got Legz, Ohares Secret and First Smart Muggins completed the order of finish.
SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK: This track presented an American Quarter Horse stakes tripleheader on July 29, Texas Summer Showdown night. Jack Zee Quick, a homebred 4-year-old gelding by champion Royal Quick Dash, earned a 101 speed index while winning the 250-yard, $45,500 Barnmaster Sprint Stakes (RG3). Mark Page rode the winner, who covered the trip on a muddy track in :13.146, for trainer Matt Baker.
Jack Zee Quick was bred by Dallas Blakley and R.P. Stuart, and the gelding has earned $246,007 from seven wins in 17 outs. He is one of 66 stakes winners from 10 crops sired by Royal Quick Dash, the sport’s champion 2-year-old colt in 1991 whose 794 starters have earned more than $13.4 million and include champion AB What A Runner. The gelding’s dam is a multiple stakes winning daughter of Zevi (TB) who has foaled three starters. His four stakes victories include the 2003 Sam Houston Futurity (G1) and the ’04 Firecracker Derby (G2).
Chipeyed Charlie, Thunder O Toole, Ronas Wind Dancer, odds-on favorite This Snow Is Cold, Party Hound, Looks Like A Runner, La Torch, First Down Corona, Too Specially Fancy and Kito Me completed the order of finish.
Gray Invasion was a prompt 9-5 choice in the $45,500 TQHA 550 Stakes (RG3). Ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo for Claudio Aguilar of Edinburgh, Texas, and trainer Bobby Martinez, the 6-year-old Chicks Beduino gelding covered 550 yards on a muddy surface in :26.768 to earn a lifetime-best 109 speed index and his fifth stakes score.
Bred by L/J Farms Inc. of Alexandria, Louisiana, Grey Invasion is one of 129 stakes winners from 15 crops sired by Chicks Beduino, whose 1,600 starters have banked more than $29.7 million. The stallion by Beduino (TB) died in September 2003.
Grey Invasion’s dam, Gislin, is a 20-year-old daughter of champion Timeto Thinkrich and a half sister to champions Calyx, Florentine, and Ive Been Blessed. The gelding has won 11 of 34 outs, and his bankroll totals $221,397. His stakes wins include the last two runnings of the Grade 3 Manor Downs Maturity.
Amor Lijero ran second, 2 ½ lengths behind the winner, and was followed by Natural Task, Red Dog Leader, reigning distance champion Run And Pray, Midnitraintogeorgia, My Victory Cup, Wassup T Doc, El Tiburon Ligero, Seek N Destroy and Carry On Fols.
Also, Jose Vega rode Si Puede to a half-length victory in the 400-yard, $44,750 TQHA Classic Stakes (R). The homebred 3-year-old Holland Ease filly races for Lukin Gilliland of San Antonio and is trained by Dave Correll.
En route to her fourth consecutive win, Si Puede went the distance in :19.700 and defeated 5-2 choice Gone Celebrating with a 103 speed index on a track labeled “good.” Fredricksburg, Twenty Twenty Type, Heza Shaker, Fashion N Flashin, Sixes Ms Perry, and Rowdy O Toole completed the order of finish.
Si Puede, whose streak includes victories in the Gulf Coast (R) and Miss Houston (R) stakes for state-breds, is one of 31 stakes winners from 10 crops sired by Holland Ease, a Grade 1-winning stallion by First Down Dash. The filly’s dam, Ruthies Dancer, is a winning daughter of Creole Dancer (TB). Si Puede represents her first starter.
All told, Si Puede has won seven of 12 races and has earned $113,680. She ran second in the April 9 Lazy E Derby (RG2) at Remington Park and last year’s Grade 2 Sunland Park Fall Futurity.
SANDY DOWNS: This track presented two American Quarter Horse stakes on July 30, topped by the 350-yard, $24,066 Idaho Cup Futurity (R) for state-bred 2-year-olds. Ridden by Richard Schmidt, Fast Red Leggs kept his perfect record intact with a head victor over BCR Bac Off. The winner races for trainer Kenneth Ellison of Firth, Idaho, and his wife, Vicky Jo, and he covered the trip in :18.491.
Fast Red Leggs was bred by Mark and Peggy Brown, 10-consecutive-year breeders who live in American Falls, Idaho. The gelding, a winner of all three of his outs, became the third American Quarter Horse stakes winner sired by Red (TB), an 11-year-old stallion by Siyah Kalem (TB). Fast Red Leggs’ dam, the winning Merridoc mare Ronee Christina, also foaled Wild Man Ronnie, a Reeds Dash gelding who won two stakes, including last year’s Idaho Cup Maturity (R) at Les Bois Park.
Willie B Rockin ran third, three-quarters of a length behind the winner, and was followed by CG Cowboy Doc, Devilish Diva, Doll With Honors, Skirt Chasin Dreams, Deal Em Down, The New Answer and Buddy De Great.
State-bred sophomores matched strides in the $16,452 Idaho Cup Derby (R), which was won in wire-to-wire fashion by Sign Of Pride, a homebred First Wrangler filly racing for Idahoans Gary Messenger and Les Barlow. Wes Smith rode Sign Of Pride for trainer Bret Vickery, and the filly won by a half of a length over 22-1 longshot Harleyanycompetition in :19.810 for 400 yards.
An earner of $12,868 from five wins in nine outs, Sign Of Pride is one of seven stakes winners sired by First Wrangler, a stakes-winning stallion by The Signature whose 123 starters include 51 winners. Her dam, Traced With Pride, is a winning daughter of the Dash For Cash stallion Noble Pride and a full sister to Tracin Easy, the third-place finisher in the 1996 Budweiser Classic Futurity at this track.
Sign Of Pride’s stakes victories include the June 25 Dale Schvaneveldt Derby at the Jerome County Fair. Coupled with Fames First Wrangler, Sign Of Pride returned an $8 win mutuel as the 3-1 second choice. Proud Scott ran third and was followed by Fames First Wrangler, Cee The Sign, Bedazoom, Iona Red, 7-5 choice Flights Jezebel, BCR Lets Get Busy and Smokey Blue Moon JC.
YAVAPAI DOWNS: Carlos Bautista guided Manuel Chavez’s Cause I Toll You So to a victory in the $41,872 Yavapai Downs Derby (G3).
Cause I Toll You So broke from the seventh post, came out and bumped Miss Sultry Eyes, but prevailed late. Finishing a nose ahead of Kfactor, he completed the 400 yards in :19.013, good for a 111 speed index. The Skirt Chasin Alibi gelding earned his sixth win in 16 starts, and his third stakes victory. Trained by Jose Reyes Frisby, he has earned $113,740 lifetime.
Red Rolls Royce finished third, followed by Its Fun Being Fickle, Count On Pearl, Pritzi Fly, Miss Sultry Eyes, A Faster Streaker, Lawful and Special Miss Jess.
Bred by Double Bar S Ranch, Cause I Toll You So is out of the Tolltac mare Shameless Toll.
ARAPAHOE PARK: This track presented an American Quarter Horse stakes doubleheader on July 24, as odds-on favorite Bombay Martini won the 400-yard, $44,640 Bayer Legend West/Southwest Derby Challenge (G3) and Let It Snowman took the measure of older sprinters in the $11,400 Mile High Stakes.
Ridden by Richard Vasquez for owners Sammy and Johnny Martinez, Bombay Martini came from off the pace to defeat You Betcha Can by a half of a length in :19.591 – the stakes’ fastest clocking since 1996 – and he earned a lifetime-best 104 speed index. The victory was Bombay Martini’s fourth consecutive, adding to a win streak that includes the May 21 Heritage Place Derby (G1) at Remington Park.
Bombay Martini was bred by Gary and Patty Petersen of Texarkana, Texas, and the gelding by champion Mr Jess Perry is one of three starters foaled by the winning Dash For Cash mare Glance At This Dash. His second dam, the Easy Request mare A Second Glance, won the 1983 Flinthills Futurity (G3) at Eureka Downs and produced stakes winners Mairi, Amrado and A Third Glance, all of whom are half siblings to Glance At This Dash.
In all, Bombay Martini has won six of 10 races – including three stakes – and has earned $89,097. The gelding’s most recent victory earned him a berth in the $150,000 Bayer Legend Derby Challenge Championship (G1) on November 5 at Los Alamitos.
Chick Chasin Cowboy, Centers Flyin Cash, Bonsai Bully, Baby La Jolla, Special Six Gun, Corona Ritz, Dashin Because and The Zee Man completed the order of finish.
Let It Snowman, a 3-year-old This Snow Is Royal gelding racing for Coloradoans Richard Sorenson and Monica Uhland, sprinted to a half-length victory over Say Speedy Driven. Covering 400 yards in :19.884, he picked up his fourth victory in eight starts and first stakes win. Bonifacio Perez rode the winner for trainer Harold Thurston.
Bred by Uhland, a resident of Holly, Colorado, Let It Snowman has earned $27,311. He is one of 20 stakes winners from four crops sired by This Snow Is Royal, a Chicks Beduino stallion who was the sport’s champion 2-year-old colt in 1997 and whose 296 starters have earned more than $4.7 million. The gelding’s dam, the winning Royal Quick Dash mare Dash Olene, was foaled by the Partnership mare Little Lady Olene, who won three stakes and ran second in the 1986 Hopes and Dreams Futurity (RG3) at Blue Ribbon Downs.
Hersey Moon Bar, the 5-2 favorite, ran third. Strike Light, Take Me Some Cash, Dash To Pass, Pies Eye Opener, Sky Ro and Lady Six Meter completed the order of finish.
FAIR MEADOWS AT TULSA: This Candys Red Hot handled a sloppy track with aplomb, as the Leaving Memories colt raced to a neck win in the July 23, $350,000 Speedhorse Gold & Silver Cup Futurity (RG1). Racing for AQHA Executive Committee member Jim Helzer of Arlington, Texas, and his wife, Marilyn, This Candys Red Hot went 350 yards against a head wind estimated at 10-mph in :17.692 and recorded his fourth victory in five races and first stakes win. Trainer Don Mourning gave a leg up to Tad Leggett, who also rode the colt to his two-length win in his June 29 trial heat.
This Candys Red Hot was bred by Carl Pevehouse of Ratliff City, Oklahoma, and the colt became the 39th stakes winner from 10 crops sired by Leaving Memories, a graded stakes placed stallion by world champion First Down Dash whose 490 starters have banked more than $6.3 million. One of two starters foaled by his winning dam, the Mr Eye Opener mare Eye On The Candy, This Candys Red Hot has earned $157,623. He ran fifth as the 6-5 choice in the June 19 Retama Park Futurity (G1).
Make It Sooner, a 48-1 longshot despite posting two wins at the Remington Park spring meet, ran second, and was followed by Stoli My Heart, Whits Dashin Okie, De Elegant Denim, Heza Fast Willie, Passion Rush, Nocoronajustbud, Feature Macy, and Royal Quick Charm.
A stakes that began in 1992, the Speedhorse Gold & Silver Cup Futurity offered a stakes-record purse and was run as a Restricted Grade 1 stakes for the first time.
Also on July 23, Eyesa Country Miss defeated odds-on favorite Opals Wrangler by a neck to win the 350-yard, $96,000 Speedhorse Gold & Silver Cup Derby (RG3). Under G.R. Carter, who rode Eyesa Country Miss for owner and trainer Sparky Mullins of Wagoner, Oklahoma, the homebred filly stopped the timer in :17.760 en route to her first stakes score.
A lifetime earner of $53,504 from five wins in 11 outs, Eyesa Country Miss is one of 59 stakes winners from nine crops sired by Mr Eye Opener, whose 842 starters have earned more than $13.5 million and include four champions. The filly’s dam, Country Zevi, is a winning daughter of Zevi (TB) who has also produced stakes winners Country Chicks Man and Little Country Miss, both of whom are half siblings to Eyesa Country Miss.
Night Time Alibi, Streakin Dunn, Dashin Belladona, First High Royalty, Trooper Hook, Algonquin, Ten Streaks and Eyesa Storm Too completed the order of finish.
On the same night, SV Black Eyed Susan sprinted to a wire-to-wire, half-length victory in the $15,250 Cherokee Nation Stakes for 2-year-olds. Covering 350 yards in :18.071 under Adam Roughley, the filly was posting her third win in five starts and pushing her earnings to $23,360. Bud Moore prepped SV Black Eyed Susan for owner Greg McMahan of Wilson, Oklahoma.
SV Black Eyed Susan was bred by Sonny Vaughn of Wayne, Oklahoma, and the filly became the 19th stakes winner from three crops sired by Okey Dokey Dale, a Grade 2 winner and the sport’s champion 3-year-old colt in 1999. Her dam is the winning Rare Jet mare Oh Honey Hush, who has foaled six starters and is a half sister to ’96 Sooner State Stakes (RG3) winner Strait On For You.
Fifty Six, Alota Snow, Bashful Blush, I Stol It, Luz FG, Sailin Corona, Katango and Blazen Big Smash completed the official order of finish. Blazen Big Smash crossed the wire fifth but was disqualified and placed last for drifting in the stretch and bothering several of his opponents.
LOS ALAMITOS: Running to her status as the 3-10 choice, Carols Treasure (PT) posted a wire-to-wire, half-length victory in the $15,000 AB What A Runner Handicap on July 22. The 4-year-old mare by Treasured Too (PT) went 300 yards in :15.264 and earned her ninth win in 18 races. Ramon Sanchez rode Carols Treasure for owner John Sperry of Garden Grove, California, and trainer Paul Jones.
Bred in Oklahoma by Mr. Bar None Ranch Inc., Carols Treasure has earned $139,185. She currently in sporting a five-race win streak that includes victories at 300, 350 and 400 yards.
“She's really matured into a nice mare," said Sperry, a former member of the California Horse Racing Board. “She seems to be getting better and better. (Ramon) just hand rode her tonight.
“I think she's one of the fastest horses running here, but being a Paint she’s limited in the number of races she’s eligible for," he added. "We’ll try to find some more handicap races to run her in, and we'll see where she goes."
Pennants Chick ran second, three-quarters of a length in front of A Dash Of Sparkle. Kelia Vista, Act Up and Fishers Horizon completed the order of finish.
On July 23, The Blues Girl – a homebred filly racing for Lucky Seven Ranch of Prescott, Arizona, outran her 8-1 odds and won the $13,000 Leo Handicap for 2-year-olds. Joe “Bear” Bassett prepped the winner, who was ridden to her second victory in three outs by Carlos Bautista.
Covering 350 yards on a fast track in :17.619, The Blues Girl earned $7,150 to boost her earnings to $11,275. The filly is one of 56 stakes winners from five crops sired by Grade 1 winner Corona Cartel, an 11-year-old stallion by Holland Ease. The filly is one of four starters foaled by the winning Sixarun mare Run The Dash, who ran third in the 1998 PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and produced Eyell Fool Ya, a This Snow Is Royal filly who won the 2004 Easily A Possum Derby (G3) at the Hipodromo de las Americas in Mexico City.
The Blues Girl’s only defeat came in the Ed Burke Memorial Million Futurity (G1) trials on June 4. In that 350-yard sprint, she crossed the wire second but was disqualified and placed eighth for veering sharply and causing interference to several of her opponents.
“She got away bad in the Ed Burke trials, but she showed a lot of ability tonight,” said Bassett, son of 2001 AQHA champion trainer John Bassett. “For now, we're just going to back off a little a get ready for the Golden State (Futurity trials.”
One Corona, the 3-10 favorite, ran second and was followed by Corona Tuff, Emiliano Zapata, Blue Merrell and Redwood Creek. One Corona was coming off of a fourth-place finish in the June 25 Ed Burke final.
MT. PLEASANT MEADOWS: Julie Veltman rode MM Nickers 123 to a neck victory in the July 24, $15,360 Mt. Pleasant Meadows Derby. Breaking sharply from post 8, the Michigan-bred This Snow Is Royal filly covered 350 yards on a fast track in :18.005 en route to her fourth win in 14 starts and first stakes victory. Jay Hall saddled the homebred filly for owner T Bill Stables Inc. of Clare, Michigan.
An earner of $14,694, MM Nickers 123 is one of two starters foaled by her dam, the winning Dash For Perks mare If One Can Dream. Her second dam, Tiny Lou Etta, is a daughter of 1974 world champion Tiny’s Gay who won the ’82 Sugar and Spice Futurity at Beulah Park near Columbus, Ohio.
Start A Commotion ran second, three-quarters of a length in front of Pirates Pie, who was disqualified from third and placed 10th for bothering Living A Dream and He Mite Shakem. Behind MM Nickers 123 and Start A Commotion, the official order of finish was Can U Do It, Fanci Ending 123, Almost Rare, Dashin Snap, Rippin Dash, Living A Dream, He Mite Shakem and Pirates Pie.
PRAIRIE MEADOWS: Jerry Winters rode 3-2 favorite Wynnin On Time to a neck victory in the $55,670 IQHRA Sale Futurity (R) on July 23. The gelding by freshman stallion Feature Mr Jess, who was prepped by Pat Swan for owners John Lawless and Fred Elkins, covered 350 yards in :18.080 for his first victory in five outs.
Bred by Horner Running Horses LLC of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Wynnin On Time became the third stakes winner sired by Feature Mr Jess, a stallion by Mr Jess Perry who won the 2000 Rainbow Futurity (G1) and earned $539,327 from 2000-01. The gelding’s dam, the Dash For Cash mare Dash For The Wyn, also produced Ms Andrea Jess, a Mr Jess Perry filly who ran third in the 2003 Quarter Horse Racing of Louisiana Stakes at Delta Downs and was a finalist in the TQHA Sires’ Cup Futurity (RG2) at Sam Houston Race Park.
"We got the two horses in tonight (Wynnin On Time and Quick Dash Miss),” said Lawless. “Jerry qualified them both and he had his choice of which horse he wanted to ride in the final. He picked Wynnin On Time, which we weren't sure was the right decision. Obviously, Jerry knew what he was doing."
All told, Wynnin On Time has earned $22,753. Hesa Curly Joe, a 15-1 longshot, ran second, 1 ¼ lengths in front of LW What Say You. The top three were followed by LW Leada Nova, the winner’s entry mate Quick Dash Miss, Fas Money Girl, Steppin Kayley, Apollo Moonwalker, My Suebiscuit and Rock N Roll Bud, who bucked at the start and unseated rider Stormy Smith.
RUIDOSO DOWNS: Upcomin Star and jockey Saul Ramirez captured the $75,000 Rainbow Juvenile Invitational Stakes (RG3) on July 24. Prepped by Paul Jones for the partnership of Hubbard, Mc Farland and Monroe, the colt by champion and freshman stallion Stoli went 400 yards in :19.730 on his way to a three-quarter length victory over Chief Corona. Miss Breann, Jess Dash On, Jess Jivin, Runaway Suspect, and Jess Famous completed the order of finish.
Bred by Evans and Evans of Celina, Texas, Upcomin Star became the second stakes winner sired by Stoli, a 7-year-old stallion by First Down Dash who was the sport’s champion 3-year-old in 2001. The colt, a winner of two of his four outs, is one of six starters and the first stakes winner to represent his dam, Heavenly Note, a winning daughter of world champion Special Effort who ran third in Feet Down First’s 1995 Rainbow Futurity (G1).
Upcomin Star began his career at Los Alamitos, where he ran fourth in a 300-yard maiden sprint on April 28. The $17,965 winner’s share of the purse from his most recent win boosted his bankroll to $20,625.
Leading Spirit, a homebred gelding by the Special Effort stallion Special Leader, kept his undefeated record intact with a convincing one-length victory in the July 24, $625,000 Rainbow Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs.
Under James “JJ” Gonzales II, who rode Leading Spirit for owners Barry B. Thompson of West, Texas, and Dan and Jolene Urschel of Canadian, Texas, and trainer Blane Wood, the gelding went 400 yards on a fast track in :19.348, the second-fastest winning 400-yard clocking in the stakes’ history, which dates back to 1964. In addition to earning Leading Spirit a 101 speed index, the time missed by 14/100ths of a second the track and stakes record established last year by Thewayouwantmetoo.
Leading Spirit’s Rainbow score also moved the gelding closer to the Ruidoso Triple Crown Bonus, which pays a $4-million bonus to the connections of a horse that can win the track’s Grade 1 futurities – the Ruidoso, Rainbow and All American. No horse has swept Ruidoso Downs' three major futurities since 1981, when world champion Special Effort -- Leading Spirit's paternal grandsire -- won the Kansas, Rainbow and All American futurities.
Leading Spirit will be pointed to the 440-yard All American trials on August 18.
“As long as the horse is sound and ready to go, the $4 million seems within reach,” said Thompson, an AQHA Racing Committee member. “The game plan has always been to take one race at a time. Everyone knows that the All American trials will be the most difficult task of all.”
In addition to winning the June 12, $500,000 Ruidoso Futurity, Leading Spirit displayed his precocious talent when he won the Grade 1 West Texas Futurity at Sunland Park on April 3. In total, the gelding has won seven of seven races, and he leads all 2-year-olds in earnings at $694,616.
“He ran a great race today,” said Wood. “He ran straight, which is what we wanted him to do. He hooked up with another horse on the outside and then just took off from there. He just has the talent and natural ability to outrun horses.”
The fastest qualifier and 2-5 favorite, Leading Spirit returned a $2.80 win mutuel and teamed with PYC Paint Your Wagon, a 24-1 longshot, for a $44.40 ($2) exacta. Jax Ross, a longshot at 34-1, completed a $250.60 ($1) trifecta. Shesnowlady, Texas Sixes, Painted Silk, Crater Lake, Jess Maganette, Belvedere N Soda and Coco Corona completed the order of finish.
The Rainbow, which was simulcast to several out-of-state sites, including California, handled a total of $179,137, 20 percent higher than last year’s Rainbow handle of $148,955.
Champion DM Shicago continued his climb up the all-time earnings ladder with a three-quarter length victory in the $410,741 Rainbow Derby (G1) at Ruidoso Downs on July 23.
Ridden by Juan Vazquez for owners Don Moler and Fredda Draper and trainer Carl Draper, DM Shicago went 440 yards in :21.051. The gelding’s victory was his fifth in nine races, and the $205,371 winner’s share of the purse – the stakes’ richest in 18 years – boosted his bankroll to $1,399,469, ranking him 10th on American Quarter Horse racing’s all-time earnings list.
“This is a local horse with local fans,” said Carl Draper. “The horse has changed the lives of many people and this race track has a drawing card for many fans who have come to see him race.
“He has the size, talent and mind that I’ve never seen before in a racehorse,” he added. “I don’t like to brag on my horses, but he’s worthy of the praise that he’s given.”
Bred by Moler, a resident of Cheyenne, Oklahoma, DM Shicago is one of three stakes winners sired by second-year sire Separatist, an 8-year-old Chicks Beduino stallion who was the sport’s champion 2-year-old colt in 1999 and champion sophomore the following season. The gelding, whose three stakes wins include the June 12 Ruidoso Derby (G2) and last year’s All American Futurity (G1), is one of five starters foaled by Leading Sensation, a Grade 3-winning daughter of 1991 world champion Special Leader. DM Shicago’s half brother, the Royal Shake Em gelding DM Stocker, ran second in the 2003 Kansas Jackpot Futurity (RG2) at The Woodlands.
Sent to post as the 3-2 favorite, DM Shicago overcame a stumble at the start and returned a $5 win mutuel. Ocean Runaway, the 19-10 second choice and last year’s champion 2-year-old, ran second, a neck in front of Cowboys N Injuns. Mighty Invictus, Skyline Chick, La Jollaroid, Devons Signature, Thewayouwantmetoo, Eye Man Who and A Stone Runaway completed the order of finish.
“Once we were in front, I knew we had a good chance because he likes the extra ground,” said Vazquez of DM Shicago. “I think (Grade 1, 440-yard) All American Derby will be easy for him because of the distance and his natural ability.”
The trials for the All American Derby, which offers a berth in the Champion of Champions (G1) to its winner, will be run at Ruidoso Downs on August 19. If DM Shicago makes it to the $700,000-est. final on September 4, the gelding will attempt to become the first 3-year-old to sweep the track’s major Grade 1 derbies since world champion Dash For Speed in 1988.
SUNRAY PARK: Sent to the gate as the heavy 1-5 choice, Grade 1 winner A Long Goodbye broke sharply from the rail post and sprinted to a wire-to-wire, three-quarter length victory in the $32,400 La Plata Handicap on July 24. The 5-year-old gelding by the 15-year-old Dash For Cash stallion Pure D Dash went 400 yards in :19.473, missing by just 6/100ths of a second the track record established by Streakin On The Moon in a 2001 allowance race.
A Long Goodbye is owned and trained by Julian De Vargas of Laguna, New Mexico, and he was ridden in the La Plata by Esgar Ramirez. Bred by Donny Gene Shadwick of Weatherford, Texas, the gelding is one of 15 stakes winners from eight crops sired by Pure D Dash, whose 273 starters have earned more than $2.6 million. A Long Goodbye’s dam, Tinys Gay Moon, is a winning and stakes-placed daughter of world champion Tiny’s Gay who has foaled six starters. A Long Goodbye represents her lone stakes winner.
A Long Goodbye was claimed by De Vargas for $6,250 in April 2003. In total, the gelding has won 17 of 35 races – including four stakes – and has earned $248,879. His stakes wins include the April 3 MBNA America New Mexico Challenge (G1) at Sunland Park, and last year’s La Plata Handicap.
Shurnuf Streakin ran second and was followed by Plenty Of Bux, Toast To Texas, Runaway Fame, One Fast Okie, DRH Lightning Quick and Closer To You.
WYOMING DOWNS: Fastest qualifier Mr Fancy Spur was a prompt 3-5 favorite in the July 23, $10,000 Nebo Stallion All-Breed Futurity (R). Ridden by Danny Marshall, the homebred gelding by second-year stallion Mr Fancy Fame went 350 yards on a fast track in :17.615 to earn his third win in as many outs and first stakes victory.
Mr Fancy Spur races for trainer Sherman Hadley and his wife, Susan, who are residents of Ogden, Utah, and the gelding is one of three stakes winners sired by Mr Fancy Fame, a stakes-placed 7-year-old stallion by Dash Ta Fame. He is the first registered starter foaled by his dam, the Special Leader mare Special Possessions, and the $4,000 winner’s share of the purse pushed his earnings to $5,200.
Movin Lane ran second, 1 ¼ lengths behind Mr Fancy Spur, and was followed by Mr Lucky Fame, Flaming Lane, Alysias Miricle, Societys Star Chaser and Dealin Down. There were three scratches – Last Call Doll, My Western Wish and BH Heres Your Sign.
JULY 15-17
ASSINIBOIA DOWNS: The track in Winnipeg conducted three stakes for Quarter Horses over the weekend of July 16-17. On Saturday, Outcast Warrior won the $11,754 Manitoba Speed Horse Aged Classic. With Tim Gardiner in the irons for Reynold Cote, the 4-year-old gelding by Osceola Warrior went 440 yards in :22.590, winning by 1 1/4 lengths while earning $5,172 and a speed index of 86.
Racing for Cote and Eunice Ketchemonia-Cote’s Ketchemonia-Cote Stables of Kamsack, Saskatchewan, Outcast Warrior was winning his second of three races this year and 10th of 17 lifetime, for earnings of $26,539. Outcast Warrior won last year’s Manitoba Speed Horse Derby and in 2003 was second in the Manitoba Speed Horse Futurity.
The 15th stakes winner by his deceased sire, Outcast Warrior is the first starter out of the winning Easily Smashed mare Smashed Early. The gelding is the third stakes winner bred by Karen Cummings’ Karma Inv. Inc./WGC Inv. Inc. of Gatesville, Texas, who also bred Ruidoso Derby (G2) winner Southern Cash Man and Sunland Park Fall Futurity (G2) winner Cowboys N Injungs.
Thats A Fastball was second and Royal Rumors finished third. The remaining order of finish was Pals Blazen Silver, Mr Toaster, Tom A Hawk Express, LL Fly So Free and Marthas Move.
On the next day, Shazoom got his 11th stakes winner when Shablooms came from behind to beat Runningtofast in the $11,304 Manitoba Speed Horse Futurity. With Beth Butler up for Ardell Sayler, the colt was sent to post as the even-money favorite. A length off the pace 110 yards from the wire, Shablooms closed through the stretch to win by a nose. Running against a headwind over a sloppy track, Shablooms covered 350 yards in :18.86, earning $4,974 and a speed index of 71.
The win was the second in five starts for Shablooms, who broke his maiden in his third race, the May 21 trials to the South Dakota Bred Futurity (R), before finishing fourth in the May 30 final at the Brown County Fair in Aberdeen. There were no trials to the Manitoba Speed Horse Futurity, the win which pushed Shablooms’ earnings to $6,595.
Toms Quick Royal was third, and was followed by Sum R Hot Wave, Royal Canth Miss, Eyeza Bear Cat and Hilly Dilly Dasher.
Bred by AQHA Past President Jerry Windham of Texas, Shablooms races for the Rapid City, South Dakota, partnership of Saylor and Jim Bloom. The colt is the first starter from two named foals out of the Magic Dozen mare Magic Fast Chic, a 16-year-old half sister to Windham’s Grade 1-winning Beduino (TB) stallion Runaway Winner. Shabloom’s sire, Shazoom, has sired the earners of $2.8 million in six crops raced.
Also on Sunday, in the race prior to the Futurity, Eye An The Breeze scored in the $11,181 Manitoba Speed Horse Derby. Trained by Ken McFarlane and ridden by Tim Gardner, the gelding by Eye Take Time at the second call was second, half of a length off the pace of Reckless Chick, but closed to win by half of a length over Sa Tan Dash, while Reckless Chick faded to finish third. Running in the same conditions faced by Shablooms in the futurity, Eye An The Breeze clocked :20.880 over the 400 yards to earn $4,809 and a speed index of 81.
The winner of last year’s Prairie Gold Futurity (R) at Northlands Park in Calgary, Alberta, Eye An The Breeze was winning his first of three starts this year and five of 11 lifetime. The gelding has earned $38,592 and came into the Derby off a fourth-place finish in the June 12 trials to the Bayer Legend Canada Challenge (G3) at Whoop-Up Downs in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Bred by McFarlane and racing for John J. Debona of Taber, Alberta, Eye An The Breeze is the fourth winner and the first in a stakes from six starters by his sire. Owned by McFarlane, Eye Take Time is an 8-year-old son of Mr Eye Opener.
Eyesa Screamer was fourth, and was followed by Makin Coin, Rockin Down Dash, Quick Canadian, Dashes Dash, Eyes Open and Crime Spree.
DELTA DOWNS: This track presented six state-bred American Quarter Horse stakes on July 17, closing night of its 2005 meet. The richest race, the $336,150 Lee Berwick Memorial Futurity (RG2) – named in honor of the track’s founder and an AQHA Past President – was won by 17-10 favorite McM Easy Dasher, a homebred Some Dasher gelding racing for M.C. Morris of Long Beach, Mississippi. Nicky Laws rode the winner for trainer Chad Hassenpflug.
McM Easy Dasher covered 350 yards on a fast track in :17.402, breaking by 11/100ths of a second the stakes record established by Jess Me Yawl in 2002, and his winning margin was three-quarters of a length over 28-1 longshot Rattle Dem Bucks. The gelding is one of 11 stakes winners from nine crops sired by Some Dasher, a 15-year-old stallion by world champion Dash For Cash who won the 1993 Heritage Place Derby (RG1) and whose 308 starters have earned more than $3.9 million.
One of four starters foaled by his winning dam, McM Easy Dasher has won three of five races, and the $151,268 winner’s share of the stakes-record purse boosted his earnings to $177,100.
Streakin To Shine, Loretta Loretta, Magic Shiney, Get Cash Now, Jess Special Beduino, Fast Stevie, Mr Swearengen and Its Shine Time completed the order of finish.
Hesa Passem Magic was a prompt 11-10 favorite in the 440-yard, $100,000 Louisiana Classic Stakes (RG3). Under Donald Watson, who rode the homebred 5-year-old gelding for owner and trainer Billy McKay of Ball, Louisiana, Hesa Passem Magic reached the wire three-quarters of a length in front of 3-1 second choice Silent Overdrive, and he covered the trip in :21.410 for a lifetime-best 108 speed index.
Hesa Passem Magic became the third stakes winner from six crops sired by Hesa Crazy Magic, a winning and graded stakes placed stallion by Streakin La Jolla. He is one of five starters foaled by his winning dam, the Pass ‘Em Up (TB) mare Passem Up Doll. The gelding has won eight of 21 races – including the June 18 Mr Jess Perry Stakes (R) for state-breds – and has banked $219,735.
Silent Overdrive was disqualified from second and placed eighth for drifting out and causing Mr Mallard to steady and lose his momentum. Behind Hesa Passem Magic, the official order of finish was JJ Tom Cat Scat, Jess Like Magic, Village Tee Man, Fed Ex Together, JJ Diamond Jess, Mr Mallard and Silent Overdrive.
Cool Eleanor came from slightly off the pace for a half-length victory in the $50,000 Flashy Hemp Stakes (R) for fillies and mares. Covering 400 yards in :19.740 under Alvin Brossette, the 4-year-old mare by champion Toast To Dash was making her first start since December 11, when she ran second to champion Vals Fortune in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Derby (RG2) at Fair Grounds Racecourse. Kenneth Roberts saddled Cool Eleanor for owner and breeder Gini Taylor of Sulphur, Louisiana.
One of 18 stakes winners from five crops sired by Toast To Dash, the sport’s champion 2-year-old in 1996, Cool Eleanor has won seven of 17 races – including five stakes – and has earned $263,791. Her dam, the Village Hero mare Cool Heiress, won the 1996 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG3), and Cool Eleanor is a full sister to Frenchys Cool Hero, who ran third in the 2000 John Alleman Memorial Stakes (R).
The 2-1 favorite, Cool Eleanor returned a $6.60 win mutuel. Jess Dreaming, Delux Is Streaking, Mom Said Yes, Athena Raquel, Jazzing Micki, Miss Ashante, Toast Butter, JT Valedictorian and Jess A Feature completed the order of finish.
Wilbur Cox’s El Man, a 23-1 longshot saddled by Heath Taylor and ridden by Jarrod Deschamp, led at every call en route to a three-quarter length win in the 400-yard, $50,000 Vinton Stakes (RG3) for sophomores. The gelding by Toast To Dash stopped the timer in :19.635 and recorded his fourth victory in 11 starts and first stakes score.
Bred by Pauline Ables of Youngsville, Louisiana, El Man is one of three starters foaled by his winning dam, the Holme At Last mare Bammies Princess. The $30,000 winner’s share of the Vinton purse moved his bankroll to $94,410.
BBs First Beduino, the 7-10 favorite and winner of the June 12 Delta Downs Louisiana Breeders’ Derby (RG2), ran second, breaking his four-race win streak. Haileighs Reeds Dash, an 18-1 longshot, crossed the wire third but was disqualified and placed 10th for drifting out in the stretch and forcing Chicks Salute Me to steady. Behind El Man and BBs First Beduino, the official order of finish was Jess Cash This, Toastin Dash, A Special Toast, MB Boots Magic, Prevailing Style, GT Village Dasher, Chicks Salute Me and Haileighs Reeds Dash.
Another longshot, Angelas Toast, won the 350-yard Louisiana Juvenile Stakes (R) for 2-year-olds. Ronald LeJeune rode the Toast To Dash gelding, who covered the trip in :17.575 and was conditioned by Ezequiel Villarreal for owner Yadira Alvarado of Crosby, Texas.
Bred by Chad Hart of Royston, Georgia, a 10-consecutrive-year breeder who also bred 1999 Valley Junction Futurity (G2) winner Dancing Thewildthing, Angelas Toast has won two of five races and has earned $46,825. The gelding is one of three registered starters produced by his dam, the Osceola Warrior mare Osceolas Angela, the winner of the 1997 Louisiana QHBA Sale Futurity (RG2) at Delta Downs.
Heza Jet Black ran second and was followed by Jazzing LP, 6-5 choice Streakin Patriot, Shes Lils FG, Gold Streakin War, WW Strawberry Wine, Brujo Bunny, Soft Summer Jess and Dash Away.
Distance specialists had their chance to shine in the 870-yard, $50,000 Live Oak Stakes (R), and no horse shined more than winner Kerrys La Jolla. Ridden by Gilbert Ortiz for owner Narciso Flores of Houston and trainer Heath Taylor, Kerrys La Jolla led at every call and defeated Alibis Love by 1 ½ lengths and went the distance in :46.405 for his fifth win in 14 races and third victory in three outs at the distance.
Kerrys La Jolla was bred by Nolan Broussard, a 20-consecutive-year breeder who lives in Maurice, Louisiana. The 5-year-old stallion became the 43rd stakes winner from 14 crops sired by Streakin La Jolla, a stakes-winning Streakin Six stallion whose 828 starters have earned more than $13.5 million and include champions Mr Jess Perry and Streakin Sin Tacha. Kerrys La Jolla is one of eight starters foaled by his graded stakes placed dam, the Bar Pass Meyers mare Kerrys Pass, and he is a half brother to 2001 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) winner Kerrys Lil Jess.
All told, Kerrys La Jolla has earned $78,910. Stakes winner Eves Dash, the 7-10 favorite, ran third, 2 ¾ lengths behind the winner, and was followed by Dat Lil Dancer, War Chants, Dash To Deville and Judes Mighty Dude.
FAIR MEADOWS AT TULSA: Big Time Show, a homebred This Snow Is Royal gelding owned and trained by Kenneth Harlow of Skiatook, Oklahoma, upset odds-on favorite The Zoominator by a half of a length to win the $16,100 Fair Meadows Juvenile Stakes on July 16. Denise Lambeth rode the gelding to his second victory in four outs and first stakes score.
Big Time Show became the 19th stakes winner from four crops sired by This Snow Is Royal, a 10-year-old Chicks Beduino stallion who was the sport’s champion 2-year-old colt in 1997 and whose 295 starters have earned more than $4.7 million. The gelding is one of five starters foaled by Lil Casey Jet, a winning daughter of the Easy Jet stallion Easy Rollin Jet, and he is a half brother to the stakes-placed Holland Ease mare Lil Diamond Casey.
The $8,855 winner’s share of the Fair Meadows Juvenile Stakes purse boosted Big Time Show’s bankroll to $13,170. Live With The Corona ran third, three-quarters of a length behind the winner, and was followed by Sheza Title Achiever, Zeesambasocat, CF Rarity, Blazen Big Smash, Little Miss Fastball, Gotta Bug After Me and Savannah Ease.
GILLESPIE COUNTY FAIR: Primetime Dream led at every call en route to a half-length victory in the July 16, $70,000 Rio Rico Futurity (G3). Prepped by James Harris and ridden by Manuel Garcia for owner Heriberto Garza of McAllen, Texas, Primetime Dream went 350 yards against a 5-mph head wind in :18.100 and earned his fifth win in eight outs.
Primetime Dream was bred Johny and Sue McDuff of Paradise, Texas, and is one of 20 stakes winners from five crops sired by Royal Shake Em, an 11-year-old stallion by Royal Quick Dash who won the 1996 Sam Houston Futurity (G1) and whose 354 starters have earned more than $3.6 million. One of three starters foaled by his dam, the winning Rocket Wrangler mare Honky Tonk Dream, the colt has won three stakes – including the Longhorn Futurity (G2) and Retama Park Juvenile Invitational (R) – and has earned $162,163.
MJP Loop was second, one length in front of Tinys Bud. Its Woody Woodpecker, Senior La Jolla, First High Chick, Slick Dreams, Haulin Streak, and Delta Addiction completed the order of finish.
On July 17, Jeff Jerman rode Sambaso Jet to a wire-to-wire, 1 ½-length victory in the $18,050 TQHA Futurity (R) for Texas-bred 2-year-olds. A homebred prepped by Bobby Moore for Joe and Phyllis Lawhon of Lampasas, Texas, Sambaso Jet went 350 yards in :17.740 for his second win in four outs and a lifetime-best 101 speed index.
Sambaso Jet became the first stakes winner sired by second-year sire Sambaso Dancer, a winner of three stakes and earner of $85,123 during a career that spanned from 1998-2000. The gelding’s dam, Fancy Lear Jet, is a winning daughter of the 18-year-old Easy Jet stallion Le Tusk, who was a finalist in champion Special Project’s 1990 Kansas Derby (G1) at Ruidoso Downs.
The winner’s share of the TQHA Futurity purse pushed Sambaso Jet’s earnings to $8,718. Pac N Leave, Ace Streakin Promise, Clouds N Rainbows, Hot Coco Royale, Moving Naturally, Flyin Winner, CC Countin The Cash, Royally Ripped and Judge Me Fairly completed the order of finish.
MT. PLEASANT MEADOWS: Babys Rabbitt, the 7-5 choice, ran his win streak to three with a three-quarter length score in the July 17, $20,000 GLQHA Michigan Bred Futurity (R). Julie Veltman rode the filly by champion Okey Dokey Dale for owner and trainer Dicky Wayne Benton of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
Scoring his third win in four races and boosting his bankroll to $11,250, Babys Rabbitt covered 350 yards on a fast track in :17.928 for a career-best 96 speed index. The gelding was bred by William Beyer of Lawton, Michigan, and 18th stakes winner from three crops sired by Okey Dokey Dale, the sport’s champion 3-year-old colt in 1999 whose 218 starters have earned more than $2.054 million. His dam, Two Rabbits, is a 13-year-old mare by the Sail On Bunny stallion Striking Bunny who won the 1995 Michigan Bred (R) and Oil Capital derbies and has produced the stakes-winning Calcar gelding LBS Devils Deal.
A Classic For Cash ran second, one length in front of The Northern Knight, and was followed officially UBS Royal Shineystar, Dashwan, Ladys Real Deal, Rare Star Of Nashwan, DT Makin Movies, Razzle Dazzle 123 and One Special Bud.
PRAIRIE MEADOWS: Classy Sheikh (TB) overcame post 8 to win the July 16, $22,000 870 Special Stakes. Glen Corbett rode the 9-year-old bay gelding by Sheikh Albadou (TB) for owner Richard Gaylen and trainer David Van Winkle. Classy Sheikh’s margin of victory was 3 ¾ lengths from Well Rock My World, and the gelding covered 870 yards on a fast track in :44.838 to earn a 106 speed index.
All told, Classy Sheikh has won all four of his races at 870 yards, including the last two runnings of the Mean Competitor Stakes at Canterbury Park. He’s five-for-five against American Quarter Horses, and his bankroll totals $42,340.
“That was an impressive race from the outside post,” said Gaylen, who has owned Classy Sheikh for the last six years. “He’s just gifted. (In his races before), we ran him anywhere from 4 ½ to 6 furlongs. A year ago, we thought we’d just try him with the Quarter Horses to see how he’d stack up against them.
“You can see how smart we were,” he added. “We should have been running him (in those types of races) three or four years ago.”
Fast First Dash, a 19-1 longshot, ran third and was followed by Jack Black And Ice (TB), First To Ramble, Bevys Boy (TB), Rulon Gardner and SC King (TB).
SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK: Breaking sharply from post 10 helped 7-10 choice Si Puede to a wire-to-wire, 2 ¼-length victory in the $15,500 Miss Houston Stakes (R) for state-bred sophomore fillies on July 16. The filly covered 350 yards on a fast track in :17.530 and earned a 100 speed index despite racing against an 8-mph head wind. Dave Correll saddled and Jose Vega rode the homebred daughter of Holland Ease for Lukin Gilliland of San Antonio, Texas.
“I really enjoy riding her and every time she goes out on the track,” said Vega, who also rode Si Puede to her three-quarter length victory in the July 2 Gulf Coast Stakes (R) for Texas-bred 3-year-olds. “She’s really honest. She was ready to get out of the gate and fired out as soon as they kicked it.”
A winner of six of 11 races, Si Puede has earned $86,830. The filly is one of 31 stakes winners from 10 crops sired by Holland Ease, a Grade 1-winning stallion by First Down Dash whose 460 starters have earned more than $7.9 million and include 1996 co-champion 2-year-old filly Haulin Pass. She is the first starter foaled by her dam, the winning Creole Dancer (TB) mare Ruthies Dancer.
“She’s really honest on the track,” said Correll. “She’s rank in the paddock and rank around the barn, but we’ve just learned to live with it. We have her paid in the (Grade 2) Sam Houston Derby, and we’ve just been racing her along. She just seems to improve every trip.”
Julies Lil Jess, Perks Prime Plus, Lady Eye Opener, First Place Hipty, Flor De Lirio, Fast Jeans, Runaways Dancer, Kito Me, Royal Vogue and Streakin Attitude completed the order of finish.
SOLANO COUNTY FAIR: Dicey Dee, a Pritzi Dash gelding owned and trained by Adan Farias of Maywood, California, coasted to a 2-length win in the $10,490 Solano Derby on July 17. Los Alamitos-based jockey Alvaro Gomez rode Dicey Dash, who covered 400 yards in :20.222 and returned a $4.60 win mutuel as the 13-10 favorite.
Bred by Ed Allred, Dicey Dee has won four of eight races – including the June 25 Stockton Derby at the San Joaquin County Fair – and has earned $25,710. The gelding is one of 12 stakes winners from seven crops sired by Pritzi Dash, a Grade 2-winning stallion by Dash For Cash, and he is 10 starters foaled by his winning and stakes-placed dam, the Band Of Azure mare Band Of Dice. His half sister, the Raise A Secret mare Dicey Secret, won three graded stakes, including the 1995 Governor’s Cup Derby (RG1) at Los Alamitos.
Proudly Fast, a 14-1 longshot, ran second and was followed by Jazzn Boots, Captain Miracle, Pritzi Miss, Boy Bucks and I Can See You Now. A 16-1 longshot, I Can See You Now crossed the wire fifth but was disqualified and placed seventh for breaking inward and bothering Boy Bucks.
WYOMING DOWNS: This track presented five American Quarter Horse stakes on July 17, including the $65,633 Silver Dollar Futurity (RG2), which was won by Strinking Diamonds. Jay Conklin rode the filly by the Dash For Cash stallion Striking Distance for owner and breeder E.J. Petitti of Price, Utah, and trainer Wes Giles.
Helped by a tail wind estimated at 25-mph, Strinking Diamonds covered 350 yards in :17.297, missing by 10/100ths of a second the track and stakes record set in 1995 by Juno Dat Honor. Her margin of victory was a half of a length from 13-10 favorite BF Special Guy, who was followed by Proudest Of Times, Duke McBride, A Western Leader, Signmemarie, Rare To Share, The Rainbow Style, Chivatos Secret and Brown Eyed Dash.
Strinking Diamonds, who was winning for the second time in as many outs, became the fifth stakes winner from six crops sired by Striking Distance, the winner of the 1996 Top Deck and Cottonwood handicaps at The Downs at Albuquerque. The filly is also one of four starters foaled by the stakes-winning Lanes Leinster mare Bring Me Diamonds and a half sister to 2002 Silver Dollar Futurity winner Cash N Fame.
Conklin also rode On A Verizon to a half-length victory in the $12,091 Silver Dollar Derby (R). Bred, owned and trained by Giles, who lives in Bluebell, Utah, the filly by the second-year Dash Ta Fame stallion Mr Fancy Fame went 400 yards with a 20-mph tail wind in :19.604 and recorded her fourth win in 11 starts and second stakes score.
One of three stakes winners sired by Mr Fancy Fame, On A Verizon has earned $42,409. The filly, one of three starters produced by the Streakin Jewel mare Primetime Queen, won last year’s Silver Dollar Futurity (RG2) and ran second in the April 5 Manuel Lujan Handicap (RG3) for New Mexico-breds at The Downs at Albuquerque.
Just A Lane Change, Ms Legacy Lane, BP Cryptanight, A Proud Effort, Diana Vees, RGR Hugo Hitz, Visual Evidence and CC Tiny Easy Effort completed the order of finish.
Reigning AQHA champion jockey G.R. Carter Jr. also rode the winners of two stakes, as the Oklahoma native rode 13-1 longshot Calls Hot Colors to a two-length victory in the 870-yard, $20,700 MD Barns Northwest Distance Challenge (G2) and odds-on favorite LDS Dash For Dylan to win the $48,690 Bayer Legend Northwest Derby Challenge (G2).
Conditioned by Wes Giles by R.L. Jakino Enterprises Inc. of Strasburg, Colorado, Calls Hot Colors went the distance in :44.328, the second-fastest winning time in the stakes’ seven-year history. The victory was his second in 16 races and first stakes win, and the $10,557 winner’s share of the purse pushed his earnings to $24,888.
A 5-year-old gelding, Calls Hot Colors was bred by Patricia Peery of Vian, Oklahoma, and he is one of 13 stakes winners from 10 crops sired by Hot Colours, a winning stallion by 1981 world champion Special Effort whose 170 starters have banked more than $1.6 million. Calls Hot Colors’ dam, the winning Shawne Bug mare Shawne Call, has also produced the stakes-placed Call Shawne and Call To Run, both of whom are half siblings to Calls Hot Colors.
Runbyu, the 1-2 choice, ran second. A 6-year-old gelding by Juno Dat Cash, Runbyu won this stakes last season. Hook Em Up Bully, Romantic Native, Hollywoods Cash Flo, Heza Blue Rocket, Our Big Break and Ima Spry Guy completed the order of finish.
The $24,345 winner’s share of the Bayer Legend purse boosted LDS Dash For Dylan’s bankroll to $95,517. A homebred Dashing Cleat gelding racing for Donna King of Firth, Utah, and trained by Bret Vickery, LDS Dash For Dylan defeated Eye My Stocks by 1 ¼ lengths in :19.246 for 400 yards, shattering the previous stakes record of :19.58 established two years ago by Movin Meter at Les Bois Park.
One of 21 stakes winners from 10 crops sired by Dashing Cleat, a Grade 1-placed stallion by First Down Dash, LDS Dash For Dylan has won five of 11 races and ran third in the May 28 Town Policy Handicap (G3) for 3-year-olds at Los Alamitos. His dam, LDS Good Goin Gracie, is a stakes-placed daughter of Proudest Effort and a half sister to Dashin Sunset, who ran second in the 870-yard Juarez Handicap at Sunland Park in 1999.
Eye My Stocks was disqualified and placed fourth for lugging in and bothering Blue Grass Cowboy. Behind the winner, the official order of finish was Down The List, Blue Grass Cowboy, Eye My Stocks, Wranglin Easy, Sheza Jo Baby Jo, Corona Lane, Catcha Leader, Credible Klas and Bankas Brat.
Also on July 17, Canosa outran his 8-1 odds to win the Grade 2 Ford Northwest Juvenile Challenge. Covering 350 yards in :17.266, the gelding by Siyah Kalem (TB) stallion Red (TB) broke by 5/100ths of a second the previous stakes record established last season at Les Bois Park by Budderfly Effect. Joe Ruiz rode Canosa for owner 4G Racing of Othello, Washington, and trainer Bill Hoburg.
Bred by AQHA Hall of Fame member Blane Schvaneveldt of Cypress, California, Canosa was a finalist in the May 29 Bitterroot Futurity (RG2) at Pocatello Downs in Idaho. He became the second American Quarter Horse stakes winner in four crops sired by Red, whose 119 Quarter Horse starters have earned more than $1.1 million and include 2003 Catalina Derby (G3) winner Bishane (TB). The gelding is the first registered starter foaled by his dam, the winning Mr Eye Opener mare Just Mairi, and he has won two of five races and has earned $32,861.
Gigarad, the 9-10 favorite, ran second, three-quarters of a length in front of Royal Time Dash. The top three finishers were followed by Doeshous, Legal Runaway, Stolen Diamonds, Hasta Be Hawkin, Kibblesnbitsspecial, Bold Stoli and Axel Bentley.
JULY 8-10ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIR: Score One (Ap) won the July 10, $10,350 Jack Robinson Handicap for his eighth victory in 26 races and first American Quarter Horse stakes score. Victor Miranda rode the 7-year-old gelding by Candyman Bee (TB) for owner and trainer Juan Jose Romo Jr.
Bred by nine-time AQHA champion breeder Ed Allred, Score One has earned $55,380 in AQHA-recognized races. The gelding covered 870 yards in :45.220, and his margin of victory was a neck from 2-1 favorite J M Larrys Legacy (Ap).
Super Tinaway (TB), Hes Spotless (Ap) and Deal Em Hi – the only Quarter Horse entered in the race – completed the order of finish.
CANTERBURY PARK: Pistol Packin Perry, a 14-1 longshot ridden by Helen Vanek, led at every call en route to a nose victory over Leadmetoyourladder in the July 10, $36,780 Canterbury Park Derby (G3). Covering 400 yards on a fast track in :20.419, the winner was trained by Robert Partridge for owner Joy Melby of Chanhassen, Minnesota.
Pistol Packin Perry was bred by Burly R. Jenkins of Ash Grove, Missouri, and the Mr Jess Perry colt was winning for the second time in 10 races and posting his first stakes victory. The colt’s winning dam, the Takin On The Cash mare Takin A Hike, ran second in the 1996 Michigan Derby at Mt. Pleasant Meadows and has foaled two starters, including Pistol Packin Perry, whose earnings now total $25,331.
Dakota Lane ran third, a neck behind the winner. The official order of finish behind the first three was Run For Lacey, Lawless Gunslinger, Runaway Gold, Perrys Splash N Dash, Strawflyin Fit and Corona Cairina. Perrys Splash N Dash crossed the wire fifth but was disqualified and placed seventh for breaking outwardly and bumping Runaway Gold
FAIR MEADOWS AT TULSA: Randy Wilson rode Marlin Bay to a nose victory in the $15,375 Rocky Heinzig Stakes on July 9. The 6-year-old First Down Dash gelding races for Gene and Margaret Mudd of Mounds, Oklahoma, and is trained by Mike Curtis, and he covered 350 yards under hazy skies on a fast track in :17.680 to earn his sixth win in 19 outs and first stakes score.
Bred by reigning AQHA champion breeder Lucas Racing Inc. of New Market, Maryland, Marlin Bay has earned $36,978. The gelding became the 181st stakes winner from 15 crops sired by First Down Dash, the sport’s all-time leading sire and world champion in 1987. Marlin Bay is one of eight starters produced by his dam, the winning and stakes-placed Coup De Kas (TB) mare Fleur De Coup, and he is a full brother to reigning champion aged mare and 2004 Champion of Champions (G1) winner Cash For Kas and a half to four-time stakes winner Streakin Kas.
Zevis Eye Opener, Royal Blue Chew Chew, Tennessee Dasher, Firstdown Goal To Go, Rocky Bilboba, Jess The Facts and Doittoem Gambler completed the order of finish.
Also on July 9, Wilson rode Roto Rooster to a neck win in the 870-yard, $20,875 Oklahoma Express Stakes (R) for state-breds. Luis Villafranco prepped the homebred 7-year-old Pure D Dash gelding for Lisa Joneson of Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Roto Rooster became the 15th stakes winner from eight crops sired by Pure D Dash, a Grade 3-winning son of Dash For Cash whose 272 starters have earned more than $2.6 million. The gelding is one of six starters foaled by his dam, the winning Zevi (TB) mare Mea Chick Too.
Roto Rooster has won seven of 22 races and has earned $88,317. The 4-5 favorite and coupled with stablemate Cruz To D Wire, he completed the trip in :45.932 and was making his first start since December 12, when he ran third in the Marathon National Stakes (G1) at Los Alamitos. Julietspecialrequest, Shawshank, Blazen Beebee, BB Catie, LD Herecomesda Judge, Will Holland Win, Dashing Tink and Okey Dokey Me completed the order of finish.
LOS ALAMITOS: Running to his 1-5 odds, Takin Cash Bac rolled to an easy 2 ½-length victory in the $14,625 Stars and Stripes Handicap for 3-year-olds on July 8. Under J.R. Ramirez, who rode the gelding by champion Takin On The Cash for the partnership of Duke, McBride and Wynn, and trainer Paul Jones, Takin Cash Bac covered 870 yards in :45.260 for his seventh win in 14 races and second stakes score.
Bred by AQHA Immediate Past President Frank “Scoop” Vessels III’s Vessels Stallion Farm at Bonsall, California, Takin Cash Bac is one of 55 stakes winners from 11 crops sired by Takin On The Cash, a 17-year-old stallion by world champion Dash For Cash whose 696 starters have earned more than $11.9 million and include champion A Delightful Dasher. The gelding is the first starter foaled by his dam, the unraced Splash Bac mare Easy Strawfly, and the $8,250 winner’s share of the Stars and Stripes purse pushed his bankroll to $76,211.
Breakers ran second and was followed by A Dash Of Gandora and Tristans Boot.
On July 9, Rhythm And Val won the Grade 3, $32,150 Vandy’s Flash Handicap for 3-year-olds. Hector Cuevas rode the colt by Dashing Val for owner and trainer Rodolfo Viramontes of Sylmar, California.
Bred by AQHA Hall of Fame member and 50-consecutive-year breeder Spencer Childers of Fresno, California, Rhythm And Val is a one-time $6,250 claimer who has won five of 10 races and has earned $43,867. The colt is one of nine starters produced by the Merridoc mare Rhythm And Ruffles, who won the 1986 Bay Meadows Futurity (G1) and ran second in the Governor’s Cup Futurity (RG3). He is also a half brother to ’94 Governor’s Cup Futurity (RG1) winner Jungle Raised and stakes winner SLC Macho.
Rhythm And Val’s Vandy’s Flash victory was accomplished in :19.708 for 400 yards. The stakes is named in honor of the eight-time stakes winner and sport’s world champion in 1960.
Special Crown Royal, the 17-10 favorite, ran second, a head behind the winner, and was followed by Blazin Fire, Knud With Wings, Gold Medal Jess and Wapid Willie.
MT. PLEASANT MEADOWS: Miss Corona Rose was a prompt 19-10 favorite in the July 10, $18,700 Michigan Futurity, as the Corona Czech filly covered 350 yards in :18.333 en route to her fourth win in five races and first stakes victory. Ramon Dominguez rode the filly for owners Peter and Craig Spada of Ridgeway, Ontario, Canada.
Bred by Gary and Hilary McKillop of Straffordville, Ontario, Canada, Miss Corona Rose became the first stakes winner to be sired by second-year sire Corona Czech, a stakes-winning 8-year-old stallion by First Down Dash and full brother to champion Corona Cash. The filly is also one of four starters produced by the winning Victory Dash mare Dash N Victory Rose and a half sister to 2001 Valley Junction Futurity (G2) winner Dashin For Penny.
All told, Miss Corona Rose has earned $12,826. The filly ran second in the June 5 Great Lakes Earl Clark Memorial Futurity.
Another Runner Val ran second, a neck behind the winner, and was followed in official order by Can U Catch, Aces Over Sixes, Take Mom The Bucks, Eye On The Klu, Miss Patriot Lawyer, Cant Cash This and Hemp Easy Cash.
Also on July 10, Perfect Task sprinted to a neck victory over Mr Special Mystery in the $10,000 Don Boyd Handicap. Completing his 350-yard trip in :17.769, the 7-year-old Special Task gelding earned a 101 speed index and his third stakes victory. Bobby Bell rode Perfect Task for Christine Tavares of Ennis Killen, Ontario, Canada, and trainer Joe Tavares.
Bred by Bobby D. Cox of Peaster, Texas, American Quarter Horse racing’s reigning champion owner, Perfect Task has won 20 of 35 races and has earned $33,678. The gelding is one of 13 stakes winners from 10 crops sired by Special Task, 16-year-old Grade 1-winning stallion by world champion Special Effort. He is one of seven starters produced by the winning On A High mare Gentlemen N Cash, and his stakes wins include the May 14 Mother’s Day Silver Cup Stakes and the ’03 Alex Picov Memorial Championship.
A Down Right Runaway, Jewels First Moon, Awesome 123, Miss Pure D Smith, Boot Scootin Task, Speed Risk, Casa De Royality and Deltas Hot Knight completed the order of finish.
PRAIRIE MEADOWS: A prompt 4-5 favorite, Bullions N Garters sprinted to a three-quarter length victory ove Quanah Jones in the July 9, $23,500 Keokuk Stakes (G3). Owned and trained by Jim Gubas of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, the 4-year-old mare by the Special Effort stallion Bully Bullion was ridden by Roy Brooks and went 400 yards in :19.755 and earned a lifetime-best 100 speed index.
Bullions N Garters was bred by Gubas and Lewis Long, and she is one of 38 stakes winners from 14 crops sired by Bully Bullion, whose 714 starters have earned more than $7.4 million and include champion Shake The Bank. The mare has won 12 of 16 races, including five stakes, and the $14,100 winner’s share of the Keokuk pushed her earnings to $151,946. Her stakes victories include last year’s Oklahoma Horsemen’s Association (RG3) and Altoona (G3) derbies.
“This horse just likes to run,” said Gubas. “She broke pretty slow, but this was a good bunch of horses. Anymore, you have good horses everywhere you go. We skipped [this year's meet at] Tulsa to give her a break and some rest. We'll probably run in the filly and mare stakes here at Prairie Meadows and then go to Lone Star. They've got a couple of filly and mare stakes up there."
Radium Rays, Callies Corona, Kool Quick Kid, Speed Cartel and Precious Clarise completed the order of finish.
SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK: Breaking sharply from post 8, Silver Gol sprinted to a half-length victory over 13-10 favorite Wokatee in the $355,849 TQHA Sale Futurity (RG1), one of five American Quarter Horse stakes run at this track on July 9. Under Carlos Madeira, who rode the gelding by the Jody O Toole stallion Gol for owner Gary Hartstack and B&B Electric and trainer Leon Bard, Silver Gol went 350 yards on a fast track in :17.721 en route to his third win in five outs and second stakes victory.
"We had a great trip,” said Madeira, who also rode Silver Gol to his victory in the April 24 Manor Downs Futurity (G2). “I was worried about the outside horse (fastest qualifier Shazoomer), but when we got away from the gate so well I knew he had a good chance. It was difficult standing in the gate when Shazoomer broke through the gate. My horse was sitting on tilt, so I just wanted to get away and do everything I could to win the race."
Silver Gol was bred by Sergio Vela Teran of Mercedes, Texas, a 10-consecutive-year breeder who also bred the stakes-winning Gol colt Sis B Gol. The gelding is one of three stakes winners from three crops sired by Gol, the winner of the 1998 Heritage Place (G1) and Remington Park (G1) futurites. His dam, the winning Streakin Six mare Silver Poupon, ran third in the 1991 Pot O’Gold Futurity (G3) at Sun Downs in Kennewick, Washington, and he is a half brother to 2002 Longhorn Derby (G3) runner-up Corona Silver.
The $142,340 winner’s share of the stakes-record purse pushed Silver Gol’s earnings to $262,336.
"It just shows you that a fast horse makes a good trainer,” said Bard. “He is a pleasure to train, and a super individual. He lay down in his stall this afternoon, got up to drink some water and lay down to rest again. He seems to get better the longer he goes; wait until the (Grade 1) Sam Houston Futurity and you watch him go 400 yards."
Real Visions ran third, one length behind Silver Gol and was followed by Sstheladyisatramp, Featuring A Rockette, Shazoomer, Jodys Victory Pop, Blazin La Jolla and Runaway Sixes. A Sixes Cowgirl was scratched.
No trials were needed for the Grade 1 $107,190 MBNA America Texas Challenge Championship, one of seven stakes on the stellar Saturday card at Sam Houston Race Park. Fast Talkin Val made the evening truly memorable for trainer Heath Taylor and owner Lynda Hickman of Flat Get It Farm, Inc. Bred in Florida by Hickman, Fast Talkin Val ran impressively under Gilbert Ortiz and defeated an outstanding field of ten older American Quarter Horses. The 4-year-old chestnut gelding crossed the wire of the 440-yard Grade 1 stakes in :21.536 and will represent Texas in the $300,000 MBNA America® Challenge Championships on Saturday, November 5 at Los Alamitos Race Course.
"When I rode him in the 250 handicap at Delta, he ran a great race,” said Ortiz. “Coming back for the second effort, he ran second to Vals Fortune. Today he didn't leave as sharp, but he made a pretty good run at the end of the race. He was running fourth and then just accelerated."
"This has been a great year and a lot of fun for us,” acknowledged Taylor, who is second in the nation in Quarter Horse wins in 2005. “We've had tremendous success at a lot of places and I want to express my appreciation to the owners for their confidence and my staff for getting the horses running at all the tracks. We have a tremendous team and we all strive to win. Everybody is really clicking right now. We'll look at some races and might go to Los Alamitos; I think to win a Grade 1 there its imperative to have an out on their track. We might start him in the Go Man Go or the Los Al Classic."
G.R. Carter, Jr. was in the lead aboard Country Chicks Man, but could not hold off the late charge from Fast Talkin Val.
“That colt ran a really good race,” said Carter. “He just got beat by a horse that run a little better. He wound up good and broke from the gate beautifully. He ran a strong race, but just flat got outrun. Whenever the one I rode gives that good of a performance, all you can do is take your hat off for the winner, because he just ran a little bit better.”
Taylor saddled three horses for the MBNA Texas Challenge and Fashion N Flashin rallied for third under Jerry Lee Yoakum.
"This is the first time I rode this horse and he ran a hell of a race,” stated Yoakum. “He got away real good. For a real short, fat horse you wouldn't think he would run that far but he can! He ran a super race."
Fast Talkin Val left the gate as the post time favorite and returned $6.60, $4.20 and $3.20 across the board. The 7-11 exacta paid $49.40 and the 7-11-5 trifecta returned $961.40. Frostys Money Man, Gray Invasion, Fredericksburg, Will to Win 123, Splendid Sam Perry, Special Task Force and Run With It completed the order of finish.
Also on July 9, Mike Phillips rode 12-1 longshot Texas Chatterbox to a head victory over A Rare Cartel in the $35,460 John Deere Texas Distaff Challenge (G3). The 4-year-old homebred mare, racing for William Orr Jr. of Sweeny, Texas, and prepped by the owner’s son William III, went 400 yards with a 10-mph tail wind in :20.142 and earned a 92 speed index.
Texas Chatterbox became the 15th stakes winner from 11 crops sired by Vital Sign, a 17-year-old stallion by The Signature who won the 1990 Heritage Place Futurity (RG1) at Remington Park, and whose 204 starters have earned more than $2.5 million. The mare’s dam, the winning Silk Or Satin (TB) mare Silks Cindy, has foaled five starters – Texas Chatterbox represents her first stakes winner.
Texas Chatterbox earned a berth in the November 5, $100,000 John Deere Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) at Los Alamitos and $17,731 to boost her career earnings to $38,001. The victory was her fourth in 10 outs and first in a stakes.
La Torch, the 8-5 favorite, ran third and was followed by Apollo Babe 123, One Fast Kisser, Sixes Ms Perry, Gold Viperess, Injuns Special and Geeze.
Little Kool Barbie, the 7-5 choice, led at every call to win the Grade 3, $58,770 Bayer Legend Texas Derby Challenge (G3). Ridden by Gilbert Ortiz for Ramiro Lopez of Houston, Texas, and his son Armando, the Mr Jess Perry filly was winning for the fourth time in seven races and nearly doubling her earnings to $59,250. Heath Taylor was the winning trainer.
Little Kool Barbie traveled 400 yards in :19.820 and earned a 100 speed index. The filly was bred by Lopez and Bob Gaston and is one of four starters foaled by champion and Grade 1 winner Kool Kue Baby, who won 25 stakes and earned $783,519 during a career that spanned from 1994-2000. Little Kool Barbie is a half sister to 2003 Sam Houston Derby (G2) winner First N Kool and two-time graded stakes winner First Kool Baby.
Man With Money, a 23-1 longshot, ran second. Cartel Leader, Grade 2 winner Kathys Star Quest, Maid It Special, All About Ease, Ezy The Runner, Amys Eye Opener, Sizzlin Red Corona and First Place King completed the order of finish.
My Prince Of Strides outran his 13-1 odds for a wire-to-wire victory in the Grade 3, 870-yard MD Barns Texas Distance Challenge. Under Mark Page, the 5-year-old gelding by Phone Prince (TB) earned his first stakes win and third overall victory in 29 races. Matt Baker prepped My Prince Of Strides for owner and breeder Warner Croft of Austin, Texas.
One of two American Quarter Horse stakes winners sired by Phone Prince, a 14-year-old stallion by Phone Trick (TB), My Prince Of Strides covered the trip in :45.338 and earned a lifetime-best 100 speed index. The gelding is one of seven starters foaled by Red Toronada, a winning and stakes-placed daughter of the Beduino (TB) stallion Bedago and a full brother to 2003 Gillespie County Handicap (R) winner High Strideing Hero.
In addition to earning $14,459 to push his career bankroll to $43,924, My Prince Of Strides earned a berth in the $100,000 MD Barns Distance Challenge Championship (G1) on November 5 at Los Alamitos.
Reigning distance champion Run And Pray, the 11-10 choice, ran second and was followed by Kaydena, Get Solid, Halfway A Streak, Zooms The Word, Mr Yawl and Sherrys Aria.
WYOMING DOWNS: Go For Fame, a homebred 4-year-old mare by Floyd De Great ridden by Cody Jensen, posted her fifth career stakes victory in the $70,740 MBNA America Northwest Challenge (G2), one of five American Quarter Horse stakes this track presented on July 10. Prepped by Bret Vickery and aided by a tail wind estimated at 10 mph, Go For Fame went 440 yards in :21.523 to earn a lifetime-best 111 speed index and her 11th win in 21 outs.
Go For Fame races for Gary and Jeralyn Messenger of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and she is one of 10 stakes winners from 12 crops sired by Floyd De Great, a Grade 1-winning stallion by Coup De Kas (TB) whose 177 starters have earned more than $1.2 million. The mare’s dam, Sold On Fame, is a winning graded-stakes placed daughter of Dash Ta Fame who also foaled Fames First Wrangler, a gelding by First Wrangler who won this year’s Dixie Downs Derby in Utah.
In total, Go For Fame has earned $115,680, and his most recent win earned her a berth in the November 5, $300,000 MBNA America Challenge Championship (G1) at Los Alamitos. Her other stakes wins include the May 8 John Deere Northwest Distaff Challenge at Sun Downs and last year’s Bayer Legend Northwest Derby Challenge (G3) at Les Bois Park.
Streakin Kilobyte, the 17-10 favorite finished second, a nose behind the winner, and was followed by Changing Leaders, Biscuit Snatcher, Proud Lil Lady, Buddy B Gone, Movin Meter, Legendary Dreamer and See You In Court.
Also on July 10, Travis Hamilton rode BK Saxton to an off-the-pace, one-length victory in the 300-yard, $35,950 Blane Schvaneveldt Futurity. Saddled by Jay Pitcher for Lamont Poulsen of Smithfield, Utah, the gelding became the 11th stakes winner from 11 crops sired by the Dash For Cash stallion Society Road, as he covered the trip in :15.398 to earn a 103 speed index and his third win in four outs.
BK Saxton was bred by Brent and Karl Peterson of Logan, Utah, and the gray gelding is the first starter produced by Tiffany Lane, a winning daughter of Lanes Leinster. The third-place finisher in the May 21 Beehive Futurity (R) at Laurel Brown Racetrack near Salt Lake City, BK Saxton has earned $20,302.
Cocktailisfortheroad ran second, a nose in front of 17-10 choice Likely Clinched. Sky Boot, Easy Ops, Splash Abit Dash, DT Keepashoeing, Call Me Amy Gray, LL Raise The Cash and Pistol Backin Bunny completed the order of finish.
Edgen Out, the 4-5 choice, won the $12,000 Dusty Stimpson/Jody Behunin Memorial Derby for Jill Giles of Bluebell, Utah. Trainer Wes Giles, the owner’s husband, gave a leg up to Jay Conklin, who rode the Dealin Out filly to her fifth victory in seven starts and second stakes triumph.
Bred by Curtis Richens of Albion, Idaho, Edgen Out is the only stakes winner from four crops sired by Dealin Out, a 10-year-old winning stallion by Chicks Beduino. The filly is one of two starters foaled by her dam, the winning Hugo Streakin mare Streakin Hugo Lady, and she is a half sister to Where I Go Hugo, the winner of the June 18, $41,988 Utah Classic Futurity (RG3).
Edgen Out’s earnings total $18,095, as the filly won last year’s Nebo Stallion All-Breed Futurity (R) at Wyoming Downs and was a finalist in the Four Corners Futurity (G3) at SunRay Park in Farmington, New Mexico.
Go Love A Lark Go ran second, a head behind Edgen Out, who covered 350 yards in :17.418 for a 102 speed index, her lifetime best. Moflo Foxy, The Budget Crunch, Champion Ways, WSS Famous Lajolla, Chik Called Cash, LS Lazy Money, Knights Special and With Secret Intent completed the order of finish.
Sweet Tiger Lily, a homebred filly racing for Broken Bones Cattle Co. of Lander, Wyoming, posted her fourth stakes win in the $17,790 Wyoming All-Breeds Derby (R) for state-bred sophomores. Antonio Perez rode Sweet Tiger Lily for trainer Jesse Villegas, and the filly went 400 yards in :20.086 en route to a neck victory over 11-10 longshot Secrets And Lies.
Sweet Tiger Lily is one of three stakes winners from seven crops sired by First N Six, a winning 11-year-old stallion by First Down Dash. The filly is one of four starters and the lone stakes winner produced by her winning dam, the Camelot King mare Sweet Beddy Bye, and she has earned $49,219 from eight victories in 16 outs.
Conn Astle ran third, 1 ¾ lengths behind the winner, and was followed by I Like A Stylis Rose, Goody Goody Goody, KC Eye On Cash, Alittlevictorydash, Hobo Jungle and Isaws Candy Man.
Thefourthcommandment captured the 350-yard, $31,890 Wyoming All-Breeds Futurity (R) for owner and breeder Allan Ostdahl of Rock Springs, Wyoming. The sorrel gelding became the first American Quarter Horse stakes winner sired by Danjur (TB), 13-year-old stallion by Dayjur (TB), as he covered 350 yards in :18.042 for his second win in three outs. Kelly Wahlen and Terrill Gibbs were the winning rider and trainer, respectively.
Thefourthcommandment, a lifetime earner of $12,860, is one of seven starters foaled by his dam, the First Down Dash mare Mikes Cheerleader, and the gelding represents his dam’s lone stakes winner. His second dam, the Aforethought (TB) mare Shes A Thought, earned $40,012 and won three stakes – including the 1978 Lassie Handicap (first division) at Los Alamitos.
Ms Bunny Rabbit ran second, three-quarters of a length from the winner, and was followed by Rebs Midnight Money, Sixes Lucky Streak, DM Special Return, Wabbit On A High, NF Will Run For Cash, Beddy Bye Melody, Illusive Secret and Celebrity Flight.
JULY 1-4
ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIR: Splashn Joe, a 7-year-old Splash Bac gelding racing for Erasmo Hernandez of Norwalk, California, and trained by Hector Hernandez, won the July 2, $10,420 PCQHRA Handicap. Carrying the high weight of 125 pounds, Splashn Joe defeated Appeals King Special by a half of a length under Alvaro Gomez. The victory was his ninth in 29 races and first in a stakes, and the $5,682 winner’s share of the purse pushed his earnings to $51,318.
Splashn Joe was bred by Joseph Rhodes of Garland, Utah, and he is one of 28 stakes winners from seven crops sired by Splash Bac, a 12-year-old stallion by Tolltac who won the 1995 Governor’s Cup Futurity (RG1) at Los Alamitos. A one-time $8,000 claimer, the gelding is one of five starters foaled by his dam, PR Dashs Charm, a winning daughter of the Dash For Cash stallion PR Man.
Its Time To Jazz ran third, 1 ¼ lengths behind the winner, who covered 350 yards in :17.718 to earn a season-best 103 speed index. Leave A Legacy, Mr McKnight and Erato completed the order of finish.
ARAPAHOE PARK: Russ Vicchrilli rode Kick Em In The Buds to a nose victory in the 330-yard Cherry Creek Futurity (RG3) on July 2. Prepped by Chris Gandarilla for owner and breeder Stanley Ryel of Commerce City, Colorado, Kick Em In The Buds covered the trip in :16.746 to earn a lifetime-best 97 speed index and his second win in three outs.
A gelding, Kick Em In The Buds became the 11th stakes winner from four crops sired by Strawflyin Buds, a Grade 1-winning stallion by Strawfly Special whose 236 starters have earned more than $1.4 million. His dam, the winning Chicks Beduino mare Flash Note, has produced two starters, and Kick Em In The Buds represents her first stakes winner.
The winner’s share of the $95,690 Cherry Creek purse boosted Kick Em In The Buds’ earnings to $42,116. Hustle To The Lead, the 9-5 favorite, ran second, a half of a length in front of Dash Hum Dash. Timinator Baynes,Dancing Chivato, fastest qualifier AM Glass Of Cash, Juanitas Little Joy, Three Oh Chivat Ohs and Dash To Smash completed the order of finish.
Two days later, Major Journey broke sharply from post 4 and led at every call for a one-length victory in the 870-yard, $10,850 Rocky Mountain Marathon Stakes. Rodrigo Jaime rode the homebred 4-year-old Major Rime gelding for owners Bill and Phyllis Meier of Belen, New Mexico, and trainer Dominic Duree. Major Journey’s :44.777 clocking was good for a career-best 103 speed index and his fifth win in nine outs and first stakes victory.
Major Journey is one of six stakes winners from seven crops sired by Major Rime, a 13-year-old stallion by the Dash For Cash stallion Rime who won seven stakes and ran third in the 2004 All American Futurity (G1). His dam, the winning Special Effort mare Travlers Odyssey, also produced Storybook Rime, a full sister to Major Journey who ran second in the 1997 New Mexico State Fair Senorita Futurity (RG3), and Wally Street, a Late To Bed stallion who ran second in the 2000 New Mexican Spring Fling (R).
Major Journey’s Rocky Mountain Marathon score represented his fourth consecutive victory and boosted his bankroll to $49,007. Hez Cool Man ran second and was followed by 4-5 favorite Lukfata Louis (TB), Think Red and Strollin Spirit.
On July 3, Jeff Hibberd's Vital Jewel entered the winner's circle of the $20,250 John Deere West/Southwest Distaff Challenge (G3). Winning by a half-length over Lady Six Meter, the Vital Sign mare earned her first stakes victory. She was trained by Mike Wakefield and ridden by Esgar Ramirez. She covered the 400 yards in :20.072, and earned herself a berth in the November 5 John Deere Distaff Championship (G1) at Los Alamitos.
Rarest Daisy finished third after tiring late, and was followed by SIxdasher Anna, A Rare Gem, Ronas Legend and Cee Me Now.
Vital Jewel has won three of 15 starts and earned $31,131. Bred by Larry Hibberd, Vital Jewel is out of the Frisco Flare mare Friscos Diamond Bug.
CANTERBURY PARK: The 3-2 choice, Classy Sheikh (TB) drew off to win the July 2, $18,050 Mean Competitor Stakes, named in honor of the Kitaman gelding who won four distance stakes at this track from 1986-88. Under Scott Stevens, who rode the 9-year-old gelding by Sheikh Albadou (TB) for owner Richard Galyen and trainer David Vank Winkle, Classy Sheikh covered 870 yards in :45.009 en route to a 3 ½-length victory over Well Rock My World.
Bred in Kentucky by Triple AAA Ranch, Classy Sheikh ran his record in 870-yard races to four-for-four. The gelding’s victories at the distance include last year’s Mean Competitor Stakes and the Turf Paradise 870 Challenge Stakes in Arizona.
First To Ramble ran third, 5 ½ lengths behind the winner and was followed by Pancho (TB), Happy Yodeler (TB), Royal Ligigation, Yucca Ducka Ya Ya and Gone Psycho.
On July 3, My Girl Jessie recorded her first stakes win in the $62,600 Northlands Futurity (G3). Ridden by Debbie Freeman for Donald Friesen of Henderson, Nebraska, and trainer Pat Swan, the filly by champion Mr Jess Perry defeated A Royal Return by a half of a length in :18.003 for 350 yards.
Bred by Michael Pohl of Houston, Texas, My Girl Jessie is one of five starters foaled by her dam, First Dashetta, a daughter of world champion First Down Dash who is a full sister to Grade 3 winner Determined Dash. The filly became the 46th stakes winner from seven crops sired by Mr Jess Perry, the sport’s champion 2-year-old in 1994.
My Girl Jessie has won two of six races, ran second in the April 16, $250,823 Remington Park Futurity (G1) and was a finalist in the Grade 1 Heritage Place Futurity. The $31,300 winner’s share of the Northlands purse pushed her bankroll to $104,625.
Waving Bye ran third and was followed by 8-5 favorite First Down Sixes, Dianetogetcha, Jess Braveheart, TR Special, Sizzling Bikini, Absolut Stoli and Greenskeeper.
DELTA DOWNS: JLS Streak Of Snow earned her third lifetime stakes victory in the July 2, $25,000 Miss Polly Classic (G3). Covering 400 yards in :20.000, JLS Streak Of Snow pinned a nose defeat on odds-on choice Tell Em Im Gone, who was the runner-up in last year’s Ruidoso Futurity (G1) and a finalist in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Million Futurity. Steve Fuller rode the homebred 4-year-old This Snow Is Royal mare for owner JLS Speed Horse Ranch of Opelousas, Louisiana, and trainer Darrel Soileau.
JLS Streak Of Snow was sent to post as the 3-1 second choice and returned an $8.80 win mutuel. The mare, a lifetime winner of five of 21 races, has won three of five this year, including the May 22 John Deere East Distaff Challenge (G3), where she earned a berth in the November 5, $100,000 John Deere Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) at Los Alamitos.
The winner’s share of the Miss Polly purse pushed JLS Streak Of Snow’s earnings to $121,362. The mare is one of eight starters foaled by her winning dam, the On A High mare Dancing Tonight, and she is a half sister to Ms Pilot Point, the winner of the April 17 Sophomore Showdown Stakes.
Ride With The King ran third and was followed by Bar Top De Great, Big Red Tequila and Dash On My Looks.
Also on July 2, Mr Agustal outran his 8-1 odds to win the 870-yard, $15,000 Virgil Bond Stakes. Under Orlando Baldillez, the 6-year-old Mr Eye Opener gelding defeated Natural Task by a head, completing the trip in :46.210 while making his first start since August 21. Mark Langford prepped Mr Augustal for owners Sheila Reed and Wesley Anglin.
Bred by Anglin and C.E. Tuttle of Catoosa, Oklahoma, Mr Agustal has won five of 22 races – including the 2003 Hoosier Park Classic Stakes in Indiana – and has earned $71,621. The gelding is one of 58 stakes winners from nine crops sired by Mr Eye Opener, and he is one of four starters produced by his dam, the Bully Bullion mare Iam Ridiculous, who won the 1995 Blue Ribbon Futurity (G1).
Natural Task ran second and was followed by 2-1 favorite Not Much Color, Bagobucks, King Décor, Dash Of Clorox, My Maseratti, Special D Dash and Copper.
This track presented another Quarter Horse stakes doubleheader on July 3, as Make A Secret held on for a neck victory in the Grade 2, $231,300 Firecracker Futurity. Covering 350 yards in :17.720, the California-bred gelding became the 43rd stakes winner sired by the 22-year-old L’Natural (TB) stallion Raise A Secret. Make A Secret races for the Houston, Texas-based partnership of Southwest Racing Partners and was ridden by Juan Vazquez for trainer Heath Taylor.
Bred by John Andreini of San Mateo, California, Make A Secret has won one of four races and has earned $105,990. The gelding is one of five starters foaled by his dam, the Calyx mare Make A Run, who won the Grade 3 Manor Downs Lassie Futurity and Retama Park Heritage Place Futurity (R) in 1996. His second dam, the winning Easy Jet mare Sheza Achiever, also produced Magnum Jess, a stakes-placed Mr Jess Perry colt who was a finalist in the 2004 Rainbow Derby (G1).
Holland Hollywood, Allyouneedislove, Sin Tacha Perry, Miracle Streak, St Pats First, BJs Flyer, Jess A Lil Bit, Protean and Magical Thunder completed the order of finish.
Also on July 3, Gilbert Ortiz rode 3-2 favorite Check The Account to a neck victory in the $96,100 Firecracker Derby (G2). Saddled by Heath Taylor for owners Roger Knight Jr. and Dave Ward, the filly by champion and second-year sire Separatist went 400 yards in :19.810 for a 98 speed index and her fifth win in 11 outs.
Check The Account was bred by Henry Brown of Mesa, Arizona, a 20-consecutive-year breeder who has in his own name bred two champions, 15 stakes winners and the earners of more than $4.1 million. The filly became the third stakes winner sired by Separatist, whose 168 starters have earned more than $2.2 million and include champion DM Shicago. Her dam, the Check The Charts mare The Checking Account, won the 1999 Blue Ribbon Derby (G3) and earned $49,797 during a career that spanned from 1998-2000.
Check The Account’s victory was her first in a stakes, and the $43,245 winner’s share of the purse more than doubled her earnings to $77,060.
Ms Pilot Point ran second, a neck in front of Wings Of La Jolla. Dirty But First and First Comment finished in a dead heat for fourth, and were followed by Zoomin Thru, Streakin Attitude, Quick Kisses, Shez Official and Streakin Straw Man.
EUREKA DOWNS: This track presented an American Quarter Horse stakes doubleheader before a closing-day crowd of 1,450 on July 4. Tru Show, a 7-1 longshot, extended his win streak to three with a three-quarter length victory in the $40,477 Kansas Bred Futurity (RG3). Covering 350 yards in :17.876 behind an 8-mph tail wind, Tru Show earned $12,143 to boost his bankroll to $15,441. Fernando Camacho rode the Special Show gelding for owner Leigh Beeson of Parsons, Kansas, and trainer Dev Beeson.
Bred by Willaim N. Bendure of Independence, Missouri, Tru Show became the 11th stakes winner from 12 crops sired by Special Show, an 18-year-old stakes-winning stallion by world champion Special Effort whose 279 starters have earned more than $1.7 million. The gelding is one of four starters produced by his winning dam, Amanda B Tru, a 14-year-old daughter of the Beduino (TB) stallion Batir, and he is a full brother to the stakes-placed Try Show.
Darlin Thru N Thru ran second and was followed by Im Valued, Drivingfortheweekend, Shake Three, Junos Dash Anywhere, G1 Fuel, Mad Mattie, Extreme Gift and Toast To Kate. Shaky Three and Toast To Kate were a coupled entry and sent to post as the 13-10 favorites.
Also on July 4, Paying The Bar rallied to win the $17,379 Kansas Bred Derby (R) at odds of 25-1. Under Elaline Burns, who rode the homebred Rare Bar filly for owners Darvin and Evelyn Banzet of Wichita, Kansas, and trainer Glen Melson, Paying The Bar traveled 400 yards in :19.919 to earn a lifetime-best 105 speed index and her first stakes victory.
Paying The Bar is one of seven stakes winner from eight crops sired by Rare Bar, a 15-year-old stallion by Rare Jet who won six graded stakes and earned $263,396 from 1992-96 and was the sport’s champion aged stallion in 1995. The filly is one of two starters produced by her winning dam, the Tolltac mare Paying The Toll. Her second dam, the Song O My Heart mare Sayseebon, won the 1988 Miss Peninsula Handicap (G3) at Bay Meadows and produced Grade 3 winner Winters Heart, a half brother to Paying The Toll.
Winning for the third time in 16 outs, Paying The Bar boosted her earnings to $13,567.
Vacation Driver, the 3-2 favorite, ran second, three-quarters of a length in front of Shell Drive. Drivers Britches, Lady Im Good, Cowboys Clown, Cartel Wilie, Driving On, Larietta and Randine completed the order of finish.
Sunday, Kansas Jackpot Maturity favorite Say Speedy Driven cleared the field by 1 1/2 lengths to win the 400-yard $11,800 stakes in :20.045. Steered by Gary Nelson, the 5-year-old My Designated Driver gelding made his first start in nine months. His last start was a fourth-place effort in the October 30 Woodlands Championship Handicap.
Trained by Clarence Garrett, the gelding is owned by Randy Garrett. He has now won 11 of 17 starts, two of which were stakes, including the same race last year. He has now earned $51,115.
Bred by Paul Newmaster of Neodesha, Kansas, Say Speedy Driven is the sixth foal of the winning Runnin On Class mare Say Running. He is her first stakes winner. Sire My Designated Driver has five stakes winners to his credit from 80 starters. Fourty seven of those are winners, and his foals have earned more than $780,000 on the track.
GRANTS PASS DOWNS: Royal Suspect, the 19-10 favorite coupled in the wagering with stablemate Miles Of Knud Chicks, led at every call en route to a 1 ¼-length score in the $35,750 Grants Pass Firecracker Futurity (G3) on July 4. Victor Miranda rode the Oklahoma-bred gelding by Ausual Suspect for owner Virginia Austin of Grants Pass, Oregon, and trainer Mark Garrison.
Covering 350 yards in :17.580, Royal Suspect earned a lifetime-best speed index of 103. The gelding, who was a finalist in the April 24 Pot O’Gold Futurity (G3) at Sun Downs, became the first stakes winner sired by freshman sire Ausual Suspect, a 6-year-old Strawfly Special stallion who won the 2001 All American Futurity (G1). Bred by Randy and Abby Beal of Grove, Oklahoma, Royal Suspect is one of three starters foaled by his winning dam, the Tolltac mare Three Times Royal.
All told, Royal Suspect has won one of four races and has earned $17,966. Andys My Dash, Two Dash To Fame, B1 In The Knud, Dazzlin Dory, Time To Fly Strait, Streakin County and Miles Of Knud Chicks completed the order of finish.
LOS ALAMITOS: Fastest qualifier and 17-10 favorite Dasha Freda earned her first stakes victory in the $44,640 Bayer Legend California Derby Challenge (G3) on July 1. Ridden by Sam Thompson for owners Don and Kathy Meneely’s Quarter K Inc. of Kennewick, Washington, and trainer Donna McArthur, the Mr Jess Perry filly covered 400 yards in :19.526 and defeated 2-1 second choice Budj by a head.
Dasha Freda was bred by Robert Gentry of Lubbock, Texas, and she became the 46th stakes winner from seven crops sired by Mr Jess Perry, a Streakin La Jolla stallion who was the sport’s champion 2-year-old in 1994 and whose 439 starters have earned more than $13.3 million. The filly’s dam, the Dash For Cash mare Fearless Freda, earned $262,121 and won three stakes, including the 1996 Texas Classic Derby (G1) and QHBC Championship Classic (G1). She also produced Grade 3 winner Fredericksburg, a full brother to Dasha Freda.
"We knew that her family runs better when they turn three," said Kathy Meneeley. “Dasha Freda qualified to the Ed Burke Futurity last year, so we knew that she was a pretty good runner. To see her win this race, that's a big thrill for my husband, our son Shawn and me."
Dasha Freda’s victory was her fourth in 13 races, and the $22,320 winner’s share of the purse pushed her earnings to $94,241. The filly also earned a berth in the November 5, $175,000 Bayer Legend Derby Challenge Championship (G1) at Los Alamitos.
Modem ran third and was followed by Eyes For The Knud, Dash On A Mission, Have A Coronary, First Down Toll, Pilsner, Loves To Shine, and La Jolla Ca.
On July 3, Carols Treasure (PT) ran her win streak to four with a one-length victory in the 300-yard, $32,650 Independence Day Handicap. Ridden by Saul Ramirez Jr. for owner John Sperry of Garden Grove, California, and trainer Paul Jones, the daughter of Treasured Too (PT) covered the trip in :15.321 en route to her sixth win in eight races and third stakes score.
Carols Treasure was bred by Mr Bar None Ranch of Wagoner, Oklahoma, and her latest victory pushed her earnings to $68,486. The 4-year-old mare’s dam, Zelmas Dash, was an unraced daughter of champion Royal Quick Dash. Carols Treasure’s win streak includes victories in the February 18 Easy Date Handicap and the Miss Princess Handicap (G3) on April 9.
Pennants Chick ran second and was followed by Point Break, Knud Chicks, 8-5 choice Just Wanna Be Me, Ancient Mariner, Keep Him and Win For Pancho.
RUIDOSO DOWNS: Sarahs Fast Man became a stakes winner for the first time in the $25,000 Higheasterjet Handicap, named in honor of the 1980 All American Futurity winner, before 4,668 fans on July 2. Ridden by Roy Baldillez, the homebred 4-year-old Heza Fast Man gelding reached the wire a nose in front of 4-5 favorite A Long Goodbye in :17.299 for 350 yards, missing by just 5/100ths of a second the stakes record set by Push The Pace two years ago. C. Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath prepped Sarahs Fast Man for Darrell and Kenneth Powell of Denton, Texas.
Sarahs Fast Man became the 42nd stakes winner from eight crops sired by Heza Fast Man, a Grade 1-winning stallion by The Signature whose 385 starters include 256 winners and the earners of more than $7.4 million. The gelding, one of five starters foaled by the stakes-placed Victory Dash mare Easy Rumors, is a half brother to the stakes-winning This Snow Is Royal mare Royal Rumors.
A finalist in last year’s Rainbow (G1) and Ruidoso (G2) derbies, Sarahs Fast Man has earned $52,665.
Hersey Moon Bar and Dashin Kirk finished in a dead heat for fourth and were followed by A Royale Fling, Zip This Fly, Circle Of Light, Corona Magnifico and Strawfly Romance.
On July 4, Joan Dale Hubbard’s Tricky Dust, a homebred 5-year-old gelding by Favorite Trick (TB), made his season debut with a 1 ¾-length victory in the 870-yard, $25,000 Master Salls Handicap (G3). Ridden by Saul Ramirez Jr. for trainer Paul Jones, Tricky Dust was making his first start since December 12, when he ran seventh in the $164,000 Marathon National Stakes (G1) at Los Alamitos.
Tricky Dust covered the trip in :44.947 and earned a 100 speed index. The gelding is one of two American Quarter Horse stakes winners from two crops sired by Favorite Trick, a 10-year-old stallion by Phone Trick (TB). His dam, the winning Dash For Cash mare Stardust Dash, is a half sister to seven-time stakes winner The Zia Star who also produced reigning distance champion Prankster CF, a full brother to Tricky Dust.
Tricky Dust’s victory was his fourth in 19 starts, and the $15,000 winner’s share of the Master Salls increased his earnings to $81,012. The gelding’s two lifetime stakes wins include last year’s 870-yard Newport Beach Handicap at Los Alamitos.
TME Eyezasaint ran second and was followed by Runnin Roscoe, Behold Time Rey, 5-2 favorite King Rick Rack, Sixdances Come Easy, Showboat Six and A Dasha Red.
SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK: Si Puede, a homebred filly by Holland Ease, validated her status as the 13-10 choice with a three-quarter length win in the Gulf Coast Stakes (R) for Texas-bred 3-year-olds on July 2. Racing for Lukin Gilliland of San Antonio, Si Puede went 350 yards in :17.905 for her fifth victory in 10 starts and first stakes score.
“She was standing real good in the gate, and we stood for a long time,” said Jose Vega, who rode Si Puede for trainer Dave Correll. “When she left, we got bumped a little bit by (Mito Perry), but she just kept on running. She did it pretty easy. She ran well at Remington; she’s run well here. She has a big heart.”
Si Puede became the 31st stakes winner from 10 crops sired by Holland Ease, a First Down Dash stallion who won the 1992 Golden State Derby (G1). She is the first starter produced by her dam, the winning Creole Dancer (TB) mare Ruthies Dancer, and the $8,850 winner’s share of the $14,750 Gulf Coast purse boosted her bankroll to $77,530.
“She’s a real nice filly,” said Correll of Si Puede, who ran second in the April 9 Lazy E Derby (RG2) and last year’s Grade 2 Sunland Park Fall Futurity. “She’s very consistent. We’ll see how she pulled up, but we are pointing her to the Sam Houston and Texas Classic derbies.”
Pretty Boy Memories, a 19-1 longshot, ran second and was followed by Rustys Flyer, GW Money Talks, Chocolate Cartel, Stylish Runner, Quick Lee Ann, Mito Perry, and Streakin Ahoy.