Page 155 - August 2015

Governor’s Cup Futurity-RG2
PHOEBES DYNASTY
by Michael Compton
Phoebes Dynasty kept her perfect record intact after 4 lifetime starts, dashing to a game score in the $389,500 Governor’s Cup
Futurity-RG2, the richest of 12 stakes events during the 16th annual California Breeders’ Champions night at Los Alamitos July 25.
The 2-year-old gelding had been nothing short of sensational in his initial three outings, and enjoyed a coming out party of sorts in the Governor’s Cup Futurity final.
Ridden by Eduardo Nicasio, Phoebes Dynasty broke alertly and poked his head in front soon after the start. He dueled the length of the lane with Budder Think Twice and defeated that stubborn rival by a neck at the wire. Phoebes Dynasty covered the 350 yards in :17.740 and earned a speed index of 87.
Nicasio partnered with Phoebes Dynasty for his debut maiden score and was reunited with him for the Governor’s Cup Futurity trials on July 11. The veteran rider admitted to being a tad nervous before the start of the race.
“I was the nervous one,” Nicasio said. “He is usually very energetic and bouncing around, but tonight he was really calm. He was either very ready to run or had no interest in run- ning. I didn’t know what was going to happen, but once the gates opened he was ready. This is nice because I’ve worked with this horse the entire year. It feels good when you’ve been a part of the process from the start.”
Phoebes Dynasty picked up $163,590 in winning his fourth consecutive race for trainer Christopher O’Dell and now boasts earnings of $171,620.
A homebred for Jay and Char Parsons and their Parsons Ranch, Phoebes Dynasty is out of the winning mare PJ Flying Phoebe. Her sons include stakes winner Azshecanfly and stakes finalist Sizzling PJ. Phoebes Dynasty’s second dam is Dashing Phoebe, who pro- duced All American Futurity-G1 winner and Champion Heartswideopen and the O’Dell- trained Special Phoebe.
“This family has been great to me,” O’Dell noted. “Phoebes Dynasty was the last colt out of this mare because she’s since passed away. It’s hard to find daughters of Dashing Phoebe, but I’ll be at the sales looking for second generation mares from this great family. If it’s named ‘Phoebe’ I want it. I even have a dog named Phoebe. This bloodline has been so special to me and they are all class.”
O’Dell indicated that Phoebes Dynasty tipped her hand early.
“I’m behind the gate whenever we work our 2 year olds to get them ready, and the first time this horse worked I could hear this horse making this (roaring) noise as he raced. I’ve never heard that before, but that’s how much power he had,” O’Dell said.
“I’m very lucky this
year in that I feel like I’m
loaded with good 2 year
olds,” O’Dell added. “That’s all about the great breeding program of the Parsons and
the Rosenthals, who also had a horse in the Governor’s Cup. Their horse, Fire at Will, had trouble at the start and I just went ‘Oh no,’ but then I saw that Phoebes Dynasty was battling for the lead, so my focus went to her. I would have loved to have run 1-2 with their horses because they’re both great horses, but (the) Rosenthals have trusted me with some great babies and their time will come.”
Governor’s Cup Futurity runner-up Budder Think Twice (First Down Dash-Budderfly
Effect), ridden by Omar Reyes, lost for just the second time in five career starts. The sorrel filly qualified for the Ed Burke Million Futurity-G1 and finished fifth in that prestigious race in her only other defeat. Bred by Double Bar S Ranch, Budder Think Twice races for McColee Land and Livestock and was saddled by Cody Joiner.
Shut Out finished third under Cruz Mendez. The filly, who is from the family of Grade 1 winner Snitcher, was
saddled by trainer Jose Flores, who races her in partnership with Bradley Hart.
Followed by Little Talks (Favorite Cartel- Babe On the Fly), Miss Sadie Thompson (Walk Thru Fure-Rieda Hay Worth), One Sweet Runaway (One Sweet Jess-DLT Runaway), Fire at Will, (Favorite Cartel- What Fire), Sale Topper (Walk Thru Fire- Departing), Romantic Fire (Walk Thru Fire-Romanticist) & Unclaimed Dividend (A Mere Chocolate-Chavela Magic).
Los Alamitos $389,500 • 350 yards :17.740 • si 87
First Down Dash
FDD Dynasty
Dinastia Toll BRZ
PHOEBES DYNASTY, ‘13-g.
Strawfly Special
PJ Flying Phoebe
Dashing Phoebe
Phoebes Dynasty & Eduardo Nicasio win the $389,500 Governor’s Cup Futurity
SPEEDHORSE, August 2015 153
RACING NEWS
Los Alamitos