Page 156 - August 2015

Lee Berwick Futurity-RG1
JESSA LOUISIANA ZOOM
by Michael Compton
Jessa Louisiana Zoom brought the curtain down on Delta Downs’ 2015 Quarter Horse season with an impressive victory in the $634,530 Lee Berwick Futurity-RG1, the mar- quee event during Louisiana Showcase night at Delta Downs July 11.
Piloted by Danny Lavergne, Jessa Louisiana Zoom raced to the front at the start of the 350-yard test. She received early pressure from The Renaissance Man, but shrugged off that challenge in the lane before bracing for a late rally from Shining Presence. With plenty left in the tank, Jessa Louisiana Zoom edged clear late to post a 1/2-length victory over Shining Presence, with The Renaissance Man another 1/2-length back in 3rd. The winner stopped the timer in :17.524 and earned a speed index of 90 for trainer Frank Cavazos.
In dispatching 8 rivals as the odds-on favorite, Jessa Louisiana Zoom remains undefeated through 4 career starts, all at Delta Downs. She won her career debut, taking her trial for the Louisiana Lassie Futurity. She went on to take down top prize in the Lassie Futurity before recording the third-fastest qualifying time for the Lee Berwick in win- ning her trial dash on June 20.
The $317,265 winner’s share increased her career bankroll to $473,153 for owners Jason Richards & Michael Leblanc, who acquired her for $22,000 as a yearling at last year’s Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders’ Association Sale.
“I guess you could say I was cautiously optimistic going into the final,” said Richards. “I knew we had a lot of horse left after the tri- als and she came into the finals feeling great. However, I also recognized the tremendous talent level of the other 9 finalists and knew that all of them were quite capable of running a huge race. When I saw her nail the break, I knew she was going to be tough to catch.”
It didn’t take long for Jessa Louisiana Zoom to flash her talent.
“We were very fortunate to have Danny LaVergne break her for us at his farm in Vinton, Louisiana, and ever since he first put a bit in her mouth she took it and ran,” Richards said. “I can remember my dad Roddy giving me a call one day to tell me about one of her breeze workouts and he said she doesn’t move like most horses. He knew she was special from the very beginning.
“The first time we ever worked her out of the gate we needed a jockey to work her because most of the riders were in Shreveport, so I called
up Danny to see if he would gate the filly for us, and
being the friend that he is, he dropped what he was doing and helped us out,” Richards continued. “To make a long story short, Frank got chills watching the filly work and Danny came out of retirement. That’s when I was convinced the horse we had always dreamed of had arrived.”
Bred in Louisiana by Lyle
Guillory, Jessa Louisiana Zoom is the initial stakes winner produced from the winning Azoom mare Zoomin for Cash. “We bought
this filly because of her pedigree,” Richards said. “She was not a real big yearling but we could tell that what she did have was all in the right places. Mike and I have always purchased yearlings with a pedigree-first mentality, and since we already had a nice runner from this exact same cross it was really just a matter of how much we were going to have to spend to take her home. We are both huge fans of Corona Cash and we would not be where we are today without her offspring.”
Jessa Louisiana Zoom exited the race in good order and will likely be pointed to some big races later in the year.
“Zoom is doing great,” Richards related. “The tenta- tive plan is to give her a much deserved rest and prepare her for the Louisiana Breeders Million futurity at Evangeline Downs later in the year.
Lee Berwick 2nd-place finisher Shining Presence (First to Shine-Provocative Presence) settled for runner-up honors for the 3rd consecutive race. Ridden by Donald Watson,
the gelding is owned by Rodney Verret and was saddled by Kenneth Roberts Sr. Roberts also sent out The Renaissance Man (Coronas Leaving You- Jewels Fortune), 3rd under Patrick Watson for Chad Hart & Bobby D. Cox. The gelding was 2nd in the Laddie Futurity-RG2 in May before winning his trial heat and recording the fastest qualifying time of :17.51 for the Lee Berwict. Followed by Its a Storm Warning (Game Patriot- Angels Cartel), Louisiana Fast Dash (Heza Fast Dash-Eyejesslovelouisiana), Streakin Bye U (Heza Fast Dash-Streakin Bye Salute), Fast Ladys Man (Jet Black Patriot-Miss Fortune Lady), No Mas Pantalones (Game Patriot-JLS Moma Mia) & One Fast Jet (Jet Black Patriot-Corona Cerveza). Toast To Catch scratched.
Delta Downs $634,530 • 350 yards :17.524 • si 90
Mr Jess Perry
Jess Louisiana Blue
The Louisiana Girl
JESSA LOUISIANA ZOOM, ‘13-f.
Azoom
Zoomin For Cash
Corona Cash
154 SPEEDHORSE, August 2015
Jessa Louisiana Zoom & Danny Lavergne go wire-to-wire in the $634,530 Lee Berwick Futurity-RG1
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Coady Photography