Page 201 - September 2016

Calif. Breeders’ Matron S.-RG3
QUIRKY
By Michael Cusortelli
Reigning Champion Aged Mare Quirky returned to the racetrack as a winner in 2016, taking
the Charger Bar Handicap-G1 on January 3 at Los
Alamitos. In her second out of the year, the home- bred 5 year old was a prompt 3-10 favorite in the $40,000 California Breeders’ Matron Stakes-RG3 at Los Alamitos on July 30.
Ridden by Eulices Gomez and making her first start in nearly seven months, Quirky defeated Vivid in a wire-to-wire win by 3/4-lengths in :19.853 for 400 yards. James Glenn, Jr. prepped Quirky for owner Ed Allred.
Quirky’s win was her ninth in 17 starts, and
the $22,000 winner’s share of the purse from the mare’s eighth stakes score bumped her earnings to $415,598. She’ll be pointed to the September 25, 400-yard Mildred Vessels Memorial Handicap-G1, a race she won last year.
Quirky made her season debut with a head victory in the 400-yard, $100,000 Charger Bar Handicap-G1 on January 3.
“She’s run in a lot of huge races, but this was the first race back off of a layoff where I’ve felt the most pres- sure,” Glenn said. “It’s good to have that pressure off. She ran great. She’s so special. She’s put me on the map.”
The winner of the May 14 Miss Princess Handicap-G3 for distaffers, Vivid (Walk Thru Fire-Realistically) is a 4-year-old filly campaigned by Howard Nichols. Jairo Rangel rode Vivid for trainer Jose Flores.
Francisco Vega’s Bac In Front (Foose-Running Bac) finished in third place. Carlos Huerta rode the graded stakes winning 4-year-old filly for trainer Jaime Gomez.
Bring Me Home (Stel Corona-Bring Me Joy) finished fourth followed by Walk Around Blues (Walk Thru Fire-Queens R Blue) and Foo Who (Foose-Env).
Merial LA Distaff Champ. Chal-G2
MAGGIE DURANT
by Tracy Gantz
Idaho produces many talented, hard-knocking race- horses, and Maggie Durant certainly qualifies. The 3-year-old filly just this year has won five races on
the tough Los Alamitos circuit, most recently in the Grade 2 Merial Los Alamitos Distaff Championship Challenge on Aug. 13.
Maggie Durant came away from the gate in second under jockey Carlos Huerta. Tallulah Moon shot
to the lead and several others got into the mix, but Maggie Durant exploded late between horses to win by a nose in :19.958 for the 400 yards. The $14,382 win- ner’s share of the purse boosts her earnings to $47,674.
“She’s a little pro,” said trainer Lin Melton. “She gets better and better.”
Melton owns Maggie Durant in partnership
with breeder Spackman Racing. In addition to her numerous Los Alamitos victories, The filly finished second in this year’s La Pacifica Handicap and Emma Bug Handicap. Maggie Durant is 1 of 9 winners in 11 starters out of stakes winner Up Down Dash. Her oth- ers include stakes winners Head Bud and Bud Cheeks and stakes-placed Down The List and Right Side Up.
Mike and Sherry Reardon’s homebred Flyin Lion (Panther Mountain-Flaming Cynthia) finished second. Jesus Ayala rode the 6-year-old multiple stakes-winning horse for trainer Bill Hoburg.
Eulices Gomez piloted Kissin Kate Barlow (TR Dasher-Apollos Winner) to third. Monty Arossa trains the 3-year-old filly for owners Dawna and Delra Talbot. Kissin Kate Barlow broke her maiden in her last start prior to the Championship Challenge.
Completing the field were Political Chick (Apollitical Jess-Fearless Chick), Tallulah Moon (Corona Cartel-Splendifferous), KR Crusin Cartel (Carters Cartel-KR American Girl), Shoulda Kissed Me (FDD Dynasty-Love My Corona), Miss Racy Fire (Walk Thru Fire-Miss Racy Jess) and Million Dollar Kiss (Jess Louisiana Blue-Stoli Kiss).
Calif. Breeders’ Sprint Stakes
CLOSING TIME
by Michael Cusortelli
Making his 4-year-old debut, Closing Time led at every call en route to a convinc- ing 1-length victory in the $25,000 California
Breeders’ Sprint Stakes for California Breds at Los Alamitos on July 30.
Closing Time drifted in after breaking on top from the 7-hole, but steadily moved ahead of the field. He covered the 350 yards in :17.634 under jockey G. J. Rangel, who was recording his first-ever stakes win. Jose Flores prepped the gelding for owner Jose Gallardo of Goodyear, Arizona.
Gallardo claimed Closing Time for $16,000
on July 12, 2015. Since then, the gelding has won two races, including last year’s 350-yard Jens L. List California Breeders’ Stakes. This was Closing Time’s first start since 2015.
All told, Closing Time has won four of 16 starts while racing in California and Arizona,
and the $13,750 winner’s share of the California Breeders’ Sprint Stakes’ purse pushed his bankroll to $45,029.
Closing Time was bred by Ed Allred in California. The gelding is one of 10 winners from 11 starters produced by the winner Singles Scene. His full brother, Much Admired, won the 2008 California Breeders’ 550 Sophomore Stakes.
Runner-up Take A Look (Separatist-Look Her Over) is a homebred multiple graded stakes placed 4-year-old filly racing for Edward C. Allred. Eulices Gomez rode Take A Look for trainer James Glenn, Jr.
Old Six Six (Walk Thru Fire-Kingman Kin) ran a steady race finishing third. Tony Guymon rode the stakes winning 4-year-old gelding for owner Fawna Knight and trainer Mark Skeen.
Mrs Pickens (Walk Thru Fire-Pie Maid), Stel Heights (Stel Corona-Royal Heights), Cypriat (TR Dasher-Katie Katella), and Foosilame (Foose-Golden Butterfly RD) completed the order of finish.
Los Alamitos • $40,000 400 yards • :19.853 • si 89
Stel Corona QUIRKY, ’11-m.
Dont Pass Bar
Corona Cartel
Our Lips Are Sealed A Regal Choice Ynot Bar
Los Alamitos • $30,600 400 yards • :19.958 • si 87
One Sweet Jess MAGGIE DURANT, ’13-f.
Up Down Dash
Mr Jess Perry
One Sweet Dash First Down Dash Dimples Up
Los Alamitos • $25,000 350 yards • :17.634 • si 91
TR Dasher CLOSING TIME, ’12-g.
Singles Scene
First Down Dash Tylers Cutie Raise A Secret So Cal Miss
SPEEDHORSE, September 2016 199
RACING NEWS
Los Alamitos
Los Alamitos
Los Alamitos