Page 38 - September 2016

2016 ALL AMERICAN FUTURITY QUALIFIERS
Race record: 3-2-0-0
The Marfa Lights & Larry Payne draw off to win their heat by 2 3/4-lengths
Day 1, Race #5
One of the first day’s most dramatic performances came out of the 5th trial by virtue of The Marfa Lights. The sorrel colt appeared to be
in perfect form leading up
to the All American trials, which he entered fresh off
a non-qualifying but strong win in a Rainbow Futurity- G1 trial. Veteran jockey Larry Payne was again in the saddle
on August 19, when The Marfa Lights loaded into post position seven in the 8-horse field. Breaking well, The Marfa Lights dueled early on and by the midway point of the race had taken command. He extended his advantage from there, racing to a 2 3/4-length win in :21.510. Owners Michael and Beth Harper, of San Antonio, Texas, bought the One Famous Eagle colt for $145,000 at the 2015 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, where he was consigned by Roger Daly, and changed the colt’s name from My First Selfie to The Marfa Lights. With a new moniker, the Vessels Stallion Farm-bred colt went to the barn of AQHA Past President and Hall of Fame member Jim Helzer to start his career. His pedigree carries high expectations, as he is out of 2001 AQHA Champion 2 Year Old and Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Your First Moon and is a half-brother to 2014 Champion 3-Year-Old and 2015 Cham- pion Aged Horse Moonist, who died from complications of colic in late June.
Magical Jess’ inside post posi- tion worked to his advantage in the 2nd All American Futurity trial on August 19. Racing from post position 3, Magical Jess avoided the trouble caused by next-door neighbor Silk On Fire V, who lugged out badly from the 4-hole & was later DQ’d for interference. With
a clear path, Magical Jess &
jockey Jaime Leos battled for the lead early on before crossing the finish line 3/4-length in front of Elicity, with
favored Lethal Class finishing 3rd. Trainer Mario Loza saddled Magical Jess for owner Ugo De La Torre, who previously trained the gelding’s sire, multiple Grade 1 winner One Sweet Jess. EG High Desert Farms bred Magical Jess, who is out of multiple stakes winner Magic And Rhythm si 103 ($116,545). She has produced 5 winners from 8 starters, and Magical Jess is her 1st stakes horse. Gustavo De La Torre repurchased Magical Jess for $12,000 at the 2015 Heritage Place Select Year- ling Sale. Starting his career at Turf Paradise, Magical Jess won a trial to the Desert Classic Futurity in his debut, then returned to finish 2nd by a neck in the finals on May 1. Leaving Phoenix for Ruidoso Downs, Magical Jess ran 2nd in a trial to the Ruidoso Futurity-G1, earning a spot in the Ruidoso Juvenile Invitational. He finished a troubled 3rd after being forced out and losing his path in the finals. The All American Futurity will be his 3rd stakes appearance and first Grade 1 attempt.
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4
36
SPEEDHORSE, September 2016
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3
Race record: 5-2-2(1)-1(1)
Magical Jess & Jaime Leos inch away to win their trial by 3/4-length
Day 1, Race #2
Linda Earley Linda Earley
Linda Earley
Linda Earley