Page 82 - NM Spring 2019

SUNLAND PARK
by Michael Cusortelli
Dona Ana County Handicap (R)
Jesse James Jr
Mr Jess Perry
Loose Lips
Houstons Medallion
Mr Houston
Ruby Medallion
MARCUS MEDALLION
Making his 6-year-old season debut, Karina Aldavaz’s Marcus Medallion outran his 35-1 odds to win the Jan. 19, $85,000 Dona Ana County Handicap (R) for New Mexico-bred Quarter Horses at Sunland Park.
Marcus Medallion covered 440 yards in :21.183 while posting a 101 speed index, and his margin of victory was one length from 9-10 favor- ite Major Bites. Adrian Ramos rode the sorrel son of Jesse James Jr for trainer Jaime Aldavaz Jr.
Marcus Medallion was bred by Carl Jason Bailey. His sire, the stakes-winning Mr Jess Perry stallion Jesse James Jr, earned $167,275 from 21 starts while racing in New Mexico and California from 2003-06.
Jesse James Jr has sired the earners of more than $16.2 million from nine crops, includ- ing champion Astica and multiple graded stakes winners Osbaldo, Princess Jesse, Cinco Menudos, and Play Misty Foreme. A full brother to Grade 1 winner Jesstified, Jesse James Jr died from laminitis at the age of 16 on Aug. 24, 2017, but he can be bred to by frozen semen for a $3,000 fee at Mac and Janis Murray’s MJ Farms at Veguita, New Mexico.
Marcus Medallion is one of seven starters pro- duced by Houstons Medallion, a daughter of the
Dash For Cash stallion Mr Houston. Campaigned in New Mexico from 2001-03, Houstons Medallion banked $94,826 from 25 starts
and won the ’02 New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association Stakes (RG3) at Sunland Park.
Marcus Medallion’s third dam, the winning and Grade 3-placed Sail On Bunny mare Im Steppin Easy, was a finalist in the 1987 West Texas Futurity (G2).
Marcus Medallion was stretching out in distance off of his third-place finish, a neck behind winner Senator Fast Jack, in a 300- yard, $35,000 allowance sprint at Zia Park on December 16. A $20,000 claimer at Ruidoso Downs last September, the gelding has won four of 14 starts and has earned $133,467 while racing exclusively in New Mexico.
Mr Klee finished third, 1 1/4-lengths behind Marcus Medallion, and was followed by Rime Chimes, 5-2 second choice Percyjones, Magnifico Dragon, Cartels Star Daddy, Altitude Project, and Hollywoodcrown.
Major Bites earned the $17,000 runner-up share of the Dona Ana County Handicap purse for his owner, Israel Bordier. A 6-year-old son of Jesse James Jr, the bay gelding was com-
ing off of a third-place finish, 1 1/4-lengths
behind winner and two-time world champion Jessies First Down, in the 440-yard, $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park (G1) on
Dec. 30. Major Bites has won 10 of 28 outs and has earned $720,012, and his six stakes wins include the Dec. 2, $200,000 Zia Park Championship (G1), and the last two run- nings of the $170,000 Namehimastreaker New Mexico Cup Championship (RG1).
Mr Klee is a 5-year-old Jesse James Jr geld- ing owned by Sergio Holguin, who claimed Mr Klee for $20,000 on Dec. 15, 2017. The gelding has won three of 15 starts, and the $8,500 third-place share of the purse bumped his bankroll to $74,444.
80 New Mexico Horse Breeder