Page 156 - November_2023

RACING NEWS
“The one thing about New Mexico racing is every time one wins, as a breeder, you get a little money in the mail,” Mac explained.
Under jockey Alan Hernandez, Bella De Ball came away on top. She led throughout the 400 yards. Though several were threatening her at the wire, Bella De Ball held them all off to score by a head in :19.400 for 400 yards.
“She really ran a super race,” said Mac. “Of course, she only won by a slight head, but the
Bella De Ball and Jockey Alan Hernandez in post parade.
thing that was really impressive to me is that she just kept trying and trying and trying. She just wasn’t going to give up.”
Bella De Ball has won three consecutive races, the streak beginning with a win in the July 23 Zia Juvenile Stakes at Ruidoso Downs. Mac praised the job trainer Wesley Giles has done with Bella De Ball, saying that Giles is “a really, really good horse trainer—as good as anybody.”
Added Mac, “Horses are just like people. Sometimes they win a race or two, and it kind
of gets their confidence built up. You can teach those horses to win and you can teach them to run back. And it’s a lot easier to teach them to run back than it is to teach them to win.”
MJ Farms raises 55-70 youngsters annually, offering them all for sale as yearlings, primarily in New Mexico. About the only time they keep one to race is when a horse either doesn’t reach
154 SPEEDHORSE November 2023
Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse
Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse