Page 159 - November_2023

Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse Dustin Orona Photography
A Tres Of Eagle’s winning connections include owner Bella Vista Farms LLC, trainer Eddie Lee Willis and jockey Francisco Calderon.
“Francisco said that the ground kind of went out from underneath him at the start, but then he got his feet rolling. It took all 440 yards to get him rolling, but he did good.”
“Our goal was to get to Ruidoso, but she couldn’t quite make it,” Fred said. “So, we stayed at home. I don’t know if he’s going to make it out to California. I hope so.”
The Helmuths divide their time between Illinois and Florida, so California would be
a long trip. But it would be worth it because
the Challenge Championship comes with
a provisional berth to the Champion of Champions-G1. Fred knows that A Tres Of Eagle will have to face the likes of World Champion Empressum and two-time Champion of Champions winner Apollitical Pence.
“There are a bunch of good horses going to
be in the Champion of Champions, as well as it should be,” Fred said. “We’re going out there to win. There are going to be nine other people there with the same intention. But one thing I do know is this: If we don’t go, I know we won’t win.”
A Tres Of Eagle, trained by Eddie Lee (Bubba) Willis, will be bringing a good record. The Oklahoma-bred has won the 2023 Dee Raper Sooner State Stakes-RG1, Mr Jet Moore Stakes-RG2, and Bank of America Arapahoe Park Championship Challenge.
The Helmuths bought A Tres Of Eagle in 2020, the pandemic year in which the Ruidoso sale was held at the Lazy E Ranch.
“We went to look at A Tres Of Paint’s babies, and Bubba kept going back saying he
really liked this one,” Fred said. “So we bought him for $40,000.”
A Tres Of Paint is a homebred stakes winner for The Mixer Ranch, which also bred A Tres Of Eagle. The mare has produced seven winners from nine starters, including stakes winner A Dash Of Sign.
Apollitical Redflash (Apollitical Jess- Chalala), ridden by Jorge Torres, trained by Clinton Crawford, and owned by Cavenaugh Quarter Horses, finished second. One Fabulous
Boy (One Fabulous Eagle-Check Out Kaelie), owned by Paul Wolfe and bred by Paul and Diane Wolfe, ran third. Angel Ramirez piloted the 4-year-old gelding for trainer Edward Hardy.
Completing the field were A Famous Ribbon (One Famous Eagle-Fast Prize Ribbon), Nothin
Like You (Favorite Cartel-Whos Kissin Carter), Apolinaria Prize (Fast Prize Cartel-SS Calendar Girl), Indeed (Wagon Tales-Dancing Iam), DM Moonpie (Moonin The Eagle-DM Bella Mia), and DF Storm Tales (Wagon Tales-Storm’s Promise TB).
Carolyn and Fred Helmuth of Bella Vista Farms, LLC are the winning owners of A Tres Of Eagle.
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