Page 183 - November_2023

DRANK LIKE HANK
Rby John Moorehouse
eturning to the winner’s circle for the first time
since his debut out, Drank Like Hank APHA prevailed by a neck in the $84,200 Pot O’ Gold Futurity-G1, held Oct. 2 at Will Rogers Downs. De Rae Racing LLC’s home-bred Drank Like Hank and he finished his 350-yard trip in :17.494 and logged a 102 speed index to defeat a mixed field of Paints and Appaloosas.
Trained by Matt Whitekiller, Drank Like Hank now holds two wins in seven starts. The $32,546 payday improved the rookie gelding’s total bankroll to $46,674.
Salvador Martinez had the riding assignment. Drank Like Hank broke from the No. 2 gate, led by a head at the first call, opened a 1/2-length separation going into the stretch, then held on at the wire.
Bred in Oklahoma, Drank Like Hank is out
of the lightly raced mare Irish Vendetta. She has produced 100% winners from two starters including Hold My Beer, a Grade 1 finalist and full brother to Drank Like Hank.
Mighty Mocha APHA (Painted Turnpike- Mighty Chicka) finished second for owner Jay Ross. The Dee Kenee trainee had Jesus Salazar aboard.
Storms Livewire APHA (CRM Livewire-Storm’s Promise) placed third for owner Edith Gutierrez Velasco and trainer Michelle Hurdle. Javier Hernandez-Gallardo did the riding.
The remaining order of finish was Wired Red Head APHA (CRM Livewire-Dancing Red Head QH), Ivory Turnpike Two APHA (Ivory James QH-High Class Turnpike), WF Wirememoney APHA (CRM Livewire-Tax Time Judy), Tess The Wire APHA (CRM Livewire-Princess Friona), Pevs Wire To Wire APHA (CRM Livewire-PV Queen Bee QH), The Nine One Eight APHA (Painted Turnpike-Sayonara), and JS Apollitical Chick APHA (Mr Apollitical Dash QH-Imachickenkicker).
AJ FAST CORONA & BIG CANEY
JT TRUE GRIT
by John Moorehouse
J
capturing the $92,471 John Deere Will Rogers Downs Juvenile Challenge on Oct. 1.
With the win, JT True Grit qualified for the John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship, scheduled for Oct. 21 as part of Bank of America Challenge Championship night, being held at Lone Star Park.
The betting favorite at odds just under 3-2 at post time, JT True Grit won with relative ease. The gelding broke on top from the No. 7 gate, led by a neck at the first call, widened the gap to a full length entering the stretch, then coasted to a 1 1/4-length victory. Roman Cruz had the riding assignment, as JT True Grit finished the 350-yard trip in :17.394 for a 104 speed index.
Jeffrey Allen Tyer owns, bred, and trains the two-year-old gelding, who reached the winner’s circle for the fifth time in eight career starts. JT True Grit already had black type, placing third in the Speedhorse Futurity-G3 in July.
Tyer also owns Redneck Kitty, the dam of JT True Grit. She wrapped her competitive career with six wins in 24 outs and a $72,423 bankroll.
Two longshots also hit the board. JC Wild Queen (Apollitical Jess-Oh Cherokee Rose), at 35-1 odds, finished 1 1/2-lengths clear for second place. The filly is owned by Jose Cervantes, trained by Waylan Melton, and had Bryan Candanosa in the irons.
Cartel Night (Five Bar Cartel-Night Lines), a 55-1 underdog, finished third for Burke Teeter. The Clay Teeter trainee had Nakia Teeter aboard.
The remaining order of finish was Ray Ray Soldier (BV Travelin Soldier-Bye Bye Rayburn), Gabriel (Hes Relentless-Twisted Dash), Vintage Candy (Jess Good Candy-Turnin Back Time), Sticky Lou Who (Big Lew-Sydney Lou Who), Socially Fun (FDD Dynasty-Socially Significant), Shes Reagle (Hes Relentless-Wicked Paris), and Lett It Be (One Fabulous Eagle-Lett Her Zoom).
y Elle Summers bA
T True Grit added a stakes win to an already
impressive body of work in his rookie year,
J Fast Corona and Big Caney finished in a
dead heat in the $56,380 Adequan Will Rogers Downs Derby Challenge on Oct. 1. The three- year-olds crossed the 400 yard field in :19.925, both recording a 93 speed index.
Ridden by Jorge Torres, AJ Fast Corona led throughout the stretch for owners Kim Paulsen and Tom Maher and trainer Jason Olmstead. AJ Fast Corona was bred by Rancho El Cabresto Inc. and is out of stakes producing mare Fast Prize Corona.
Guided by Erik Esqueda, Big Caney made a big late run and gained ground in the stretch. This is Big Caney’s first stakes victory and first win since breaking his maiden in July. The brown gelding
is owned by Luis Escobedo and trained by Lucio Espiritu. Bred by Fred Kaminska, Big Caney is the only starter out of unraced Dash For Jess.
Fox News (FDD Dynasty-Summer Love Song) took home third place for owner Tom Maher and trainer Jason Olmstead. Edwin Escobedo had the riding assignment
Free From Corona (Mr Jess Perry-Aquafina), Meet Me Out Back (Dominyun-Dianetogetcha), One Sweet FDD (FDD Dynasty-One Sweet Sign), Valiant Livy (Valiant Hero-Jess Sass Me), and Louisianafamouseagle (One Famous Eagle-Louisiana Eye Opener) followed. Pappacito and Sug La Blue were scratched.
RACING NEWS
SPEEDHORSE November 2023 181
Pot O’Gold P&A Futurity-G1
Adequan WRD Derby Chal.
John Deere WRD Juvenile Chal.
Will Rogers Downs • $56,381
400 yards • :19.925 • SI 93
Mr Jess Perry
Apollitical Time Corona Cartel
Fast First Prize
PYC Paint Your Wagon
A Delightful Legacy
Take Off Jess
Apollitical Jess
AJ FAST CORONA, ‘20-f. Fast Prize Corona
Painted Dash BIG CANEY, ‘20-g.
Dash For Jess
Holland Dash
Coady Photography
Coady Photography
Coady Photography
Will Rogers Downs • $84,200
350 yards • :17.494 • SI 102
Cartel Success QH
CRM Livewire
Elaina Go Go
DRANK LIKE HANK APHA, ‘21-g.
First Smart Money
Irish Vendetta QH
Opening Number TB
Will Rogers Downs • $92,471
350 yards • :17.934 • SI 104
Corona Cartel
A Shot At Glory Country Chicks Man Kitty D Ville
Capo De Capi
JT TRUE GRIT, ‘21-g. Redneck Kitty