Page 191 - September 2020

Firecracker Futurity-G2
HES INNOCENT
by John Moorehouse
The Firecracker Futurity-G2 stands out as the rich- est open-bred stakes race of the entire Quarter Horse meet at Delta Downs, and on Aug. 15 honors in the $371,415 event went to Hes Innocent, who remained undefeated with the outcome.
Going off at less than 2-1 odds at post time, Hes Innocent finished the futurity in :17.375— improving on his quality effort in qualifying—and generating a 96 speed index. The colt broke on top from the 2-post and led at every call in the race. He opened a commanding 2-length advantage
by the time he entered the stretch, then held off
a late charge by post-time favorite Whatahistoric Moment to hit the wire first by a neck.
Hes Innocent made his debut on June 20 at Delta Downs, winning a 250-yard maiden. He came back about a month later for the futurity trials, finishing his 350-yard run in :17.451 to win his trial and post the second-fastest time on the qualifying ladder. In his first-ever stakes race, however, Hes Innocent had no equal.
Priscilla Rodriguez owns the two-year- old colt, who’s made it to the winner’s circle after each of his three outs to date. The colt’s
victorious stakes debut secured a $185,708 payday that increased his total earn- ings to $196,208. Rodriguez purchased Hes Innocent
for $22,000 at last year’s Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale in Oklahoma City.
“When we first saw him,
he just looked beautiful,”
Rodriguez said. She noted
she and her husband, Jose,
also were drawn to buy Hes
Innocent because of his sire, Hes Relentless, an AQHA Champion 3-Year-Old Colt. Jorge Linares rode Hes Innocent to stakes victory.
The colt was bred by Debbie Strebig, who also owns his dam, End Of Innocence, a 2009 mare with four offspring—all starters. While all four have won races, Hes Innocent becomes the first to tally a victory in stakes company.
Whatahistoric Moment (FDD Going Grand-Jetblack Gold Moment), the fastest quali- fier, settled for second. Mercy Hinklin’s Horse
Farm owns the gelding, who
is trained by Lanny Keith and had Everardo Rodriguez in the irons. Whatahistoric Moment had a three-race win streak snapped that included a vic- tory in the July 4 running of the Old South Futurity.
FM Zatanas D
Third (Tempting Dash- Dashingfordestiny) finished in third for Annette Faul. Robi Meche is the trainer and
Antonio Alberto did the riding.
Rounding out the finishing order: Jess A
Candy Rogue (Apollitical Jess-All About The Candy) was fourth, followed by Mr JJ PVC Eagle (One Dashing Eagle-JB Mrs PYC), Luv (FDD Dynasty-Executive Promises), Thisladysrelentless (Hes Relentless-Valiant Lil Lady), Corona Finish (Corona Cartel- Theslatesclean), DD Runaway (Freighttrain B-Runaway Dee Dee) and Misswilliemae (Apollitical Jess-Fire Specialist).
RACING NEWS
Delta Downs $371,415 • 350 yards :17.373 • si 96
One Famous Eagle
Hes Relentless
This Dreams Flying
HES INNOCENT, ‘18-c.
Volcom
End Of Innocence
Mito Suzy
Hes Innocent and Jorge Linares win the $371,415 Firecracker Futurity-G2 at Delta Downs.
SPEEDHORSE September 2020 189
Coady Photography