Page 148 - August2020.indd

RACING NEWS
Zia Derby-RG2
MISTER RIPTIDE
by Danny Camp
Mister Riptide rode the current to the finish line in the finals of the $183,073 Zia Quarter Horse Derby-RG2 at Ruidoso Downs
on July 25.
The sorrel gelding won his July 11 trial heat
and came into the finals with the eighth fastest qualifying time. In the finals, he loaded up into the 5-post and overcame a bump at the start. He didn’t let that distract
him, and with the help of veteran rider Ricky Ramirez, they powered down the stretch and finished a neck
in front. Trained by Duke Shults, the gelding completed the 400 yards in :19.885 to earn a 90 speed index.
Owned by Mark and Annette McCloy, Mister Riptide earned the first place check worth $76,891, which ups his total earnings to $743,498, and his race record
Old South Futurity
now stands at 8-6(2)-1(1)-0. He ran second in the All American Futurity-G1 last year.
MJ Farms bred Mister Riptide out of
Sam Houston Distaff Challenge winner Ms Riptide. She has produced 100% money earn- ers from five starters.
“Mister Riptide is a professional” stated jockey Ramirez. “He doesn’t have to be lucky
because he makes his own luck. We had a lane to run and down the track a horse was making a move, so I asked him, and he responded. He is professional in every way, he’s a great ride.”
Ramirez went on to say, “Trainer Duke Shults has been associated with the Blane Wood Barn for a long time.
It was not out of the ordinary for him to take over the train- ing. We are looking forward to the All American Derby.”
Close To Crazy (Jesse James Jr-Da Edge) came into the finals with the second fastest time and ran true to form. She banked the second place check for owner Bella Valenzuela and trainer Juan Gonzalez. Adrian Ramos was in the saddle.
Fastest qualifier Donelli (Big Daddy Cartel-Tres Of Alice) ran a gritty race under Alan Hernandez to bank third place money for owner MJ Farms and trainer Wes Giles.
Flashing Moolah (First Moonflash-
Chicks Chamisa), First Neon Moon (First Moonflash-My Soul Mate), Doinwhateverittakes (Jesscuzican-Reacorona), Bigg Jack (Big Daddy Cartel-Jessiana), Stominado (First Moonflash- Diamonds N Rainbows), Dark Moon (First Moonflash-Special Dark Ivory) and Colby James (Jesse James Jr-Sandy June Bug) com- pleted the order of finish.
Whatahistoric Moment, who becomes the first member of the brood to join her in black type.
Card One Starter (Docs Best Card-Stable Dancer) was second under Agustin Silva for Jose Guzman & trainer Alonso Neri. When Eagles Fly (One Dashing Eagle-Chrome Hussy) was third under Eddie Sanchez for John Saldana & Miguel Chavez and trainr Arturo Davila III. Followed by Jess A Candy Rogue (Apollitical Jess-All About The Candy), KK Blue Wagon (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Sandra Sue Blue), FM Zatanas D Third (Tempting Dash-Dashingfordestiny), Hennessy XO
TLC (The Louisiana Cartel-XO Kate), and Coronado Hussle (Coronado Cartel-Miss Jess Corona), who was DQ’d from 6th to 8th. Mr JJ PVC Eagle (One Dashing Eagle-JB Mrs PYC) lost his rider. Captain scratched.
WHATAHISTORIC MOMENT
by John Moorehouse
When Whatahistoric Moment made his debut in March at Louisiana Downs, trainer Lanny Keith thought the gelding had potential. The two year old then spent about three months on the sidelines, a layoff influenced at least in part by the COVID-19 pandemic. He came back to action in June for the Old South Futurity trials, winning his heat and returning to win the $151,255 finals on
July 4 at Delta Downs.
The gelding showed plenty
of talent in the Old South Futurity. He was fourth at the first call and a close second by the time he entered the stretch, continuing his rally all the way to the wire for a neck win.
Everardo Rodriguez was up for the stakes-winning run, completing the 330 yards in :16.541 for a 97 speed index.
“He got a good clean trip and looked really good in the
trials and really ran well going down the track. I thought we had a shot tonight if we could just get out clean, because it looked like he was going to be able to go the distance,” Keith said.
Keith also spoke about how COVID-19 has disrupted racing in Louisiana. Schedule changes included the 2020 Fair Grounds meet moving to Evangeline Downs and necessitated the closure
of Delta Downs earlier this year. “It’s been a struggle here this year,” he said. “The virus shut us down and we’ve just been trying to play catchup. It’s been tough all year. We needed [a win] for sure.”
Mercy Hinklin’s Horse Farm LLC home-bred Whatahistoric Moment, who holds 2 wins
in 3 starts. The $75,628 prize increased his earnings to $79,211. Hinklin also home- bred stakes winner Jetblack Gold Moment, the dam of
146 SPEEDHORSE August 2020
Ruidoso Downs $183,073 • 400 yards :19.885 • si 90
Dash Ta Fame
Woodbridge
Champagne Lane
MISTER RIPTIDE, ‘17-g.
Ocean Runaway
Ms Riptide
Sixes Ms Perry
Delta Downs $151,255 • 330 yards :16.541 • si 97
FDD Dynasty
FDD Going Grand
Cash Cartel
WHATAHISTORIC MOMENT, 18-g.
Jet Black Patriot
Jetblack Gold Moment
Royally Streak
Coady Photography Ruidoso Downs