Page 59 - 17 August 2012

Governor’s Cup Derby-rG2
TerrIFIC SYNerGY
by Tracy Gantz
When Terrific Synergy stepped into the ring at the 2010 Los Alamitos yearling sale, he didn’t attract a lot of attention. But Billy Smith and Pat Guthrie had raced his sire, FDD Dynasty, with Vessels Stallion Farm, and they liked him.
“He had a problem in one eye, and people were laying off of him some,”
said Guthrie. “We didn’t
think that was a problem,
and we got a very good buy.” The partners paid
$27,000 for Terrific Synergy, a price that looked like a great bargain after the July 28 Governor’s Cup Derby-RG2 at Los Alamitos. The gelding earned $91,350 and proved he was much the best, win- ning the same race that his sire captured five years ago
to the day and with the same jockey, G.R. Carter Jr.
Terrific Synergy didn’t initially follow his sire’s path. FDD Dynasty was a champion at two, but while Terrific Synergy qualified for three million-dollar futurities, he never man- aged to win or place in one.
“He had suspensory problems as a 2-year- old,” said Smith. “We turned him out after the (Los Alamitos) Two Million.”
Away from the races for seven months, Terrific Synergy returned sound and ready to go as a 3-year-old.
“This year he is 100% sound, and things are completely different with him,” said trainer Cody Joiner. “There are no little injuries to worry us. He would often get a little appre- hensive in the starting gate last year because
he was worried that he would get bumped around. Now that he’s healthy, he has a completely new confidence. His mind has
also developed, and he’s a more mature and stronger horse.”
That confidence was in evidence dur-
ing the July 14 Derby trials, when Terrific Synergy won his heat by 2 1/4 lengths and was the fastest qualifier. And while he triumphed in the final by a lesser margin—1 3/4 lengths—there was no doubt about who was best. He broke third, hustled right to the front, and won with ease in a time of :19.489 for the 400 yards.
“At 75 yards we were even, and then he just started pulling away,” said Carter. “He was
running away from them. I wish everyone could experience that feeling because it’s great.”
Smith and Guthrie high-fived each other in the winner’s circle and are looking forward to more visits there in the future.
“He’s matured a lot between his 2- and 3-year-old year,” said Guthrie. “He’s gotten tall. He’s quick, and we’re
looking for good things for him this year.”
In 2007, FDD Dynasty defeated older horses in the Go Man Go Handicap-G1 and finished third in the Champion of Champions-G1. Smith, Guthrie, and Joiner are thinking of those same two races for Terrific Synergy, despite the possibility of World Champion Cold Cash 123 targeting the same ones. The Go Man Go is slated
for Sept. 23 and will carry a berth to the Champion of Champions.
Smith and Guthrie bought Terrific Synergy at the yearling sale from the Parsons Family Limited Partnership, and the youngster was bred in the name of the Parsons Family Trust. He is out of Terrific Energy, who won the
2009 Charger Bar Handicap-G1 and Mildred N. Vessels Memorial Handicap-G1 at Los Alamitos. Terrific Synergy is the mare’s first foal and only starter, though she has a 2011 Walk Thru Fire colt named Precious Energy. The second dam, unraced First Down Energy, is a full sister to champion Tiny First Effort and Grade 1 winner Tiny First Down.
S-Quarter K LLC’s Ima Chickie Two (Chicks Beduino-First Down Dream) outfin- ished Kindly Fellow (TR Dasher-Kindhearted) by a head for second. Ramon Sanchez piloted Ima Chickie Two for trainer Jose Flores.
The filly won the 2011 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity-G2.
Cruz Mendez rode Kindly Fellow, who is owned by Berenisse and Marlyn Gonzalez and trained by Guillermo Morales. Kindly Fellow finished second in the 2011 Ed Burke Million Futurity-G1.
Pony Drive (Hawkinson-Streakit Special), ran fourth, and was followed by Eye For
Fdd (First Down Dash-Eye For Corona),
New Look (Walk Thru Fire-Make Over), Sompin About First (First Down Dash- Sompinlikaglass), Chicks Boudro (Chicks Beduino-Beat Your Pants Off), and Shes Prime Time (Hawkinson-Sweet Beduino). Curlie Cue was scratched.
Los Alamitos $217,500 • 400 yards :19.489 • si 92
First Down Dash
FDD Dynasty
Dinastia Toll
TERRIFIC SYNERGY, ’09-g.
Mr Jess Perry
Terrific Energy
First Down Energy
Terrific Synergy and G.R. Carter Jr. raced to a 1 3/4-length win in the $217,500 Governor’s Cup Derby.
SPEEDHORSE, August 17, 2012 57
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