Page 64 - 17 August 2012

Zia Derby-rG3
FUrY oF THe STorM
by Stacy Pigott
Fury Of The Storm has been on an absolute tear lately, winning five of his last six starts including three stakes races. His latest score
was in the $140,143 Zia Derby-RG3 on July 29 at Ruidoso Downs.
Owned by Jaime Dominguez, Fury Of The Storm tried the stakes route as a 2-year-old, but failed to qualify through any trial until the final month of the year, when he won a trial
to the Shue Fly Stakes-G2. By the time the finals ran on Jan. 7, the colt had already turned 3. That race was also a turning point in Fury Of The Storm’s career, as his sec- ond-place finish in the Shue Fly was followed by wins in the NMBHA Stakes-RG2 and the New Mexico Breeders’ Stakes-RG2.
He strung together a three-race winning streak by easily winning a trial to the
Zia Derby by 2 1/4 lengths with the third- fastest qualifying time for the finals.
Trained by Alex Sanchez, Fury Of The Storm drew post position nine for the Zia Derby. With Esgar Ramirez in the saddle, the Furyofthewind colt broke well and in mid- pack. Setting his mind to running, Fury Of The Storm simply grew stronger as the race got longer, overtaking all rivals to win the 400-
yard race by three-quarters of a length in :19.818.
Fury Of The Storm has now won six of 10 starts with earnings of $250,551. He is
one of only three foals for his dam, Bubbles Bunny, and is her leading earner and lone stakes winner. Bill and Sandy Miller bred the colt, and sold him
for $2,000 at the 2010 New Mexico Bred Yearling Sale.
Runner-up Caliente Colt (Corona Caliente-Perfect
Sevens) was the fastest qualifier to the Zia Derby. Patricia Gonzalez and Susan Kirker own the gelding, who is trained by Juan Gonzalez. Jaime Leos rode Caliente Colt, who has won five of seven starts in his career.
Show finisher Cheetah Woods (Stel Corona-Lady Jayne Cee) is owned by Abelardo Gallegos, trained by Ramon Ochoa, and had Jesse Levario in the irons.
The top three were followed by Gotta
Get Two (Celadon-Chicory Glass), Who
Rae (Sixes Royal-Madie Rae), First Blazin Love (Chicks A Blazin-Love At First Glance), a dead-heat between RCJ Major Storm (Brookstone Bay-Major Kia) and Angelina Fame (Furyofthewind-Flame Ta Fame), Fleurs Corona (Stel Corona-Fleurs First Down), and Eye Am Blazin (Chicks A Blazin-Eye Am Forever Yours).
Ruidoso Downs $140,143 • 400 yards :19.818 • si 87
Corona Cartel
Furyofthewind
Dashing Phoebe
FURY OF THE STORM, ’09-c.
Sail On Bunny
Bubbles Bunny
A Smooth Bubble
Racing news
Zia Handicap-rG2
GeNUINe AMerICAN
by Stacy Pigott
At age 8, Genuine American is not only still going strong, if anything, he is getting better. The Genuine Strawfly gelding recently won his second stakes race in the $50,000 Zia Handicap-RG2, making his third trip to the winner’s circle this year.
Trained by Carl Draper for his wife, Fredda, Genuine American just missed in last year’s Zia Handicap, settling for second behind Jenuine Joy. This year, the
gelding refused to be denied.
Ridden by Esgar Ramirez, Genuine American reared in the gates prior to the start of the Zia Handicap but settled down as the
gates opened. He took a
few strides to get rolling, ceding the early lead to
Here Kittykittykitty. Once Genuine American found his best stride, however, there was no stopping him. The
62 SPEEDHORSE, August 17, 2012
veteran dashed to the front of the field and remained there to the wire, finishing a head in front of Here Kittykittykitty, with Klassic Strawfly a neck back in third.
Genuine American stopped the clock in :19.782 for the 400 yards to earn $30,000 of the total purse. In his career, he has banked $314,068 while winning 10 of 33 starts.
Before Genuine American’s dam, All American Beauty, was sold to
Brazil, she produced stakes- placed Special American, an earner of $144,716 and a half- brother to Genuine American, and her only other winner from four starters. This is the same maternal family that is responsible for leading sire Dash For Perks.
Melvin Neugebauer’s Here Kittykittykitty (Genuine Strawfly-One Diamond
Cat) was making his first
start since winning the Mesilla Valley Speed Handicap on March 11 and ran a good race to finish second. Wes Giles trains the 5-year-old gelding, who was ridden by Jorge Bourdieu.
Klassic Strawfly (Genuine Strawfly-A Classic Song) won the Jimmy Drake Stakes in his last start for owner-trainer Ronald Stephens. Macario Rodriguez was again aboard the 6-year-old gelding.
Completing the order of finish were De Genuine Queen (Genuine Strawfly-Queen Of Soul), Snow Regard (Chicks Regard-Sha Hooy Hooy), Neversaynever (Woodbridge- Numbered Lady-TB), Mightys Last Call (Calligrapher-Might Be A First), and Brookstone Flash (Brookstone Bay-Flashy Heifer). Genuine Strawfly was represented by four horses of the eight horses in the Zia Handicap, and swept the top four spots.
Ruidoso Downs $50,000 • 400 yards :19.782 • si 88
Strawfly Special
Genuine Strawfly
High Fashion Dash
GENUINE AMERICAN,’04-g.
Streakin Six
All American Beauty
Lady Classic Cash
ruidoso Downs ruidoso Downs