Page 211 - Speedhorse, February 2019

Dona Ana County Handicap
MARCUS MEDALLION
by Michael Cusortelli
Marcus Medallion, racing for owner Karina Aldavaz, scored an upset victory in the $85,000 Dona Ana County Handicap for New
Mexico-breds at Sunland Park on January 19. Ridden by Adrian Ramos and sent to post at
odds of 35-1, Marcus Medallion broke well from the 3-post and took the lead by the top of the stretch. He covered 440 yards in :21.183 while posting a 101 speed index, and
his margin of victory was a clear 1-length over 9-10 favor- ite Major Bites. Jaime Aldavaz prepped Marcus Medallion, who earned $51,000 for his first career stakes victory.
The sorrel gelding was coming off a third-place finish in a 300-yard $35,000 allowance at Zia Park on December 16. He was
also a finalist in th 2018 Namehimastreaker New Mexico Classic-RG1.
Rio Grande Handicap
EYE N CAPO
by Michael Cusortelli
An $8,500 yearling purchase in 2015, Eye N Capo continues to pay dividends to his owner, Ruben Garcia Montemayor, as the geld- ing opened his 5-year-old 2019 campaign with a victory in the $50,000 Rio Grande Handicap at Sunland Park on Jan. 26.
Eye N Capo broke on the lead from the 10-post and remained on top throughout, crossing the wire a neck in front.
Under rider Jesse Levario, the gelding completed the 350 yards in :17.278, posting a 97 speed index.
Eye N Capo began his career on September 24, 2016, scoring a 1-length victory in a Dash For Cash Futurity-G2 trial at Lone Star Park for the fastest qualifying time from a
dozen heats. He has tasted success ever since. Two weeks later, Eye N Capo won the $376,076 finals, and he
Sunland Park $85,000 • 440 yards :21.183 • si 101
Mr Jess Perry
Jesse James Jr
Loose Lips
MARCUS MEDALLION, ‘13-g.
Mr Houston
Houstons Medallion
Ruby Medallion
Raced exclusively in New Mexico, Marcus Medallion has won four of 14 starts and has banked $133,467.
The gelding was bred by Carl Jason Bailey out of 2002 NMHBA Stakes-RG3 winner Houstons Medallion, who also ran fourth in the Manuel Lujan Handicap-RG3. The mare has produced 100% money earners from seven
starters. Marcus Medallion is her first stakes winner as well as her top earner.
Marcus Medallion’s third dam, the winning Sail On Bunny mare Im Steppin Easy, ran third in the 1989 Go Together Handicap-G3 at Ruidoso Downs and was a finalist in the 1987 West Texas Futurity-G2.
Major Bites (Jesse James Jr-Dyna Mo Rime) pocketed the $17,000 runner-up share of the Dona Ana County
purse to push his lifetime earnings to $720,012 from 28 races for his owner Israel Bordier. The 6-year-old gelding was making his season debut off a 3rd-place finish in the Championship at Sunland Park-G1 on Dec. 30. Esgar Ramirez rode Major Bites for trainer Jimmy Guerra.
Sergio Holguin’s Mr Klee (Jesse James Jr-Ms Klee) banked the $8,500 third-place share of the purse. Alan Hernandez rode the 5-year-old bay gelding for trainer Ricardo Armendariz.
Followed by Rime Chimes (Sign To Be
A Runaway-Rime Has A Chick), Percyjones (Jesse James Jr-Maggies Miracle Lx), Magnifico Dragon (Zulu Dragon-Cassies Mag), Cartels Star Daddy (Big Daddy Cartel-Chivato
Star), Altitude Project (Woodbridge-S L R Lonesomedove) & Hollywoodcrown (Heza Motor Scooter-Hollywood Gone).
from three starters. Eye N Capo is her first stakes winner and top earner.
Papaws Paint (PYC Paint Your Wagon- Heavenly Trip) was 2nd under Bonifacio Perez for R H Resources and trainer Todd Fincher. The gelding finished third in last year’s All American Derby-G1 and Rainbow Derby-G1.
Jacky Martin 21 (FDD Dynasty-Fleeting Touch) and Ricky Ramirez ran 3rd for the 21 Partnership and trainer Ricardo Armendariz.
Only Business (Dominyun-Teller Sheza Doll), Pitchin Woo (FDD Dynasty-Southern Fast Lady), Jess Botticelli (Genuine Botticelli- Jess Celebrating), A Special Dynasty (FDD Dynasty-A Special Favorite), Beyond 15 (Desirio-Featuring Senorita), Apollitical OK (Apollitical Jess-Taka Puna) and Double O Seven B (FDD Dynasty-Stellar Shay) com- pleted the order of finish.
ended his juvenile season with a neck victory in the $306,245 Evangeline Downs Futurity in Louisiana, banking $312,668 for the year. At three, Eye N Capo earned $62,192
from five starts in Oklahoma and Louisiana, running second in the $305,400 Remington Park Derby-RG3.
The gelding’s 2018 resume included a 1-length victory in the 440-yard $50,000
Sam Houston Classic Stakes-G2, and a dominat- ing 2 1/2-length score in the 400-yard $50,000 Miss Polly Classic-G3 at Delta Downs.
Raced in four states, Eye N Capo in total has now won 10 of 17 starts and he has banked $495,910 with the addition of the $30,000 winner’s share from the Rio Grande Handicap.
Eye N Capo was bred by Dee and Betty Raper out of winner Satisfeyen. The mare has produced 100% winners
Sunland Park $50,000 • 350 yards :17.278 • si 97
Corona Cartel
Capo De Capi
A Shot At Glory
EYE N CAPO, ‘14-g.
Mr Eye Opener
Satisfeyen
Miss Windy Bull
SPEEDHORSE, February 2019 207
RACING NEWS
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