Page 162 - August 2017

Lee Berwick Futurity-G1
DASHNUNDER AFULLMOON
by Tracy Gantz
Rogelio Marquez Jr. has encountered
several instances of good luck regarding Dashnunder Afullmoon. But the filly displayed
sheer talent when she captured the $705,495 Lee Berwick Futurity-G1 at Delta Downs.
“We are so blessed,” said Marquez, who not only owns Dashnunder Afullmoon, but he also owns Lee Berwick Futurity third place finisher TF El Whiskey.
Marquez’s luck began, he said, when he selected Dashnunder Afullmoon out of the 2016 Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders’ Association Yearling Sale.
“She sold for $44,500,” Marquez said. “When she was at $44,000, we thought, ‘oh she’s going up; let’s just bid $500 more.’ We bid $44,500, and she stayed there. Ever since we got her, luck’s been on our side.” Dashnunder Afullmoon was the fast-
est qualifier after a 1 3/4-length win in the fourth of 15 Lee Berwick Futurity trials heats on June 17. Marquez also qualified TF El Whiskey, who also won his trial heat, scoring a 1/2-length victory.
“Dashnunder Afullmoon was in the fourth trial and had a blazing time right away,” said Marquez.
“I was pretty sure she made enough time to get in, which was kind of a stress reliever,” he continued. “Then Whiskey comes and runs a heckuva race and he gets in, too. Having two in the biggest futurity at Delta Downs is something.”
Dashnunder Afullmoon went off as the even-money favorite in the July 8 finals with Eddie Sanchez aboard.
Drawn in the 10-post on the outside, Dashnunder Afullmoon broke in midpack. The filly was in second at the top of the stretch, 1/2-length behind then-leader You Drive I Fly. Dashnunder Afullmoon flew by her rival with an impressive rally to win the 350-yard race by 1/2-length in :17.481.
TF El Whiskey also closed ground late, get- ting third as You Drive I Fly nabbed second.
Dashnunder Afullmoon remains unde- feated from four starts and has already amassed an impressive $527,089 bankroll.
“The whole way we joked around that we were going to hit the Exacta, and we almost did it,” said Marquez.
“The horse that came in second is a heckuva horse,” the owner continued. “At least we know we have two good ones. I can’t say enough about Dashnunder Afullmoon.”
Sanchez added, “She is an amazing filly.”
Marquez and trainer
Jose Sanchez’s luck with Dashnunder Afullmoon also held earlier in her career.
She began by breaking her maiden in the tri-
als to the LQHBA Lassie Futurity-G2. The filly won her trial by a neck, but
her jockey, J.R. Ramirez, lost his whip when he and another jockey’s whips collided.
Dashnunder Afullmoon tied for the 10th- fastest time, and Marquez won a shake for the last spot in the final.
With Eddie Sanchez aboard, she won the LQHBA Lassie Futurity-RG2 by a head.
“She is a once-in-a-lifetime horse,” said Marquez. “This is a team effort with my dad; everyone in Louisiana has welcomed us, and we will never forget this.”
Marquez selected Dashnunder Afullmoon out of the sale because he especially liked the bottom side of her pedigree.
“Her second dam, Nagano Moon, has proven that she’s one of the great broodmares,” said Marquez. Stakes placed Nagano Moon’s stakes winners include Champion First Moonflash, Dash Ta Moon, Moonifisant, Mesa Moonlight and Full Moon Dasher - the dam of Dashnunder Afullmoon.
D & S Racing LLC bred Dashnunder Afullmoon in Louisiana out of Full Moon Dasher, winner of the 2011
Four Corners Senora Stakes at SunRay Park. She also finished third in the 2011 Ruidoso Distaff Challenge and was a finalist in that year’s New Mexico Fillies & Mares Challenge-RG1.
The mare has produced 100% money earn- ers from five starters, including stakes-placed Jen And Vodka. Dashnunder Afullmoon, however, is her first stakes winner as well as her top earner.
“Full Moon Dasher ran a 114 speed index,” said Marquez of the mare.
“I always like for their mom to be an excep- tional runner or a proven producer,” the owner
Delta Downs $705,495 • 350 yards :17.481 • si 95
Heza Fast Man
Heza Fast Dash
First Prize Dash
DASHNUNDER AFULLMOON, ’15-f.
Dash Ta Fame
Full Moon Dasher
Nagano Moon
160 SPEEDHORSE, August 2017
Dashnunder Afullmoon & Eddie Sanchez rally to win the $705,495 Lee Berwick Futurity-G1
RACING NEWS
Nicole Cormier/Coady Photography