Page 168 - August 2017

Speedhorse Futurity-G3
POLITICAL ATTRACTION
by Tracy Gantz
World Champion Apollitical Jess’ prow-
ess as a sire is well-known. Breeder Ron Lyles capitalized on the stallion’s family when he crafted Political Attraction’s pedigree. Favorite Attraction, Apollitical Jess’ third dam, is also Political Attraction’s third dam, making Political Attraction inbred to Favorite Attraction 4x3.
The doubling up of such talented blood- lines is working. Political Attraction proved that with his scintillating victory in the July 29 Speedhorse Futurity-G3 at Fair Meadows.
Though he hadn’t won before his July 15 futu- rity trial, Political Attraction had finished third in the Easy Jet Stakes-RG3 at Remington Park. He so outclassed his rivals in his Speedhorse trial that he won by 1 3/4-lengths, qualifying the second fastest, behind only Bad Neighbor.
The ease of Political Attraction’s trial victory went a long way toward making him the 8-5 favorite in the final. The bettors got it right. With James Flores aboard, Political Attraction broke in fourth, but rushed into battle and grabbed the lead.
“He broke pretty good and kind of brushed with the five horse,” said Flores.
“They kind of bumped just a little bit. I didn’t think I was going to have to ride real hard. I thought I had plenty of horse under- neath me to win easy.”
Flores knew what he had. Political Attraction made short work of his rivals, drawing off to win by 1 1/2
lengths in :17.550 for the
350 yards.
“I just tapped him maybe once or twice just to be sure he was staying busy,” Flores said. “I don’t think I even had to do that. He did most of it on his own.”
Flores had a good night at Fair Meadows. He also piloted the Paint filly Expressions N Snow to vic- tory in the Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Futurity-G1.
The rider gave both of the
youngsters their first lessons under saddle.
“Political Attraction is a good horse and a fun horse to be around,” he said. “He caught on very
well and seemed to be a smart horse from day one of training. I really liked the way he moved.”
Flores has ridden Political Attraction in all but one of the gelding’s five races. After the jockey qualified Political Attraction for the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred
Futurity-RG2, he had decide who to ride because he
also qualified the filly La Vencedora, and she had the fastest time of the second day of trials.
“It was a real tough deci- sion to take off of him,” said Flores. “But I pulled off to ride his stablemate (who won).”
John Weghorst trains Political Attraction for owner Rogelio Marquez Jr. Lyles bred the gelding in Oklahoma and offered him for sale at the 2016 Heritage
Place Yearling Sale through Belle Mere
Farm Ltd. Terry McLean purchased Political Attraction for $10,000.
Fair Meadows $214,000 • 350 yards :17.550 • si 96
Mr Jess Perry
Apollitical Jess
Apollitical Time
POLITICAL ATTRACTION, ’15-g.
Separatist
Gunsight Peak
Tomatillo
Owned by Rogelio Marquez Jr., Political Attraction’s winning connections also include trainer John Weghorst & jockey James Flores
166 SPEEDHORSE, August 2017
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